2024-11-06 - 頁2，共2

Why NAC is the Security Backbone of Hybrid Work

The shift to hybrid work environments has redefined how enterprises approach network security. Organizations now grapple with employees switching between office networks, remote setups, and personal devices. In this fluid world, a robust Network Access Control (NAC) system operates quietly in the background, ensuring compliance, enforcing security policies, and granting or denying access. But while NAC rarely makes headlines, its role in securing hybrid workplaces is critical—and often underestimated.

The New Challenges of Hybrid Work

Hybrid work introduces new vulnerabilities. Employees connect from untrusted networks, use a mix of personal and corporate devices, and log in through various access points—whether on-premises or cloud-based. This influx of devices makes the network’s attack surface expand rapidly, opening doors for phishing attacks, ransomware, and other cyber threats. Traditional security approaches struggle to scale with these changes, creating gaps in visibility and control.

Enter NAC: a technology designed to fill these gaps by ensuring only authorized and secure devices connect to the network. But what does this look like in practice, especially in today’s dynamic working environments?

How NAC Operates Behind the Scenes

1. Device Authentication and Compliance Checks

When an employee brings a device onto the network—whether at the office or over VPN—NAC steps in immediately. It verifies the device’s identity, checks for compliance with security policies, and ensures endpoint protection tools (like antivirus software) are active and updated. If a laptop running outdated security software tries to connect, NAC can either block access or place the device in a quarantined zone until the issue is resolved.

In the case of hybrid work, NAC ensures that every connected endpoint—whether an employee’s personal tablet or a corporate-issued laptop—meets security standards. Without NAC, a compromised device could access the network unchecked, spreading malware or giving hackers a foothold inside the system.

2. Dynamic Policy Enforcement Based on User Role and Location

NAC doesn’t just verify devices—it applies dynamic policies based on the user’s role and location. A marketing manager connecting from a hotel Wi-Fi might only have access to email and cloud collaboration tools, while the same person in the office could access more sensitive internal systems. This granular control ensures that even legitimate users don’t have more access than necessary, following the principle of least privilege.

For IT teams, these dynamic policies streamline the process of securing a hybrid workforce. Policies can adapt in real-time—allowing or restricting access as employees move across networks and locations—without manual intervention.

3. Enhanced Visibility and Incident Response

One of NAC’s greatest advantages is the visibility it provides to IT and security teams. With thousands of devices connecting to corporate networks daily, visibility into “who” and “what” is accessing the network is critical. NAC solutions generate detailed logs of every access attempt, including failed ones, enabling IT teams to spot patterns of suspicious behavior.

For instance, if an employee’s credentials are compromised and used to log in from two distant locations within a short period, NAC can trigger an alert. Some NAC solutions can even take automated action—such as blocking access or limiting network segments until the threat is investigated.

4. Seamless Integration with Zero Trust Architecture

Modern NAC solutions align perfectly with the principles of Zero Trust—a security model where no user or device is trusted by default. In a Zero Trust framework, NAC plays a crucial role by continuously verifying devices and users every time they attempt to access network resources. This is especially critical in hybrid work environments, where employees connect from a variety of devices and locations throughout the day.

The Silent Protector of Hybrid Work

While it may not be the most glamorous part of cybersecurity, NAC has become indispensable in hybrid workplaces. It ensures that only compliant devices and users gain access, adapts security policies dynamically, and provides visibility to IT teams managing ever-expanding networks. As enterprises embrace Zero Trust principles, NAC will continue to be a critical component of their security stack—operating behind the scenes, quietly ensuring that work can continue, safely and seamlessly.

In the end, NAC’s strength lies in its subtlety. Employees may never realize it’s there, but without it, the risks to network security would be far greater. For businesses navigating the complexities of hybrid work, NAC is not just a solution—it’s a silent partner that ensures productivity and security go hand in hand.

