Endpoint security software is crucial for businesses of all types and around the world. This article will provide you with information about endpoint security software and how it can proactively protect your business from network threats. Whether you're a business owner, an executive, or an IT manager, the following information will be beneficial to you.

What is endpoint security software? Endpoint security software is a centrally-managed software system that protects end-user devices such as laptops, PC's, Smart phones, PDA's, POS terminals and more. Endpoint security systems are hosted on a server or gateway, and installed on every endpoint or user device that connects to the business network.

Why is endpoint security software important? Today's business environment has changed drastically over the last decade. As businesses expand, they require more and more users to access their corporate network. Employees, contractors, strategic partners and others consistently access network data via remote locations, LANs or wireless connections. These types of access points create a windfall of potential entry points for security threats to infiltrate the network. This makes it increasingly difficult for IT managers to protect the network from worms, Trojans, spyware and other malicious code that can threaten business continuity, compromise data, jeopardize productivity and require costly and time-consuming incident remediation.

A recent security threat assessment uncovered that active malware and threats reside undetected on corporate networks and endpoints on 100% of all participating companies from North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific. The participating companies average over 11,000 employees in industries like finance, healthcare, education, manufacturing and government.

The study, taking place between October 2008 and June 2009, performed over 100 assessments on enterprises worldwide and discovered that:
- 100% were infected with active malware
- 50% had at least one data-stealing malware hidden in their network
- 45% had multiple data-stealing malware infections
- 72% had at least 1 IRC bot
- 50% had 4 or more IRC bots
- 83% had at least 1 malware web download
- 60% had more than 20 malware web downloads
- 35% had at least 1 network worm

What caused these network security intrusions? Without endpoint security solutions, network security intrusions are inevitable. There are many ways for malware and other viruses to infiltrate corporate networks.
Here are a few examples:
- Mobile users frequently log on and off the business network using devices that are already infected, compromising network security.
- Businesses employ inadequate remote security solutions, lack onsite IT personnel, and fail to enforce security policies.
- Employees use easily exploited technologies such as P2P, file sharing, streaming media and instant messaging.

Your endpoint security software provider should provide some of the most comprehensive vulnerability monitoring available on the market, including:

- Unapproved Software: Ensure that all software applications installed on your computer networks are approved by your company's security policy.

- Suspicious Traffic: Detect abnormal traffic on your network that could indicate an attempt to access or manipulate your computers.

- Intrusion Vulnerability: Identify open ports or other undesired access points that could put your network at risk of intrusion.

- Malware Protection: Protect your network by ensuring antivirus and other endpoint security software are installed, updated and functioning properly on all computers.

- Updates & Patches: Assure all critical security updates and patches are installed, with Microsoft's minimum protection.

- Security Practices: Ensure all your computers are configured and used in accordance with best practices for network security.

- Clear Blue Agents: Monitor your endpoint security status and lets you know how to solve any problems it detects.

- Virtual Security Assistant: Provide 24/7 security for your entire network at a fraction of the cost of human domain experts.