Endpoint Security Guide: How to Protect Remote Teams & Devices

Remote work is here to stay, but with it comes new security risks. More devices mean more networks and more chances for cyberattacks to happen. This is why endpoint security is essential. Endpoint security protects laptops, phones, and other devices from attacks, keeping your business safe no matter where your team is located.

For global teams, securing endpoints isn't always easy. Different countries have different regulations and different risks. A distributed company often has a bigger attack surface, and IT teams may struggle to manage security across time zones and borders.

Here is our comprehensive guide on endpoint security for global teams, including why it is important, the potential risks, and how Deel IT can help.

What is endpoint security?

Endpoint security protects the devices that connect to your company's network, including laptops, smartphones, and tablets. These devices, known as endpoints, are often the first target for cyber threats. As such, it is essential that they are protected. Without proper protection in place, they can become an easy entry point for hackers, malware, and ransomware attacks.

Unlike traditional antivirus software, modern endpoint security solutions do more than just detect viruses. They use advanced threat detection and real-time monitoring to prevent cyberattacks before they're able to cause any damage.

Key components of endpoint security:

• Antivirus software
• Firewalls
• Data encryption
• Endpoint detection and response (EDR) systems
• Centralized management platforms

What are the main endpoint security risks?

Every device connected to your company network is a potential entry point for cyber threats. Without proper security measures, hackers can exploit vulnerabilities to steal data, deploy malware, or gain unauthorized access. Here are the most common endpoint security risks and how they threaten business operations.

Phishing and social engineering

Phishing is the name given to any fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and payment information. Hackers use manipulation techniques to trick employees into handing over sensitive information.

A phishing email might look like an urgent request from IT, asking an employee to reset their password. Click the link, enter your details, and just like that, your credentials are stolen. With over 90% of cyberattacks starting with phishing, companies need strong protections in place to protect their data and their employees.

Zero-day exploits

Cybercriminals love outdated software. When a new security flaw (known as a ‘zero-day’ vulnerability) is discovered, hackers race to exploit it before companies have had the chance to fix it. It is known as a ‘zero-day’ vulnerability because the flaw is unknown to anyone capable of mitigating it.

Without regular and automatic updates, remote devices become an open door for attackers. However, endpoint protection helps mitigate this risk and prevent hackers from seizing their opportunity.

Malware infections

A malware infection is when malicious software, such as a computer virus, takes control of a device. This can happen when an employee downloads a file they think is safe, but it isn’t.

Malware can infect an entire network and even steal data. Global teams that rely on cloud apps and file-sharing are especially at risk and will need to take extra precautions.

Rogue USB devices

An attacker drops an infected USB drive in a coworking space. A curious employee plugs it in, not realizing it contains malware that can spread across the company’s entire network. It’s a classic but effective trick.

As a result, organizations can suffer huge consequences. That’s why any unknown USB device should be treated with the utmost caution. To protect your network from rogue USB devices, ​​you’ll need to invest in endpoint security software with integrated USB access control features.

Public Wi-Fi exploitation

Free Wi-Fi at a café or airport? Convenient, but dangerous. Cybercriminals can easily intercept data from unsecured networks. They can steal logins, emails, payment information, and even the files stored on your computer.

Fake networks are also a risk. Cybercriminals set up fake Wi-Fi with similar names to legitimate ones to trick users into connecting. Once they’re connected, they can access your sensitive data with ease.

Credential theft

Credential theft is a huge issue, resulting from weak passwords, reused logins, and a lack of multi-factor authentication. 70% of weak passwords can be cracked in under one minute and are the cause of over 80% of organizational data breaches.

Once attackers get in, they can impersonate employees to gain access to confidential data and move deeper into company systems.

Protecting endpoints means defending against all these risks before they become expensive data breaches.

Why is endpoint protection important for global teams?

Endpoint protection is essential for global teams. Here’s why.

1. Protecting remote devices from cyber threats

Remote teams bring big opportunities, but also big security risks. A study by IBM reported that the average cost of a data breach has increased by $137,000 due to the rise of remote work. Global teams are reliant on remote work to operate, so ensuring strong endpoint protection is in place is fundamental.