About Portnox
Portnox provides simple-to-deploy, operate and maintain network access control, security and visibility solutions. Portnox software can be deployed on-premises, as a cloud-delivered service, or in hybrid mode. It is agentless and vendor-agnostic, allowing organizations to maximize their existing network and cybersecurity investments. Hundreds of enterprises around the world rely on Portnox for network visibility, cybersecurity policy enforcement and regulatory compliance. The company has been recognized for its innovations by Info Security Products Guide, Cyber Security Excellence Awards, IoT Innovator Awards, Computing Security Awards, Best of Interop ITX and Cyber Defense Magazine. Portnox has offices in the U.S., Europe and Asia. For information visit http://www.portnox.com, and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.。

About Version 2 Digital

Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

Elevating IT Infrastructure: The Integration of MDM

Have you ever purchased a security system or saw one? If not, let’s paint a picture. Just imagine that you have purchased a state-of-the-art home security system. It has all the bells and whistles, cameras, motion sensors, smart locks, and whatnot. But now you face the challenge of integrating it with your existing household setup. You need it to work smoothly with your current security protocols, connect effortlessly to your home network, and make sure it doesn’t disrupt your daily routine.

Do you get the idea? Similarly, in the mobile-driven corporate world, simply acquiring a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution is insufficient. The challenge lies in seamlessly integrating it into your existing IT infrastructure to maintain operational integrity and security.

Integration of MDM
Integrate MDM Solutions Into Your Existing IT Infrastructure
This blog discusses the strategic considerations for seamlessly integrating MDM solutions, which promise streamlined management and better security without causing disruptions.

Challenges of Managing IT Infrastructure Without MDM
When did you last try to juggle multiple responsibilities without a proper system? It could be organizing a family vacation, where you had to book flights, hotels, and activities while managing work deadlines and household chores. The stress and inefficiency can be overwhelming, right?

The same applies to businesses managing hundreds or thousands of mobile devices without a centralized solution.

1. Security and Compliance Risks
Security is a top priority for any industry. Without a centralized MDM solution, ensuring all devices are consistently updated with the latest security patches is like trying to herd cats. Each device has its schedule, and users often delay updates, either out of convenience or simply because of forgetfulness. This lack of uniformity leaves significant gaps in your security.

Inconsistent security updates can lead to major headaches. What if a new malware strain is spreading rapidly? IT teams must manually scramble to update each device without an MDM solution—a slow and error-prone process. In the meantime, the organization remains exposed to potential breaches, risking sensitive data and regulatory non-compliance. It’s like locking some doors in your house while leaving others wide open, hoping intruders won’t find the unlocked ones.

2. Operational Inefficiencies
Operational inefficiencies are another major issue. Manual device management has substantial operational overhead and resource consumption. IT staff spend countless hours on mundane tasks like setting up devices, pushing updates, and troubleshooting issues, which could be better spent on strategic initiatives. This wastes valuable resources and stifles innovation and growth.

3. User Experience and Support
A diverse device environment can be a support nightmare. Different devices and operating systems require specialized knowledge and tools, making it challenging to provide consistent support. Consistent access to corporate resources can be critical without a unified management solution. Some users might have access to their emails and files, while others struggle with intermittent connectivity and permission issues. This inconsistency hampers productivity and can lead to dissatisfaction among employees, as they feel unsupported and hindered in their work.

Strategic Considerations for Integrating MDM into IT Infrastructure
Careful planning and strategic considerations are essential when integrating an MDM solution into your IT infrastructure to ensure a smooth and effective deployment. Here, we look into some key aspects, such as compatibility and deployment models, providing insights to help you navigate the integration process.

