Just about every device you rely on in your day-to-day is an endpoint. Your laptop, your smartphone, your security cameras, and anything else that has network access. These endpoints are attractive targets for cybercriminals because, if exploited, the threat actor can move laterally throughout the network. In a business context, this means they could essentially shut down operations and corrupt all your data.
Downtime in itself is an expensive cost for a business to incur, add to that a ransomware attack and businesses are quickly fighting an uphill battle.
Join us below for an overview of some of the more common endpoint security risks and a look at how cybercriminals use these attacks.
Get a deeper look into hacking operations and how cybercriminals go about launching attacks in Impact’s webinar, How to Hack Your Business.
Why Does Endpoint Security Matter?
Endpoint security is critical because every device connected to a network—whether a laptop, smartphone, or desktop—can serve as an entry point for cybercriminals. As remote work and cloud-based operations become the norm, the attack surface expands, making it easier for hackers to exploit weaknesses.
A single compromised device can be used to install malware, launch ransomware attacks, or steal sensitive data, leading to costly breaches and operational disruptions. For industries handling confidential information, such as healthcare and finance, failing to secure endpoints can also result in legal penalties and lasting reputational harm.
The urgency of endpoint security is heightened by the growing sophistication of cyberthreats. Attackers use phishing scams, zero-day exploits, and fileless malware to bypass traditional defenses, often targeting employees who unknowingly expose systems to risk.
Connecting to unsecured Wi-Fi networks, using personal devices for work, or downloading compromised files can all create security gaps. Implementing strong protections—such as encryption, advanced threat detection, and strict access controls—helps ensure that every device remains a security asset rather than a liability.
Beyond direct cyberattacks, poor endpoint security can also open the door to insider threats and accidental data leaks. Employees may unintentionally download malicious software, reuse weak passwords, or misconfigure security settings, giving attackers an easy way in. Even lost or stolen devices pose a major risk if they contain sensitive data that isn’t properly encrypted.
Organizations must take a proactive approach by enforcing strong security policies, regularly updating software, and monitoring endpoints for suspicious activity. In today’s threat landscape, securing every device isn’t just a best practice—it’s a necessity for protecting business continuity and customer trust.
Common Endpoint Security Threats to Beware
Cybercriminals are constantly evolving their tactics, but three endpoint security threats continue to dominate the landscape:
- Malware
- Phishing attacks
- Unsecured remote access.
Each of these threats exploits human error, outdated defenses, or weak security practices, making them some of the most effective ways for hackers to infiltrate networks. Understanding how these attacks work—and how to defend against them—is essential for keeping sensitive data safe.
Malware
Malware, including ransomware, spyware, and trojans, is designed to infiltrate devices and steal, corrupt, or lock data.
Hackers often disguise malware as legitimate files or software updates, tricking users into downloading it. Then, once inside a system, the malware can spread across a network, exfiltrating sensitive information or encrypting files until a ransom is paid.
Without strong endpoint security measures, such as antivirus software and regular system updates, businesses risk falling victim to these devastating attacks.
Phishing & Social Engineering
Phishing remains one of the most successful cyberattack methods because it targets people rather than systems. Attackers send deceptive emails, text messages, or website links that appear to be from trusted sources, luring users into revealing passwords, downloading malicious attachments, or providing access to secure systems.
These attacks are increasingly sophisticated, often using social engineering to manipulate emotions, urgency, or authority. Businesses must educate employees on recognizing phishing attempts and implement multi-factor authentication to limit damage if credentials are compromised.
Unsecured Remote Access
With remote work now a fairly common practice, unsecured remote access has become a major security concern. Weak passwords, unpatched software, and unprotected remote desktop protocol (RDP) connections give cybercriminals an easy entrance into corporate networks.
Once inside, attackers can move laterally, steal data, or deploy ransomware. To prevent this, organizations must enforce strong authentication methods, restrict access to critical systems, and ensure remote workers connect only through secure, encrypted channels.
