With the ongoing news stream of security breaches, data theft, phishing schemes and cybercrimes – especially the rise in ransomware – businesses of all types are becoming more aware and concerned about the security of their information systems, data and digital applications. But too many also mistakenly believe that because they have antivirus (AV), next-generation antivirus (NGAV), a security operations center (SOC) or even an endpoint detection & response system (EDR) in place, they probably have enough protection for their networks.
In other words, they’re hoping their organization won’t be attacked and compromised; but hope and luck won’t protect them – these businesses are still at high risk.
An endpoint is any device that is a physical end point on a network, including a server but also more day-to-day items like laptops and smartphones. Today there are more devices connected to networks, inside and outside businesses, than ever before, in part because so many employees now work offsite. In fact, hybrid and remote work have highlighted just how critical endpoints are to an organization’s security posture. Virtual environments can also be considered endpoints. So a business’s footprint is often much larger than it was just a few years ago, and its on-premise security solution(s) will generally fall short in the current global security environment.
While a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution may have been effective years ago, the new and advanced threats circulating out there are no match for traditional antivirus solutions. Today’s cybercriminals easily circumvent them by concealing themselves from detection. Hackers and their cyber threats go to great lengths to camouflage themselves through an organization’s continuous stream of data and daily network traffic to carry out their criminal objectives. This makes them much more difficult to detect. The good news is that software engineers have been able to neutralize bad actors’ nefarious tactics through next-gen security products that are able to detect their actions.
However, detecting and blocking these stealthy tactics requires 24/7 threat hunting and analysis to counter the malware, viruses, spyware, ransomware and actions of unauthorized users that are circulating out there. Note these critical areas of the cybersecurity landscape for any size business:
Endpoint security – this includes all connected devices on a network, including desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones and servers. These are all entry points that cybercriminals can exploit to gain access. The endpoints that aren’t protected allow threats to more effectively bypass login protocols and similar security methods to launch an attack.
Network security – hackers will search throughout a network to find any loophole in security protocols that they can use to gain entry and cause disruption, downtime and expense.
Data security – relying on traditional scanning methods, including antivirus software, to protect an organization’s data is no longer effective. Once data is infected, it simply opens the door to more complexity, and the chance of stopping new and advanced attacks goes up.
Why scalability and threat adaptability are so important
The IT landscape is constantly evolving and advancing. And as organizations continue to expand their dependence on networks and digital connection, hackers are always looking for ways to exploit any security gaps to gain network control and access to data.
The threat landscape can change in hours with millions of threats lurking about. A security solution that can’t adapt to changes in these cyber threats can allow any threat to quickly gain the advantage it needs.
Here’s the core problem: Traditional antivirus protection is not a scalable or adjustable solution. Once an organization purchases one of these solutions, it can’t be adjusted to match new or changing security challenges. Even worse, by choosing a traditional cybersecurity solution, an organization may face the additional expense of prematurely replacing other security services or purchasing additional solutions that need to be integrated to provide reasonable coverage. To ensure the best possible coverage, it’s critical to implement a solution that’s scalable and adaptable – in real time.
Managed EDR service provides better protection for today’s businesses
MEDR, or Managed Endpoint Detection & Response services are today’s most effective solution to protect an organization against constantly evolving security threats. In fact, it’s foundational to any cybersecurity technology stack in the current security landscape.
At Konica Minolta, we offer a MEDR service for our customers because it’s among the most comprehensive security offerings available to ensure 24/7 protection. Through the pairing of our team of security experts and advanced A.I. technology, Konica Minolta’s MEDR is specifically engineered to counter next-gen cyber threats by constantly analyzing an organization’s network to close all security gaps and mediate any attacks before they can be executed.
Our MEDR offering further enhances Konica Minolta’s already strong security portfolio for clients through All Covered, its IT services division. The cloud-based service secures endpoints and functions as both an active and reactive security barrier, constantly analyzing a network and its activities. Clients who opt for our MEDR offering receive ongoing management, including policy tuning, exclusions and troubleshooting, with threat hunting, monitoring and response by Konica Minolta’s cybersecurity experts.
What makes this MEDR service different
Unlike other EDR solutions in the market that require connectivity to their cloud to process threat telemetry, the MEDR protection Konica Minolta offers isn’t reliant on internet connectivity. This makes it highly effective, even against offline attacks.
In addition, Konica Minolta has extensive experience with both offensive and defensive cybersecurity and is leveraging the combination of SentinelOne – a best-in-class partner that outperforms other EDR and MDR solutions – with our security operations center (SOC) for the most effective protection against modern threats. Other solution providers simply leverage their own internal resources or a vendor’s resources. Moreover, most other managed security service providers (MSSPs) and managed service providers (MSPs) claim to offer a complete service but do not. Instead of customizing policies for endpoints, they use default policies. Unruly exclusions are set far too wide and are too permissive. Many use exclusions that don’t make sense and use older and out-of-date agents.
With total visibility into activity on endpoints along with proactive threat hunting, Konica Minolta’s MEDR service offers 24/7, 365/day protection that identifies, reviews and responds to security incidents and delivers complete, end-to-end protection across endpoints, wherever they’re located. This allows IT administrators to keep their cyber-borders secured at all times. Even better, this service is backed by a comprehensive team of global security experts within our Managed IT organization who have experience, understanding and insights into the ever-evolving cybersecurity industry. Our MEDR service is available for any size business, on its own or combined with other services from All Covered at Konica Minolta.
Konica Minolta’s MEDR service took the Gold award in the Cybersecurity category of the 2022 Merit Awards for Technology, and was chosen by Cyber Defense Magazine for its exclusive InfoSec Innovators Awards and Solutions Showcase. The solution was also nominated for a Cybersecurity Excellence Award, and voting is currently open. You can vote for us here!
Learn more about Konica Minolta’s MEDR offering online.
