In simple terms, an endpoint is one end of a communications channel. It refers to parts of a network that don’t simply relay communications along its channels or switch those communications from one channel to another. An endpoint is the place where communications originate, and where they are received—in essence, any device that can be connected to a network.
Examples of endpoint devices include:
- Desktops
- Laptops
- Mobile devices
- Tablets
- Smartwatches
- Internet of Things (IoT) devices
- Point-of-Sale (POS) systems
- Medical devices
- Digital printers
- Servers
From a computer security perspective, “endpoint” will most likely refer to a desktop or laptop. Servers and VMs fall into cloud workload protection, while mobile devices (phones, tablets, Chromebooks, etc.) fall into a specialized category of mobile threat defense. Ceating and implementing security software on mobile devices is hugely different when compared to traditional endpoints.
As technology continues to advance, there are more mobile devices being used for business and personal use. Smartphones, smart watches, tablets, etc., all help businesses run more efficiently. But, they can also open you up to potential security threats at the same time.
Endpoints are now the true perimeter of an enterprise, which means they’ve become the forefront of security.