Endpoint deployments are the first and weakest point of contact when it comes to potential threats. User restrictions must be applied to protect your organization. If IT teams implement robust endpoint security solutions, configure roles and access correctly, assign the correct permissions, enforce good password policy with MFA as reinforcement, and maintain consistent monitoring over the endpoint environment, this will go a long way in preventing both internal and external threats.

In this article we are going to go through 6 ways IT administrators can restrict their end-users in order to maintain security.

Endpoint Security Solutions:

Any enterprise-level deployment will require enterprise-level security; the easiest and most efficient way to do this is to implement endpoint security solutions that provide key restrictions on the endpoint, this being App blocking, device lockdown, VDI or DaaS connectivity, Drive restriction, just to name a few. A good endpoint security solution can turn a completely unsecured, untrusted device into a secured and trusted device if the correct configurations are applied.

Role-Based Access:

Role-based access is another way to enforce restriction in tandem with a compatible endpoint security solution. By assigning specific roles to users based on their responsibilities, IT admins can ensure that each individual has access only to the resources and information necessary for their job function, which is a key aspect of zero trust. Role-Based Access should be in place to ensure users have only access to the exact resources they require for work, and nothing more.

Granular Permissions:

IT admins can granularly restrict permissions on endpoints using Group Policy Objects (GPOs) (if on the domain) or registry edits; if looking to centrally deploy minute permission changes, a centralized endpoint management platform or even certain Multiple Device Management (MDM) tools can do this. IT admins should conduct regular audits to review and update permissions, ensuring that users have the appropriate level of access required for their tasks. Utilizing tools that allow for granular control over permissions can help prevent unauthorized access and reduce the risk of data breaches.

Network Segmentation:

 Isolating different segments of the network and restricting access to these sub-networks to different teams. By dividing the network into smaller, more manageable segments, IT admins can control and monitor the flow of data, limiting the potential impact of security incidents, overall reducing the attack surface for their network compared to having a “large, flat” network. Malicious actors will have a harder time moving across the corporate network if restricted to one network segment.

Password Policies and Multi-Factor Authentication:

Strengthening user authentication is a fundamental aspect of user restriction. Implementing strong password policies and enforcing regular password changes can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access. Additionally, incorporating multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security.

Monitoring and Auditing:

Continuous monitoring and auditing of user activities allows IT to detect and respond to potential security breaches as soon as they happen. IT admins should leverage monitoring tools to track user behaviour, identify anomalies, and alert the wider team when discovering suspicious activities. Real-time analytics solutions, Security hygiene detection solutions, and more can all provide monitoring and even user & admin alerts for any drop in performance or potential breaches.

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ThinScale is a comprehensive endpoint management and security solution to help IT admins do their work more efficiently and effectively, at speed and scale.

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