By addressing these three common threats with proactive security measures, businesses can significantly reduce their risk of cyberattacks. Endpoint security isn’t just about protecting devices—it’s about safeguarding the entire network from potentially catastrophic breaches.
How Does the Internet of Things (IoT) Fit into Endpoint Security?
The Internet of Things (IoT) has transformed how businesses and individuals operate, but it has also introduced new challenges for endpoint security. Unlike traditional endpoints like laptops and smartphones, IoT devices—ranging from smart cameras and industrial sensors to medical monitors—often lack built-in security protections.
Many come with default passwords, outdated firmware, or unpatched vulnerabilities, making them easy targets for cybercriminals. Once compromised, an IoT device can serve as a gateway for hackers to infiltrate a network, steal sensitive data, or launch large-scale cyberattacks, such as distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.
What makes IoT security even more complex is the sheer volume of connected devices and the difficulty of monitoring them all. Unlike corporate-managed computers, IoT devices often operate outside traditional IT security policies, creating blind spots in an organization’s defenses.
Attackers can exploit these gaps to move laterally within a network, bypassing firewalls and detection systems. To mitigate these risks, businesses must take a proactive approach by segmenting IoT devices from critical systems, enforcing strong authentication, and ensuring that all devices receive regular security updates.
As IoT adoption continues to grow, securing these endpoints is no longer optional—it’s essential for protecting data and maintaining business continuity.
Other Endpoint Challenges: Shadow IT
Shadow IT refers to the use of unauthorized hardware, software, or cloud services within an organization—often by well-meaning employees trying to boost productivity. Whether it’s a personal laptop used for work, an unapproved messaging app, or a cloud storage service outside the company’s security framework, these unsanctioned tools create serious security blind spots.
IT teams may be unaware of these endpoints, leaving them unmonitored, unpatched, and vulnerable to cyberthreats like malware, data leaks, or unauthorized access.
The biggest challenge with Shadow IT is that it bypasses standard security controls, making it easier for attackers to exploit weak endpoints. Employees may use unsecured Wi-Fi, store sensitive data on personal devices, or share corporate credentials across multiple apps without realizing the risks.
Because these systems exist outside of official oversight, they can also prevent IT teams from detecting and responding to threats in real time.
To combat the risks of Shadow IT, organizations must improve visibility into their network, enforce clear security policies, and provide employees with secure, sanctioned alternatives that meet their needs without compromising security.
The Zero Trust Theory
Zero trust is a cybersecurity framework based on a simple yet powerful idea: trust no one by default, whether inside or outside the network.
Traditional security models assume that threats primarily come from external sources, but zero trust recognizes that attackers can infiltrate networks through compromised credentials, insider threats, or lateral movement.
Instead of granting broad access based on location or device, zero trust enforces strict identity verification, continuous monitoring, and least-privilege access—ensuring that every user, device, and application must prove its legitimacy before accessing sensitive data.
This approach strengthens endpoint security by reducing attack surfaces and limiting the damage a compromised endpoint can cause. Even if an attacker gains access to a system, zero trust principles, such as micro-segmentation and multi-factor authentication, prevent them from moving freely within the network.
By requiring ongoing verification and minimizing implicit trust, organizations can protect themselves against modern cyberthreats, including ransomware, insider threats, and credential theft.
Wrapping Up on Endpoint Security
Understanding the importance of endpoint security requires an understanding of the security risks that endpoint devices often pose. Whether it’s a malware attack, a well-executed phishing campaign, or unauthorized remote access, endpoints are at risk and need to be secured.
On top of endpoint security, the best defense against cyberattacks is a layered one that makes use of multiple mechanisms to fortify the network, identify vulnerabilities and active threats, and take corrective action.
Get a look into the step-by-step process hackers take to infiltrate a business in Impact’s webinar, How to Hack Your Business.