Top trends that will shape the future of endpoint management

Remember when you could only pay someone through cash or cheque? Times when people could rent movies at blockbuster or when one couldn’t play iTunes and other apps at the same time. An era when Disney and Marvel had yet to control the universe. An age without Instagram and Snapchat to document and post quick updates of your life, ring any bells? As outlandish as it sounds, this was life in the early 2010s.

Technology is no exception when it comes to change. Constantly changing, constantly evolving! But change isn’t something that happens randomly. Instead, there are trends governing it. The last 4-5 years stand witness to the fact that the constant evolution of technology has made our lives easier but, at the same time, more vulnerable. Increasing reliance on technology, global connectivity and cloud usage have opened up avenues and loopholes for cybercriminals to exploit. All these vulnerabilities, combined with the monumental shift to online infrastructure and remote working in recent years, have popularized endpoint management within an organization. As with anything else, endpoint security and management must keep up with the changes to stay relevant and valuable.

Predictions for the coming years:

Trends shaping any cornerstones of the business world are primarily based on two things. The need and market conditions in and around that time. So, before jumping straight into the deep end of discussing the trends to get your organization Enterprise Ready for 2023 with endpoint management, let’s look at the market predictions that may be relevant to our cause.

• Experts predict the global cloud services market to cross $165 billion by 2024.
• By 2030, the number of IoT devices used globally will be at a staggering 29 billion.
• Privacy regulations will cover the private data of one-third of the world’s population by 2023.
• The multi-factor authentication market is expected to cross $26 billion by 2027.

Reasons for endpoint management to up its game:

There are many reasons for any industry to be constantly on the alert and in control of its game. But, since we are on the topic of endpoint management, we need to know what sets the admins on high alert when it comes to endpoint management. So, after a close inspection and deliberate tossing and turning, here’s a condensed outlook……

A rise in attacks against cloud services:

Quoting what the many mentors who have countlessly uttered when mentoring their, bursting with raw power slash slightly arrogant mentees, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Indeed, cloud services are a great power entrusted with the great responsibility of storing data and whatnot. But even the strongest Superman has his kryptonite.

Businesses are being and will continue to be impacted by cloud-based vulnerabilities such as decreased visibility and control, incorrectly configured cloud storage, vulnerable cloud apps, incomplete data removal erasure, compliance challenges, and migration concerns in the years to come. Additionally, due to attacks against cloud services, organizations would find it difficult to maintain control over crucial data. However, a developed and efficient cloud governance model can improve security reaction capabilities.

Cyber threats and how to tackle its changing landscape using UEM

A rise in the use of IoT devices:

People like their communications to be smooth, clear and without any hitch, be it with humans or devices! Yup, you read it right, communication with devices. With everyday appliances like baby monitors, toasters, TVs, and lights all using embedded architecture to connect to the internet, communication with devices is a reality today. The perfect blend of low-cost computing, big data, analytics, cloud and mobile technologies made it possible for the physical and digital worlds to meet.

IoT gadgets simplify complicated company procedures and boost global communication. The improved connectivity across the world due to the growth of 5G network complements the IoT lifestyle. Not to forget, IoT-enabled devices are increasingly being integrated into security networks!

Integration of AI and ML in the business infrastructure:

Machine learning and artificial intelligence are taking the market by storm as they grow in significance across every facet of life. So why should the corporate or business world be any different? The pioneers of AI and ML knew that the two fields had immense potential and scope. Today’s market conditions are a testament to that faith. AI and ML are not just the future. They ARE the present!

Manually, it is impossible to provide complete protection against sophisticated threats that are constantly growing and evading typical security procedures. In addition, due to the rise in cyber threats, IoT, and Wi-Fi network security vulnerabilities, there is now a greater need for advanced security automation. The most prominent role AI and ML play in the security business comes from their ability to go through millions of possible scenarios and identify different threats in seconds. So, tracing past events, identifying patterns and then predicting possible attacks depending on the current variables is something they are efficient in. There’s no denying the fact that AI and ML are slowly but surely weaving themselves into the intricate workings of a corporate environment.

The exponential rise of BYOD and mobile devices:

All the corporate employees know the flexibility that BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy offers. Pretty nifty, right? Well, it is, but it can also cause additional headaches for the IT admins, especially since they have to toe the line between ensuring security and respecting the employees’ privacy. Quite a tricky muck!

The popularity of multi-factor authentication:

Who doesn’t like being double, triple and even quadruple sure, especially when it comes down to accessing sensitive information and the likes? Yup, multi-factor authentication will do it for you! Instead of depending on the archaic method of employing usernames and passwords for authentication, robust security is necessary to combat the rising occurrences of cyberattacks, online fraud, cloud-based services, and IoT trends.

You can stop these security breaches by implementing multi-factor authentication methods in cell phones and computer devices to identify users. By 2027, the multi-factor authentication market is anticipated to reach $26.7 billion, growing at a CAGR of 15.6% from 2022 to 2027. Yup, this popularity is indeed proving to be worth the hype.

Trends molding tomorrow’s endpoint management:

Realizing the market standing……check
Rounding up the reasons for endpoint management to up its game……check
Tracing the trends that shape the future of endpoint management……yup, that’s exactly where we’re headed!
So, hold your breath and let’s dive deep into the trends that shape the future of endpoint management.

