Endpoint Layer/Protection
An endpoint layer consists of any device connected to your network. Smart devices connected to the network can be a desktop computer, laptop, phone, or server. For endpoint security, antivirus software is prevalent in the market; however, it comes to the market with heuristic, behavior-based, or signature-based flavors. Some of the examples are Antivirus software, firewalls, breach-detection agents, desktop firewall, content filtering, patch management, etc. Even though it is helpful and will stop most attackers, to make it robust, mobile device management (MDM) is a critical part of endpoint security. End-to-end encryption of all endpoint devices is key for robust security by restricting access to specified devices and managing devices remotely.
There are many devices connected to the network. Smart devices need high- bandwidth or high-speed internet to work. As these devices can be used anywhere and anytime, this increases the attack surface as well as vulnerability. Robust measures need to be put in place to ensure devices in the network are secure.
Operating systems must use an automated security patching and compliance reporting tool. Operating consoles should be used if available. Use the Security Remediation and Patch Management Standard and Infrastructure Security Standards for applicable server configuration standards.
Application Layer
The application layers deal with the software and applications you use in the organization for different purposes; e.g., Microsoft Office, Zoom, Google Meet, emails, Slack, and other applications necessary to carry out daily tasks. Application security entails software applications that provide protection from data exposure resulting from transaction compromise or failure.
These applications must be secured. The easiest way to ensure security is to update all the apps to the latest versions. Vulnerabilities found in regular reports should be handled by tools to ensure patching and updates are done in a timely and comprehensive manner. There are additional security measures that should be taken to protect the integrated application. Sandboxes are used in browser-based applications to prevent any unauthorized users from entering the network.