The Endpoint Management Doctor is in

The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most regulated industries in the world. Making sure you’re complying with government directives while efficiently managing IT operations can be a critical challenge for IT administrators who work at pharmaceutical companies. 

Endpoint management, specifically, can be an arduous task made even more complex by the need to comply with data security and privacy regulations. But there’s good news: With a few best practices, IT admins can alleviate their endpoint management pain points. 

In this post, we'll provide five best practices that can help you manage your endpoints effectively.

First, IT admins should deploy an endpoint management solution that can manage and secure all endpoints, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as leading third-party apps. Endpoint management software is vital to keep endpoint devices secure, updated, and in compliance with regulatory requirements. An automated solution can help reduce redundant actions, connect complex processes, and enable cross-team orchestration – to enhance security and maximize productivity.

One of the most critical aspects of effective endpoint management is making sure all your org’s devices are updated with the latest patches. New threats and vulnerabilities are discovered and exploited by bad actors daily. So, pharmaceutical companies must be proactive in updating their endpoints to avoid being exposed to the latest ransomware or malware.

IT admins in pharma companies have to execute a strong security policy for endpoint management. A sound security policy helps make sure:

• Devices are updated and configured correctly

• Correct permissions and access are granted

• Critical vulnerabilities are quickly prioritized and remediated 

Additionally, IT admins must enforce strong password policies, promote two-factor authentication, and allow only authorized apps on endpoint devices.

Endpoint devices can be lost, stolen, or damaged. However, a robust backup strategy can help IT admins recover lost data and maintain business continuity. Backup policies also play a role in disaster recovery and business continuity planning. Plus, they can be useful in meeting compliance requirements like HIPAA and GDPR.

Finally, IT admins should provide endpoint device training to all end users. End users must understand how to connect to secure networks, avoid phishing scams, and follow proper security protocols while using endpoint devices. 

By providing end user education, IT admins can develop a culture of security in their organization and reduce the largest vulnerability within their organization – human error.