Companies shifting to hybrid or multi-cloud settings:

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen changes in the way people work. More and more companies are offering hybrid work options and more to their employees so that they can continue working in case another lockdown or the likes anything of the sort disrupts the routine. As a result, hybrid and multi-cloud technologies have started making their rounds in the corporate world.

Better remote workforce support, better security and risk management, quick adaptability toward the market requirement, and enhanced scalability and management of data are some of the significant benefits of both hybrid and multi-cloud technology. So naturally, organizations will start gravitating toward these technologies. Endpoint management has to adapt and strive to accommodate the changes brought on by these technologies.

Wearable devices being included in the workspace:

Apple iWatches and other wearable devices are quickly finding their places in the business dynamics. Wearables can display real-time information, analytics, and customer relationship management elements. Companies can increase staff productivity and optimize corporate operations by quickly accessing these facts. While the mobility these devices provide caters to the need for flexibility, endpoint management solutions must develop appropriate settings and provisions to secure them.

AI-based chatbots and virtual assistants:

AI has become one of the most significant trends in Unified Endpoint Management (UEM). The delegation of mundane and routine duties to AI and the development of self-learning algorithms have alleviated the IT team’s yoke. Chatbots are little bubbles that randomly appear on websites and inquire whether they can assist you in any way. They enable businesses to automate several customer service procedures because they are AI-based software. The advanced scope of avenues that AI and ML open up grows day by day. More and more UEMs are integrating this technology to give their solution an edge over the others.

5G cellular networks and Wi-Fi edition 6:

The up-and-coming 5G technology has been taking its own sweet time, but businesses worldwide are more than ready to make it part and parcel of their work process. The reliable wideband connection provides the much-needed competitive edge that makes it relevant and of consequence in the business world. A faster network equals better connectivity equals higher productivity.

Wi-Fi edition 6 is yet another factor that will influence future endpoint management trends. An increase in network speed, optimized battery usage, and improved performance in crowded spots, especially offices, is what the new standard promises. With better and quicker connectivity, businesses can use various workplace mobility solutions, including video conferencing platforms, cloud computing systems for file storage, and web collaboration tools. Thanks to 5G and Wi-Fi edition 6, remote work can now be faster and more efficient. Not being connected to the on-premise company network won’t give a hitch anymore!

Zero-trust technology gaining traction:

A quick skim of the articles covering the recent security industry breakthroughs will highlight the community’s piqued interest in the relatively new zero-trust technology. The technology has been here for quite some time, but it has recently started turning heads. The most straightforward use case that sums up zero-trust would be not taking the location of the device for granted. Rough translation – It is not enough for a device to just BE inside the office for them to be trusted and given the necessary permissions. So, as the term suggests, not trusting anything, literally!

Moving away from VPNs:

VPNs have long served their purposes. And mighty well too! But businesses now realize the need to move on from VPNs. This is because VPNs struggle to meet some of the newer standards of enforcing security. Essentially, devices placed on an internal network enjoy a level of trust that does not concur with the norms of zero-trust technology. As a result, most companies are moving towards safer protocols like TLS with identity-aware proxies and HTTPS proxies with two-factor authentication. Additionally, organizations are moving towards tools with open APIs.

Thinner endpoints:

This is an age of rethinking. People are rethinking the size of their endpoints. When most of the things you are dealing with are web-based, it’s easier and safer to manage Chromebooks instead of the traditionally heavier desktops. When used with Google Workspace, a high-end Chromebook can deliver an excellent experience and is much easier to administer and protect than a desktop. Recognizing the benefits of thinner endpoints when people move over to them, endpoint management has to be on point to manage and secure them.

Hardware 2FA becoming mainstream:

Forces can’t easily compromise accounts that employ multi-factor authentication. Even though they are still widely used, SMS and voice 2FA (2 Factor Authentication) are unsafe. While notifications delivered to mobile apps are preferable, hackers also undermine those.

Organizations must therefore use hardware-based authentication techniques. For instance, more and more web apps are supporting FIDO U2F keys, and many other devices—including smartphones, Chromebooks, and Windows Hello—can function as a FIDO U2F key. Enforcing their use is simple for smaller organizations that haven’t made use of Active Directory or other older infrastructure. In light of the ever-increasing security exploitations, organizations are slowly but steadily warming up to the idea of hardware 2FA. Gone are the days of theorizing them, so endpoint management must figure out methods to incorporate them!

Final notes:

Henry Ford said what he said. If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always got. Quite a mouthful, and yet it rings true in our case. The trends governing endpoint management are undergoing a revolutionary change. That being the case, sticking to the conventional notes of endpoint management may not be the best idea for organizations. Present endpoint management systems may easily tackle the older threats, but what about the new ones cropping up?

Change is indeed the law of life. So, don’t let the easy comfort and routine of the existing system lull you into a sense of security. The world and scope of endpoint management just got a whole lot bigger! Navigate the treacherous ways of the digital world and get your organizations Enterprise Ready for 2023 with a robust Unified endpoint management solution like Hexnode, one that is known to be up to speed with the market trends – constantly evolving!