What is endpoint management?
Endpoint management is important for many modern system environments. As organizations get bigger, managing the growing number of devices becomes important for security, compliance, and performance reasons.
This glossary covers the basics of endpoint management and popular tools such as Microsoft’s Intune and Intel endpoint management(Intel VPro).
What is an endpoint device?
Endpoint devices are the devices you usually use at work. It is just a fancy name for the devices that connect to your company’s network, including:
- Laptops
- Desktops
- Phones and tablets
- Servers and virtual machines
- IoT devices like smart TVs (yes, those count in some offices)
In a nutshell, if it connects to the network and it works, it’s an endpoint. These devices are often the entry point for security threats, making endpoint management software important in corporate environments.
Definition of endpoint management
Endpoint management is the process that controls all devices that access the company’s network by keeping them secure and up to date. That means:
- Setting things up the right way
- Pushing updates
- Policy enforcement
- Monitoring and reporting anything that’s suspicious
In an unified endpoint management, organizations can manage all of their device types under one system, they’re making sure there’s consistency and security.
It is like having one dashboard to rule them all, whether you’re dealing with devices like desktops or phones. That’s what unified endpoint management (UEM) is all about.
Popular tools or methods in the endpoint management world
Intel endpoint management: Intel vPro can control a device even if it’s powered off or if it is out of reach. Remote BIOS access? Yes. OS recovery? Yes. Powering on devices remotely? Yes. Protects against threats? Yes.
Mobile endpoint management: Phones and tablets are like office pets, they’re everywhere. That’s why their security is important. Mobile endpoint management (via MDM/MAM) makes sure that:
- Access is secured
- Apps are properly managed
- The possibility of wiping them remotely exists just in case
This way, the data across Android and iOS ecosystems is protected.
Intune endpoint management: Microsoft Intune offers cloud-based unified endpoint management. It helps IT departments to manage Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices. It has key features such as:
- Remote help
- Endpoint privilege management
- Advanced analytics
macOS endpoint management: Many companies everywhere add macOS devices to their fleet. But managing Mac devices? It’s a different game. That’s why the company’s endpoint management software needs to support the full macOS lifecycle.
According to Apple’s IT Compliance guidelines, proper mac endpoint management should include:
- System extensions and kernel extensions
- User-approved MDM enrollment
- Privacy preferences policy control (PPPC)
- Signed configuration profiles
- Managing software updates
Why does endpoint patch management matter a lot?
If your devices don’t get regular updates, they’re basically walking around with “Hack me!” signs. Endpoint patch management is the ongoing process of detecting, testing, and deploying patches across all devices. This ensures:
- That security vulnerabilities are quickly solved, so it’s secure
- There’s compliance within industry standards
- There’s reduced downtime caused by system failures, so it stays out of danger zone