Remote devices mean more entry points and more entry points mean more risks. Laptops, phones, and remote devices all make easy targets for hackers. And to make things more complicated, IT teams can’t always see what’s happening across different networks, as a result, it becomes harder for them to stop attacks. Add in unsecured Wi-Fi and personal devices, and the risk of data breaches skyrockets. To eliminate endpoint security risks, your company will need a strong security plan that protects every device, everywhere.

2. Ensuring compliance with global regulations

IT compliance regulations like GDPR, SOC 2, and ISO 27001 don’t wait for security gaps to be fixed. If your business operates across borders, compliance is a non-negotiable. Different countries have different cybersecurity laws, and failing to meet them can mean fines, legal trouble, and reputational damage.

Endpoint protection helps businesses stay compliant by enforcing up-to-date security policies. Sensitive data is always encrypted and unauthorized users are kept out.

3. Managing security across different time zones

Cybersecurity has no business hours. When companies work across multiple time zones, IT teams need real-time visibility and control, which isn't always possible. Yet, a security breach in one region can't wait until another team wakes up.

Endpoint protection provides 24/7 monitoring, including instant threat detection and prevention. This way, attacks are stopped and removed before they have time to cause any damage.

4. Reducing the risk of insider threats

Not all security risks come from the outside. Employees, whether intentionally or accidentally, can risk exposing company data to threats. ​​Maybe an employee downloads an unsafe app, clicks on a phishing link, or stores sensitive company data on an unsecured device. These are all potential risks.

Endpoint security minimizes these risks with automated threat detection, controlled access to devices, and ongoing security training.

5. Supporting secure remote work policies

As of 2024, 35.1 million people in the United States alone are reported to be working remotely, making endpoint security a must-have, not a nice-to-have.

Remote work is the future. Employees work from home, coworking spaces, and cafés. But outside of the office, security risks multiply. Endpoint protection is absolutely essential because it introduces critical security measures like VPNs and multi-factor authentication (MFA) that protect company data and ensure compliance with global regulations.

Without endpoint security, your business cannot safely operate as a remote, global team.

Why is endpoint protection important for global teams?

Endpoint protection is essential for global teams. Here’s why.

Protecting remote devices from cyber threats

Remote teams bring big opportunities, but also big security risks. A study by IBM reported that the average cost of a data breach has increased by $137,000 due to the rise of remote work. Global teams are reliant on remote work to operate, so ensuring strong endpoint protection is in place is fundamental.

Remote devices mean more entry points and more entry points mean more risks. Laptops, phones, and remote devices all make easy targets for hackers. And to make things more complicated, IT teams can’t always see what’s happening across different networks, as a result, it becomes harder for them to stop attacks. Add in unsecured Wi-Fi and personal devices, and the risk of data breaches skyrockets. To eliminate endpoint security risks, your company will need a strong security plan that protects every device, everywhere.

Ensuring compliance with global regulations

IT compliance regulations like GDPR, SOC 2, and ISO 27001 don’t wait for security gaps to be fixed. If your business operates across borders, compliance is a non-negotiable. Different countries have different cybersecurity laws, and failing to meet them can mean fines, legal trouble, and reputational damage.

Endpoint protection helps businesses stay compliant by enforcing up-to-date security policies. Sensitive data is always encrypted and unauthorized users are kept out.

Managing security across different time zones

Cybersecurity has no business hours. When companies work across multiple time zones, IT teams need real-time visibility and control, which isn't always possible. Yet, a security breach in one region can't wait until another team wakes up.

Endpoint protection provides 24/7 monitoring, including instant threat detection and prevention. This way, attacks are stopped and removed before they have time to cause any damage.

Reducing the risk of insider threats

Not all security risks come from the outside. Employees, whether intentionally or accidentally, can risk exposing company data to threats. ​​Maybe an employee downloads an unsafe app, clicks on a phishing link, or stores sensitive company data on an unsecured device. These are all potential risks.

Endpoint security minimizes these risks with automated threat detection, controlled access to devices, and ongoing security training.

Supporting secure remote work policies

As of 2024, 35.1 million people in the United States alone are reported to be working remotely, making endpoint security a must-have, not a nice-to-have.

Remote work is the future. Employees work from home, coworking spaces, and cafés. But outside of the office, security risks multiply. Endpoint protection is absolutely essential because it introduces critical security measures like VPNs and multi-factor authentication (MFA) that protect company data and ensure compliance with global regulations.

