Why Endpoint Protection Alone Won’t Cut It Anymore
We’ve all heard the old saying, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” Well, that’s exactly what relying solely on endpoint protection is like when it comes to cybersecurity. It might have been enough a few years ago, but today? The cyber threat landscape has changed dramatically, and endpoint protection by itself just doesn’t stack up anymore.
Let’s break down why businesses – especially small to midsize ones – need a broader, layered approach, and why endpoint protection should only be one piece of your cybersecurity puzzle.
1. Cyber Threats Are No Longer Just Targeting Devices
Endpoint protection is designed to secure individual devices – laptops, desktops, mobiles – and it’s still very important. But cybercriminals aren’t just going after devices anymore. They’re targeting cloud infrastructure, user identities, email systems, and even your supply chain partners.
We’ve seen firsthand how a business can be compromised through a vendor’s compromised email or a misconfigured cloud setting. If your defences stop at the device level, attackers will simply go around them.
For example, supply chain attacks are on the rise, and endpoint tools can’t do much to prevent those. You need a strategy that includes monitoring across your entire environment – not just what’s happening on the laptop in front of you.
2. Remote Work Has Expanded the Attack Surface
When the world shifted to remote and hybrid working, the traditional network perimeter sort of disappeared. Now, team members might be working from home, cafés, airports – even the beach (lucky them). The problem? These environments aren’t always secure.
Endpoint protection is helpful, but it can’t guarantee security when someone connects to dodgy Wi-Fi or uses their personal device for work. That’s where solutions like Microsoft Intune come in, providing centralised management and protection across devices, whether they’re in the office or out bush.
3. Endpoint Tools Often Miss Phishing and Human Error
Here’s a stat that might surprise you: over 90% of cyber attacks start with a phishing email. And guess what? Most endpoint protection software won’t stop someone from clicking on a dodgy link or handing over their credentials.
That’s where user awareness and email security come into play. Implementing cybersecurity training and advanced threat protection for email can help block those threats before they even reach the endpoint.
We had a client who, despite having solid endpoint protection, fell victim to a phishing scam that looked like a legitimate invoice from a supplier. It wasn’t until we helped them implement human firewall training and layered email protection that they stopped falling for these tricks.
4. Compliance and Insurance Demands Go Beyond Endpoints
If your business handles sensitive data or wants to qualify for cyber insurance, endpoint protection alone won’t meet the criteria. Most insurers now expect businesses to follow frameworks like the Essential Eight, which includes things like patch management, multi-factor authentication, backups, and application control.
It’s no longer about having one tool. It’s about having a strategy. That might include endpoint protection, yes, but also secure backups, user access controls, cloud security, and regular risk assessments.
So What’s the Answer?
Your business needs a layered cybersecurity approach. Think of it like building a modern-day castle. You wouldn’t just put one guard at the front gate and call it a day. You’d want walls, cameras, alarms, guards, and backup plans. The same applies to cybersecurity.
Here at Gray Area Consulting, we help businesses build out complete strategies that include:
- Endpoint protection and patching
- Cloud and email security
- Backup and disaster recovery (learn why it matters)
- Identity and access management
- Staff training and awareness
- Compliance with frameworks like the Essential Eight
It’s not about overloading your team with dozens of tools. It’s about having the right ones working together and knowing someone is watching the fort while you get on with running your business.
Need a Second Set of Eyes on Your Cybersecurity?
If you’re unsure whether your cyber defences are up to scratch, we can help. Book a chat with our team to assess where your gaps might be and what you can do to fill them – without blowing the budget.
Contact us today and let’s make sure you’re not just relying on a single layer of defence.
