security —

Your Endpoint Management Platform Could Be Your Biggest Security Risk

Author: Gene Moody, Field CTO at Action1 Endpoint management platforms have become essential in modern IT operations and enterprise security.

Your Endpoint Management Platform Could Be Your Biggest Security Risk

They allow administrators to deploy patches, install software, execute scripts, enforce configurations, and remotely manage thousands of devices from a centralized system. Without these types of systems, maintaining consistent security across large environments would be extremely difficult and labor-intensive. However, the administrative authority that makes these platforms valuable also makes them very attractive targets for attackers.

An endpoint management platform already has established and approved communication channels, elevated permissions, and trusted relationships with the devices it manages. Any attacker who gains control of that infrastructure will be able to use those existing capabilities to distribute malware, execute malicious commands, disable security controls, or disrupt operations across an entire organization. All with the same level of authority as the real admin.

Earlier coverage

security

Related coverage

Elsewhere in this edition