Endpoint Security
Protect Business Computers With a Prevention-First Approach
Business computers are exposed to malware, ransomware, malicious scripts, unauthorized applications, and other threats every day.
AmeriHost offers PC Matic endpoint security for businesses that want an additional layer of protection on their computers.
PC Matic uses an application-allowlisting approach designed to prevent unknown software from running until it has been determined to be trusted.
What Is Endpoint Security?
An endpoint is a computer or other device that connects to a business network or accesses business information.
For many small and midsize businesses, employee computers are among the most exposed parts of the technology environment.
Endpoint security is designed to help protect those devices from malicious or unauthorized software and other threats.
This can be particularly important for computers used for:
- Business email
- Accounting and financial information
- Customer records
- Cloud applications
- Remote access
- File sharing
- Administrative functions
- General Internet access
Protecting the endpoint adds another layer of security around the information and services employees use every day.
PC Matic Endpoint Security
AmeriHost offers PC Matic as an endpoint-security option for business computers.
PC Matic adds an application-allowlisting approach that focuses on determining which software is permitted to run.
With this type of protection, known and trusted applications can operate while unknown applications can be prevented from executing until they are classified or approved.
This prevention-oriented approach can help reduce exposure to new or previously unidentified malicious software.
Application Allowlisting
Application allowlisting establishes a set of software that is permitted to execute on a protected computer.
Rather than assuming an unknown program is safe until a threat is detected, an allowlisting system can prevent unfamiliar applications from running until they are determined to be trusted.
PC Matic applies this concept to applications and other executable activity on protected endpoints.
This can provide an additional layer of protection against threats that traditional detection methods may not yet recognize.
Protection Beyond Traditional Antivirus
No single security technology should be considered a complete cybersecurity strategy.
Endpoint protection works best as one part of a broader approach that can also include:
- Secure passwords and authentication
- Software updates
- Appropriate user permissions
- Email security
- Reliable backups
- Secure networks
- DNS and website security
- Employee awareness
- Controlled remote access
- Appropriate firewall configuration
AmeriHost can help clients understand where endpoint protection fits within the technology they already use.
Protection Against Unknown Applications
New threats may appear before traditional security products have complete information about them.
A prevention-based application-allowlisting approach can help by restricting unknown applications from executing rather than waiting until they have been identified as malicious.
Legitimate software that is not already recognized may require review or approval.
This is an important distinction from a security model based entirely on identifying known malware.
Script and Process Control
Cyberattacks do not always arrive as conventional executable programs.
Malicious activity can also involve scripts, macros, command-line tools, and legitimate applications being used in unintended ways.
PC Matic's business security platform includes controls designed to address executable files, scripts, processes, and other application activity.
These additional controls can help extend endpoint protection beyond conventional file-based antivirus scanning.
Centralized Management
Businesses with multiple computers benefit from being able to manage security from a central location rather than treating every device as an isolated installation.
PC Matic's business platform provides management capabilities for protected endpoints.
Depending on the service configuration, centralized management can assist with areas such as:
- Device visibility
- Security status
- Application decisions
- Policy management
- Endpoint administration
- Identifying computers that require attention
AmeriHost can assist with establishing and supporting the endpoint-security service for participating clients.
Endpoint Security Is One Layer
Security works best in layers.
Protecting employee computers does not replace the need to secure websites, email, domains, DNS, cloud services, networks, user accounts, or business data.
Likewise, website security does not protect an employee's computer from malicious software.
AmeriHost approaches endpoint security as one component of the larger technology environment.
Website Security and Endpoint Security Are Different
AmeriHost also works with security measures associated with websites and online infrastructure.
Depending on the website and hosting environment, these can include:
- HTTPS and SSL/TLS
- Cloudflare services
- DNS configuration
- Bot protection
- Secure website forms
- WordPress maintenance
- Software and plugin updates
- Website backups
- Static-site architectures
- Secure deployment practices
These measures protect different parts of the technology environment than endpoint-security software.
A business may need one, the other, or both depending on its systems and requirements.
Endpoint Security for Small and Midsize Businesses
Smaller organizations face many of the same types of computer threats as larger businesses but may not have dedicated internal cybersecurity personnel.
A managed endpoint-security service can provide an additional layer of protection without requiring each user to become a security administrator.
AmeriHost can help determine whether PC Matic endpoint security is appropriate for the computers and working environment involved.
Security Begins With Understanding the Environment
There is no single security product that eliminates every risk.
The appropriate solution depends on the devices, applications, users, data, networks, websites, and online services a business relies upon.
AmeriHost can help identify where endpoint protection fits into that environment and whether PC Matic is appropriate for the organization's requirements.
Interested in Endpoint Security for Your Business?