Endpoint security is becoming a major buzz word in the corporate world. The traditional SSL VPN network infrastructure is going through a major transformation due to the introduction of endpoint security concept in the corporate IT world. Basically endpoint security is an advanced type of information security system which protects every endpoint system that is connected in the company or an organization network.
It is a type of network protection which grants access to every type of computing device connected in the corporate network. But there are certain corporate data protection policies that have to be complied by those computing devices connected in the network for data access. These endpoint systems mainly consist of devices such as laptops, computers, smart phones, tablets, along with specially designed electronic devices such as POS (Point of Sale) terminals and bar code readers.
How endpoint security functions in the corporate network?
Endpoint security mainly consists of client/server computing model. In this working model, there is a host machine or it can also be called as a server machine. This centrally managed server machine is basically used as a control hub where all the data security programs are stored and monitored. On the other side, a security client program is installed on different endpoint systems such as laptops and smart phones which are used by the company employees at different places. This network can be considered as a Virtual LAN (VLAN) area.
Whenever any user using endpoint system try to log on to the network and try to access the company data, the server security program first validates and authenticates the endpoint system user credentials. It also scans the endpoint system device to confirm the data access level assigned to the particular endpoint system device.
After making sure that the particular endpoint system device is following the right corporate security policies, the server security program provides the pre-defined data access to the endpoint system users. To get approval on the company data network, the endpoint security system needs approved operating system to be installed on the endpoint system devices along with right VPN client program and properly updated antivirus program to be installed on the client device. If any endpoint system is found to be not following the pre-defined corporate security policies then the server program provides only limited access to the endpoint users.
Sometimes, endpoint system users are also denied access to the entire VLAN network due to their lack of corporate data policy compliance. Thus endpoint security system covers entire company user devices that need access to the central data stored on the servers. This type of endpoint security is the real need for the current corporate world and it is securing the data communication channels present on the company network which is very important from the aspect of securing the company sensitive data.