Network Security vs Endpoint Security - Which one is more important?

June 28, 2022

Introduction

When it comes to protecting your organization from cyber threats, there are two key areas you need to focus on: network security and endpoint security. But which one is more important? Let's take a closer look at each one and see if we can come to a conclusion.

Network Security

Network security involves securing the network infrastructure and devices used to connect to it. This includes firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, network segmentation, and more. The goal of network security is to prevent unauthorized access to your organization's network.

According to a report by Accenture, the average cost of a cyber attack on a company's network is $2.4 million. This includes the cost of the attack itself, as well as the cost of lost productivity and revenue. Given this high cost, network security is clearly an important aspect of your organization's overall cybersecurity strategy.

Endpoint Security

Endpoint security, on the other hand, focuses on protecting the individual devices used by employees to access your organization's network. This includes laptops, desktops, mobile devices, and more. Endpoint security measures include antivirus software, intrusion detection and prevention, and data encryption.

According to a report by Ponemon Institute, the average cost of a data breach caused by a compromised endpoint is $9.2 million. This includes the cost of the breach itself, as well as the cost of repairing the damage and restoring customer trust. Given this high cost, endpoint security is clearly a crucial aspect of your organization's overall cybersecurity strategy.

Network Security vs Endpoint Security

So, which one is more important - network security or endpoint security? The truth is, they are both equally important. A cyber attack on your organization's network infrastructure can compromise all of your endpoints, while a compromised endpoint can provide an attacker with a foothold to gain access to your network.

In other words, both network security and endpoint security are crucial in protecting your organization from cyber threats. They should both be treated as essential components of your overall cybersecurity strategy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, network security and endpoint security are both important aspects of your organization's overall cybersecurity strategy. While there is no clear winner in the network security vs endpoint security debate, both are essential for protecting your organization from cyber threats. So, make sure your organization has robust measures in place for both areas.

References

Accenture (2021). Cost of Cyber Crime.
Ponemon Institute (2021). 2021 Cost of a Data Breach Report.