Without endpoint security, your business cannot safely operate as a remote, global team.

How remote work introduces security gaps

Remote workers are exposed to cybersecurity risks that traditional office setups don’t face. Employees often rely on personal or public Wi-Fi—whether at home, in cafés, or on the go—which isn't as secure as office networks. This makes them easy targets for man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks and data interception.

Many remote workers also use personal laptops, phones, and tablets that lack corporate-grade security protections, leaving endpoints open to unauthorized access. Shadow IT—when employees use unapproved apps and devices without IT oversight—further compounds this risk, making it harder to enforce security policies and prevent data leaks.

What’s more, cloud-based SaaS applications, including communication and productivity tools, add even more risk. This is because businesses have to rely on third-party security measures to protect their sensitive company data.

Having a globally distributed workforce also means that companies have a larger attack surface (total number of entry points). Every remote device is a new potential entry point for cyber threats. As companies grow and become more dispersed, IT teams may struggle to enforce centralized security controls across different time zones, networks, and personal devices. As a result, it can take longer to detect and respond to threats, opening the company network up to increased risks.

Without addressing these security gaps, companies open themselves up to financial and reputational damage.

See also: How to Create a Secure IT Environment for Hybrid Teams: A Complete Guide

Why traditional antivirus is not enough

Traditional antivirus software simply isn't built for the cyber threats we experience today, particularly as global remote teams.

Signature-based detection

Traditional antivirus software primarily relies on identifying malware by matching it against a database of known signatures. If a new, previously unseen malware doesn’t match any known signature, it won’t be detected.

This creates a vulnerability as more sophisticated attacks, like fileless malware, zero-day exploits, and advanced persistent threats (APTs) can slip through the cracks, potentially putting your organization at risk.

Limited threat visibility

Traditional antivirus software only scans devices periodically, meaning it checks your system for threats at scheduled intervals. ​​While this approach was sufficient for slower-moving threats in the past, things are much faster-paced these days.

During the intervals between scans, protection is limited and malware can spread rapidly. Continuous scanning and monitoring is the only way to safely detect and prevent attacks.

Inability to respond to attacks

In the event of an attack managing to bypass defenses, traditional antivirus tools are often unable to isolate the threat and mitigate damage. Considering how quickly things can go downhill once an attack has infiltrated the system, any threats must be contained and neutralized imminently.

False positives and negatives

Antivirus systems can be prone to both false positives and false negatives. False positives occur when harmless files are flagged as malicious. This can prompt the user to dismiss future warnings and potentially overlook legitimate threats. On the other hand, false negatives happen when the software is unable to detect actual malware.

Both scenarios highlight why organizations need to go beyond traditional antivirus software when securing endpoints.

The solution:

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and AI-driven security platforms provide real-time monitoring and proactive threat detection and responses—no waiting for periodic scans. Not only do they react, but they also predict and prevent. If any suspicious process runs on an employee's laptop, EDR will flag it immediately and stop any threats from spreading.

AI-powered security uses advanced algorithms to learn from data and predict and prevent threats faster than ever before. These tools not only catch known threats but also stop new ones in their tracks, giving you a proactive defense.

7 essential components of an endpoint security strategy

Endpoint security is made up of several essential components that all work together to protect your devices from cyber threats.

1. Antivirus and anti-malware software

Endpoint protection starts with antivirus software. It’s the basic yet crucial tool that protects your devices from known threats—things like viruses, ransomware, and spyware. This is your first line of defense, keeping everyday, run-of-the-mill attacks at bay. But as we know, antivirus software alone isn't enough anymore.

2. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

EDR is the next level of protection, constantly monitoring your devices for suspicious behavior. If something doesn't seem right, EDR will step in to investigate. If something is wrong, EDR will contain the issue so no harm can be done. This proactive defense ensures that even if a threat does slip through, it doesn't stand a chance.

3. Firewalls

​​​​Firewalls are like virtual bouncers. They control the traffic coming into and out of your network, so trusted connections are allowed in but unauthorized visitors are kept out. Firewalls have the ability to block malicious activity before it even has the chance to enter your systems. This barrier helps you maintain a secure network perimeter by stopping cybercriminals from exploiting your endpoints in the first place.

