Endpoint hardening

Endpoint hardening means configuring settings to reduce the attack surface of endpoints and make them more difficult for attackers to exploit.

Note

The attack surface represents the combined points where an unauthorized user might attempt to input, extract, or manipulate data and control essential devices or software within a given environment. Minimizing the attack surface is a fundamental security precaution.

In the last 10 years, there have been notable shifts in the way organizations conduct their operations. The COVID-19 pandemic in particular spurred a surge in remote work, leading to a rise in the use of end user devices such as laptops, tablets, and desktops outside conventional office settings. Consequently, the effective management and security of these devices have become increasingly crucial.

Termed endpoints or clients, these devices serve as vulnerable entry points for numerous cyber-attacks, acting as gatekeepers to an organization’...