1. Compatibility
Before implementing an MDM solution, verifying its compatibility with your current IT infrastructure is important. This includes assessing compatibility with servers, network configurations, and security protocols. This compatibility check helps:

Avoid Potential Conflicts: Ensuring the MDM solution works seamlessly with existing components and prevents disruptions during and after integration.
Facilitate Smooth Integration: Compatibility ensures the MDM software can be deployed efficiently, reducing the risk of integration issues that could lead to downtime or compromised security.
Maintain Security Standards: Verifying compatibility ensures the MDM solution aligns with your existing security measures, maintaining the integrity of your overall security posture.
2. Deployment Models
Selecting the appropriate deployment model for your MDM solution is vital. The choice will depend on your industry’s specific needs, resources, and strategic goals. Here are the three primary deployment models:

a) Cloud-based
Benefits

Quick Deployment: Cloud-based MDM solutions can be deployed rapidly, allowing for faster implementation.
Scalability: Cloud solutions offer the flexibility to scale up or down based on business needs, accommodating growth or changes in device management requirements.
Reduces Upfront Costs: Cloud models typically involve lower initial investments, as there is no need for extensive hardware purchases or infrastructure upgrades.
Challenges

Data Privacy Concerns: Storing data in the cloud raises potential privacy issues, especially for businesses dealing with sensitive information.
Dependency on Internet Connectivity: Cloud solutions rely on stable Internet connections, and any disruption in server connectivity can affect access and functionality.
Best Practices

Conduct Thorough Risk Assessments: Evaluate potential risks associated with data storage and access to the cloud.
Ensure Compliance with Data Protection Regulations: Verify that the cloud provider complies with relevant data protection laws and standards.
Establish Clear SLAs with the Cloud Provider: Define service level agreements that outline performance expectations, support, and security measures.
b) On-Premise
Security Considerations

Greater Control Over Data: On-premise solutions provide direct control over data storage and security measures, which is critical for businesses with stringent data protection requirements.
Customizable Security Measures: Businesses can customize security protocols and configurations to meet their specific needs.
Resource Requirements

Significant Investment: Implementing an on-premise solution requires substantial hardware, software, and ongoing maintenance investment.
Dedicated Resources: Ensure sufficient resources are allocated to manage and support the on-premise MDM infrastructure.
Best Practices

Regularly Update and Patch the MDM Software: Keep the MDM software updated to protect against vulnerabilities and ensure optimal performance.
Maintain Backup and Disaster Recovery Plans: Implement comprehensive backup and recovery strategies to safeguard data and ensure business continuity.
Allocate Dedicated Resources for Management and Support: Ensure skilled personnel can manage and support the MDM infrastructure.
c) Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)
Flexibility and Control
Combines Cloud and On-Premise Benefits: VPCs offer the scalability and flexibility of cloud solutions while providing control similar to on-premise deployments.
Customizable Environment: Businesses can configure the VPC to meet specific needs and security requirements.
Benefits of Integrating MDM into IT Infrastructure
Integrating MDM into your IT infrastructure offers numerous advantages that enhance security, efficiency, and user experience. Here are the key benefits:

1. Streamlined Device Enrollment and Configuration
MDM solutions simplify enrolling and configuring new devices, ensuring they meet corporate standards from the start. This reduces the time and effort required to set up devices and ensures consistency across the industry.

2. Strengthened Security
MDM provides centralized control over security policies, ensuring consistent updates and reducing vulnerabilities across all devices. Features like remote-wipe and encryption further safeguard corporate data, protecting against breaches and unauthorized access.

3. Increased Productivity
By consolidating management tasks into a single platform, MDM software reduces the complexity and overhead of device management. Automated processes streamline operations and free up IT resources, allowing them to focus on strategic initiatives that drive business growth.

4. Improved Regulatory Compliance
MDM solutions help businesses comply with industry regulations by enforcing security policies and maintaining audit trails. This ensures all devices adhere to compliance standards, reducing the risk of fines and legal issues.

5. Cost Savings
MDM solutions can lead to significant cost savings by automating device management and reducing the need for manual interventions. They also minimize the resources required for IT support and reduce downtime.

Seamlessly Integrate your Existing IT Infrastructure with Scalefusion
Scalefusion offers flexible deployment options to fit your business needs, whether you prefer cloud, on-premise, or VPC solutions. This versatility ensures you can seamlessly integrate Scalefusion’s MDM capabilities into your existing IT infrastructure without disrupting your current operations.