4. Encryption

Encryption makes data unreadable to anyone except those who are allowed to see it. It works by scrambling the data and turning it into a secret code that is only decipherable by those with permission to view it. Even if someone intercepts the information, they won't be able to make sense of it. This way, confidential information stays safe in the unlikely event of a data breach.

5. Device control

Device control lets you manage what external devices can connect to your endpoints—things like USB drives, external hard drives, and more. This helps prevent malware from sneaking into your systems via physical devices. With device control, you set the rules and only trusted devices are allowed to connect, keeping potential threats out of your network.

6. Patch management

Patch management involves applying vendor-issued software updates to fix (or patch up) new errors, such as vulnerabilities or bugs. Applying patches and ensuring your software is always up-to-date is an effective way to keep your systems secure and avoid being caught off guard by a security breach.

7. Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

MFA requires the user to go beyond just entering a password. Additional verification is required, usually a code sent to either your phone or email address. With MFA, even if a hacker gets hold of someone's password, they still can't access the system without that additional verification. As a result, MFA makes it much harder for attackers to gain entry.

Endpoint security and global IT compliance regulations

Endpoint security is not only about protection, it's also about staying compliant with global regulations and avoiding financial and reputational penalties. Governments around the world have created strict rules to safeguard personal data. Let's break down a few key regulations you need to be aware of.

GDPR (EU)

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is Europe's strict data privacy law. It sets the bar high for how companies can handle personal data. With GDPR, your endpoints must be secured to protect user data, and you're required to ensure that any data breaches are reported within 71 hours. Non-compliance can result in huge fines of up to 20 million euros or 4% of your global turnover.

CCPA (US)

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) gives residents of California more control over their personal data by ensuring they have the right to access, delete, and opt out of the sale of their data. For businesses, this means endpoint security has to be on point to protect customer data and ensure that you comply with these consumer rights.

ISO 27001

ISO 27001 is an international standard for information security management systems. Essentially, it’s a framework for keeping digital information safe using a systematic approach. This includes protecting devices like laptops and phones from hackers. By implementing ISO 27001, you’re ensuring that your endpoint security is up to international standards.

Cross-border data transfer risks

With businesses going global, data is often transferred across borders. But not all countries have the same privacy standards. When sensitive information is transferred between countries, it must be handled in compliance with local laws. Endpoint security plays a crucial role here—if your endpoints are compromised during cross-border transfers, you could be in violation of laws like GDPR or CCPA. The risks are high, which is why secure data handling and encryption are absolutely essential.

Read more: Cross-border data privacy guide

How Deel IT enhances endpoint security for global teams

Deel IT helps businesses secure every device, prevent cyber threats, and automate compliance without slowing teams down. Here's how we help keep your endpoints protected, no matter where your team is located.

Cloud-based endpoint security

Remote teams can work from anywhere, so security needs to follow them everywhere. Deel IT's cloud-based endpoint security protects every device, no matter the location. Our AI-driven threat detection scans for any suspicious activity in real-time. It blocks malware and phishing attempts before they have a chance to become a problem. No outdated software. No manual updates. Just intelligent security that doesn't let you down.

EDR and advanced threat protection

Cyber threats move fast, so your security needs to move faster. Deel IT's Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) constantly monitors devices for any unusual behavior. If a threat is detected, our system automatically isolates the device, investigates the risk, and neutralizes the attack before it spreads. Plus, our threat intelligence learns from real-world attacks to keep your company one step ahead of cybercriminals.

Zero-trust security architecture

With our zero-trust security, only authorized users can gain access to company systems. This zero-trust model means no user, device, or network connection is trusted by default. Every login, access request, and data transfer must be verified before approval. Multi-factor authentication (MFA), device verification, and strict access controls ensure that only the right people—and the right devices—can access company data.

Automated compliance management

Data privacy laws are strict, and they vary from country to country. Deel IT makes compliance easy with built-in security policies that align with global regulations like GDPR, CCPA, AND ISO 27001. Our automated compliance management system makes sure every endpoint meets security standards so your company can avoid fines and reduce security risks.

Seamless integration with enterprise networks

Deel IT offers security without disruptions by integrating with your existing enterprise networks, cloud environments, and other remote work tools. We understand that global teams are spread across many countries and even more devices. Our service ensures every endpoint stays protected, without adding any complexity to your operations.

Want to find out more? Book a demo today and see how Deel IT can help you manage endpoint security for your global team.