The recent high-profile cyber attacks in Ireland, most notably a health service executive falling victim to the WannaCry has heightened the awareness of cybersecurity among companies globally. Apart from phishing scams, ransomware and malware attacks have managed to cause widespread damage to millions of computers across 150 countries, and have thus exposed the vulnerabilities of information and communication (ICT) technologies. Due to the apparent ease with which attacks were executed, it stands to reason that there are many lessons yet to be learned regarding ICT security. In response to these threats, companies are increasing their cybersecurity spending.

While recent conversations on enterprise security majorly focus on network and data infrastructure, endpoint device security often remains overlooked. For instance, when a laptop is connected to an open and unsecured Wi-Fi network, it becomes increasingly vulnerable; hackers can obtain data from the laptop without the user even knowing. Therefore, device management systems need to serve as the first line of defense within a company’s overall ICT security strategy. Effective endpoint device management can help organizations bolster security, and in fact, most technology providers have enhanced their service offerings to provide smart, simplified and unified IT management solutions. Such solutions also extend to endpoint devices like personal computer systems, scanners, printers, and photocopiers. By focusing on endpoint security, businesses will ensure that their first line of defense will be capable of thwarting cyber attacks in the months and years to come.