As technology continues to advance, the number of connected devices in enterprises is increasing rapidly. According to a forecast by International Data Corporation (IDC), there will be 42 billion IoT devices in 2025, capable of generating 80 zettabytes (ZB) of data.. With so many devices in use, enterprises are facing new challenges in terms of security and device management. It has become increasingly important for organizations to extend their detection capabilities to every managed and unmanaged connected device across their enterprise. In this article, we will explore the different ways in which organizations can achieve this goal and the benefits of doing so.
Why Is It Important to Extend Detection to Every Managed and Unmanaged Connected Device?
With the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), organizations are facing an increasing number of cybersecurity threats. These threats can come from various sources, including malware, ransomware, phishing attacks, and more. To protect themselves from these threats, organizations need to have comprehensive visibility into their networks and connected devices. This means that they need to be able to detect and respond to threats across all devices, including managed and unmanaged ones.
Managed devices are those that are owned and managed by the organization, such as desktops, laptops, and mobile devices. These devices are typically connected to the organization’s network and are subject to its security policies. Unmanaged devices, on the other hand, are those that are not owned or managed by the organization, such as personal devices brought in by employees or third-party devices used by contractors or vendors. These devices can pose a significant security risk as they may not be subject to the organization’s security policies and may have vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers.
By extending detection to every managed and unmanaged connected device across an enterprise, organizations can gain comprehensive visibility into their networks and detect threats in real-time. This allows them to respond quickly and effectively to security incidents and reduce the risk of data breaches and other cybersecurity incidents.
How Can Organizations Extend Detection to Every Managed and Unmanaged Connected Device?
There are several ways in which organizations can extend their detection capabilities to every managed and unmanaged connected device across their enterprise. Let’s explore some of these methods:
Network Segmentation
One way to extend detection to every managed and unmanaged connected device is through network segmentation. Network segmentation involves dividing a network into smaller, more manageable segments or subnetworks. By doing so, organizations can create different security zones for different devices or groups of devices. For example, an organization may create a separate network segment for IoT devices, which may be more vulnerable to attacks. By doing so, the organization can apply different security policies to different segments and detect threats more effectively.
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) is another way to extend detection to every managed and unmanaged connected device. EDR solutions are designed to monitor endpoint devices, such as desktops, laptops, and mobile devices, for suspicious activity. By doing so, they can detect and respond to threats in real-time, before they can cause damage. EDR solutions can also provide organizations with visibility into their networks, including unmanaged devices that may be connected to their networks.
Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) solutions can help organizations extend detection to cloud-based applications and services. These solutions are designed to monitor cloud-based applications and services for suspicious activity, such as unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and more. By doing so, they can detect and respond to threats in real-time, regardless of where the user or device is located. CASB solutions can also provide organizations with visibility into their cloud-based applications and services, including those that are accessed from unmanaged devices.
Mobile Device Management (MDM)
Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions can help organizations extend detection to mobile devices, which are often used by employees to access sensitive corporate data. MDM solutions allow organizations to monitor and manage mobile devices, including those that are not owned by the organization. By doing so, they can enforce security policies, such as device encryption, password protection, and remote wipe, to protect against unauthorized access or data breaches. MDM solutions can also provide visibility into the security status of mobile devices, including those that are not connected to the organization’s network.
Internet of Things (IoT) Security
IoT devices are becoming increasingly prevalent in enterprises, but they can also pose a significant security risk. IoT devices often have limited processing power and memory, which can make them vulnerable to attacks. IoT devices also tend to have weak or default passwords, which can be easily exploited by attackers. To extend detection to every managed and unmanaged connected device, organizations need to implement IoT security measures, such as secure firmware updates, device authentication, and access control.
Business Cases and Case Studies
There are many benefits to extending detection to every managed and unmanaged connected device across an enterprise. By doing so, organizations can improve their overall security posture, reduce the risk of data breaches and other cybersecurity incidents, and comply with regulatory requirements. Let’s take a look at some business cases and case studies that illustrate the benefits of extending detection capabilities.
Healthcare Industry
The healthcare industry is particularly vulnerable to cybersecurity threats, as patient data is highly sensitive and valuable to attackers. To protect patient data, healthcare organizations need to extend detection capabilities to every managed and unmanaged connected device, including medical devices and wearables. By doing so, they can detect and respond to threats in real-time, before they can cause damage. For example, a healthcare organization implemented an EDR solution that allowed them to detect and respond to ransomware attacks on their endpoints. As a result, they were able to prevent data loss and reduce the risk of costly regulatory fines.
Financial Services Industry
The financial services industry is another sector that is highly targeted by cybercriminals. To protect against attacks, financial institutions need to extend detection capabilities to every managed and unmanaged connected device, including mobile devices and cloud-based applications. By doing so, they can detect and respond to threats in real-time, before they can cause damage. For example, a financial institution implemented a CASB solution that allowed them to monitor their cloud-based applications for suspicious activity. As a result, they were able to prevent unauthorized access and data exfiltration, reducing the risk of costly regulatory fines.
Manufacturing Industry
The manufacturing industry is also facing an increasing number of cybersecurity threats, as more and more manufacturing processes become automated and connected. To protect against attacks, manufacturers need to extend detection capabilities to every managed and unmanaged connected device, including IoT devices and industrial control systems. By doing so, they can detect and respond to threats in real-time, before they can cause damage. For example, a manufacturer implemented an IoT security solution that allowed them to secure their industrial control systems against attacks. As a result, they were able to prevent downtime and improve overall production efficiency.
Conclusion
As the number of connected devices in enterprises continues to increase, it has become increasingly important for organizations to extend their detection capabilities to every managed and unmanaged connected device. By doing so, organizations can improve their overall security posture, reduce the risk of data breaches and other cybersecurity incidents, and comply with regulatory requirements. To achieve this goal, organizations can leverage various technologies, such as network segmentation, EDR, CASB, MDM, and IoT security. By implementing these technologies, organizations can gain comprehensive visibility into their networks and detect threats in real-time, before they can cause damage.
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