About Scalefusion
Scalefusion’s company DNA is built on the foundation of providing world-class customer service and making endpoint management simple and effortless for businesses globally. We prioritize the needs and feedback of our customers, making sure that they are at the forefront of all decision-making processes. We are dedicated to providing comprehensive customer support services, and place emphasis on customer-centric thinking throughout the organization.

About Version 2 Digital

2024 Scalefusion

Games, apps, websites… anything can be abused. How to protect your family from mobile threats

ESET levels up its Mobile Security app to be even more effective against phishing.

Smartphones have become an integral part of our social lives. From children to teens and on to adults and the elderly, globally, the average user now spends almost four hours daily staring at their mobile phone. There’s really no point in naming all the things people can use their mobile phones for. From social interaction to shopping, gaming, and so on… you know what they are capable of.

These capabilities, however, come at a price. The variety of things people can do on their mobile phones creates one huge, messy cyberthreat landscape with criminals trying to steal victims’ money, data, and identities, sometimes demanding a ransom for their return.

This blog will show you some real-life examples described by ESET researchers of what such threats look like. As you will see, some of them are no longer simple scams that can be easily spotted, but are instead sophisticated, multi-staged and AI-driven attacks that require much stronger defenses than a watchful eye and simple antivirus.

The long list of ESET research pieces on this topic demonstrates how carefully ESET studies these threats. And ESET experts are not just watching. More than ten years ago, ESET created award-winning multilayered protection against a multitude of Android security issues called ESET Mobile Security, which has been protecting millions of people around the globe. Now ESET is coming forward with improved Phishing Protection, extending threat coverage even more.

TRY ESET MOBILE SECURITY NOW!

Anyone can be a target

There are 4.8 billion smartphone users, which is more than half of the current global population of 8.2 billion people. Statista estimates the smartphone user base to reach 6.4 billion by 2029.

According to a 2024 survey conducted by the data management firm Harmony Healthcare IT, phone screen time increases with every generation. While U.S. baby boomers (people born from 1946 to 1964) spend 3.5 hours per day with phones in their hands, millennials’ use of phones is one hour longer, and Generation Z spends an average of 6 hours and 5 minutes on their phone daily.

And just as smartphone usage is rising, so is the total volume of detected Android malware, increasing from 1.7 million in July 2014 to 35.2 million as of July 2024, according to the AV-TEST Institute’s data.

While the usage of mobile phones grows, so does the increase in user susceptibility to phishing attacks. Global data gathered in 2022 shows that encounters of personal mobiles with phishing rose from 35.46% in 2020 to 53% in 2022, and the percentage of mobile users who tapped on six or more phishing links almost doubled from 14.3% to 27.6% within this time period.

Threats are out there

Let’s see several of the latest examples of mobile threats, some covered by the latest ESET Threat Report (H1 2024).

ESET experts complemented the research conducted by Group-IB’s Threat Intelligence unit, describing the GoldPickaxe malware family available for both iOS and Android, targeting victims in the Asia-Pacific region.

This malware can steal a victim’s sensitive personal information from financial apps such as Digital Pension for Thailand despite a requirement that users record a brief video of their face from various angles using the front camera of their mobile device as a form of secure authentication.

To achieve that, threat actors steal victims’ biometric data and utilize AI-driven face-swapping services to create deepfakes.

Another example shows that scammers don’t hesitate to even target children. According to the latest Threat Report, ESET telemetry detected phishing scams abusing Roblox, a sandbox gaming platform very popular with kids and available on multiple operating systems (including Apple and Android). Roblox contains virtual currency named Robux that can be purchased with real money, which makes it attractive for cybercriminals. The Roblox community has created a long list of Roblox threats here.

Also, using ESET detection engines in combination with other sources, ESET researchers recently discovered espionage campaigns spreading fake apps or trojanized and reverse-engineered legitimate apps to Android users in Egypt and Palestine. Threat actors used dedicated phishing websites to distribute malicious apps impersonating legitimate chat apps, a job opportunity app, and a civil registry app.

Another recent malicious campaign uncovered by ESET researchers and run in the Czech Republic targeted clients at three Czech banks to facilitate unauthorized ATM withdrawals from the victims’ bank accounts.

At first, cyber criminals deceived victims into believing that they are communicating with their bank, and then tricked them into downloading and installing a fake banking app with the unique malware that ESET named NGate. The malware then clones near field communications data (NFC) from victims’ payment cards using NGate and sends this data to an attacker’s device that is then able to imitate the original card and withdraw money from an ATM.

Just this handful of recent examples shows how large of a portfolio of tools cybercriminals have at their disposal. Notice the variety of their targets – children playing games or adults seeking a job, wanting to chat, or doing financial operations.

ESET Mobile Security

To deal with these scenarios, both individual users and households need a reliable security solution capable of stopping threats, ideally before they execute and cause any harm.

ESET Mobile Security provides award-winning protection against a multitude of Android security issues such as viruses, ransomware, adware, and other malware, or unwanted permissions given to applications. It also offers multilayered protection against phishing, smishing, and scams.

Here is a brief list of some features:

Antivirus – Protects against malicious app installs and from malicious apps downloaded from app stores. With permission, Antivirus can also check all files on the mobile device.

Anti-Phishing – Protects against malicious websites attempting to acquire users’ sensitive information on the most used browsers and social networks including Facebook, Facebook lite, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger. SMS notifications are also covered. It also protects from accessing phishing or fraudulent sites that can be used, for example, to distribute malicious apps.

Link Scanner – This year, ESET introduced Link Scanner, which allows ESET Mobile Security to check every link a user tries to open, not only those coming from supported websites and social network apps. For instance, if a user receives a phishing link in a game app and opens it, the link is first redirected to the ESET Mobile Security app, where it is checked before being redirected to the browser.

Remember the Roblox attacks? Some of them start exactly with phishing links received via in-game messages or found in fake profiles used by scammers.

Adware Detector – Sometimes a user cannot identify which app is causing annoying unwanted pop-ups. The ESET Adware Detector functionality tracks all apps that are shown on the screen so the user can easily identify the app that should not be running and delete it.

Payment Protection – This is a safe launcher for financial apps, ensuring that other apps on your device will not be able to recognize the launch of a sensitive app, nor allow other apps to replace or read the screens of the financial app in question. This makes use of finance or other sensitive apps safer.

Anti-Theft – The ESET Anti-Theft feature protects your mobile device from unauthorized access, enables you to monitor foreign activity, and tracks your device’s location. You can also display a message to the finder if your device is lost.

What about iOS?

There may be some iOS users who still hold on to the myth that their devices are secure simply because of the way these operating systems are built – applications on iPhone or iPad devices run in their own separate virtual spaces and can communicate with each other to a very limited extent. This environment also prevents external antivirus apps for iOS from working properly.

However, there are notable cyber incidents, proving that iOS is not impenetrable. Therefore, iOS users should enhance the security of their devices with additional layers such as VPN , Identity Protection*, and Password Manager.

All of these are available for both iOS and Android users via ESET HOME Security, the recently upgraded all-in-one solution created for consumers who want to protect their household against all kinds of cyberthreats.

Be prepared for anything

Packed with tons of features and capabilities, mobile devices should make our lives easier, and not trigger headaches due to cyberthreats. That is why multi-layered protection focusing on prevention is needed.

Being a security leader with more than three decades of experience, ESET protects smartphone users of all generations whether they are browsing the internet, chatting, shopping, playing games, or executing financial operations.

* ESET Identity Protection is available only in selected countries.

About ESET
For 30 years, ESET® has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services for businesses and consumers worldwide. With solutions ranging from endpoint security to encryption and two-factor authentication, ESET’s high-performing, easy-to-use products give individuals and businesses the peace of mind to enjoy the full potential of their technology. ESET unobtrusively protects and monitors 24/7, updating defenses in real time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company. Backed by R&D facilities worldwide, ESET became the first IT security company to earn 100 Virus Bulletin VB100 awards, identifying every single “in-the-wild” malware without interruption since 2003.