Hackers, criminals, and even foreign states may (and eventually will) find ways to infiltrate a company’s networks, often with intentional or unintentional help from insiders within the organization. Integrating the protection of End-User Computing (EUC) files into an enterprise information security architecture is crucial, as many of the most significant and harmful data breaches and loss incidents have involved EUCs (especially spreadsheets). Companies must know which files contain sensitive and critical data, where they are located, and implement appropriate governance procedures.
Cybersecurity and information protection have become top priorities for senior management and security professionals alike. Battling highly dynamic threats is a major challenge today. Traditional cybersecurity tools, such as firewalls, EDR solutions, and anti-malware systems, are rapidly losing effectiveness as hackers (sometimes state-sponsored) become more sophisticated and determined in bypassing them. Adding to the complexity is the vast number of devices on which information is shared and stored (desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones), making attack possibilities seem almost endless.
Historically, IT departments focused on perimeter defenses, such as increasingly robust firewalls, EDR solutions, anti-malware technologies, and Data Loss Prevention (DLP) tools. However, relying solely on technology cannot provide a complete solution for three key reasons:
One of the most vulnerable areas is End-User Computing (EUC) files, which are unstructured and may contain sensitive information, such as personal, financial, or health-related data. Considering the scale of potential losses, the attack surface associated with EUC files must be minimized and integrated into the information security strategy as a core element.
EUC encompasses a variety of applications and file types (often associated with alternative acronyms such as EUCA, EUDA, etc.). Their common feature is that these files or applications are not managed by the IT department, which means they lack many of the protections and controls present in enterprise applications. Statistically, there are approximately 3,000 such EUC files per employee. While the scale is immense, the number of files critical to business operations is significantly smaller, making the issue manageable with the right support.
Excel spreadsheets are undoubtedly the most commonly used tool for analysis, reporting, and other computational tasks, playing a critical role in processes such as financial reporting across all industries. Due to their ubiquity, ease of use, and flexibility, spreadsheets are also widely used to store and process sensitive data. These EUC files are highly vulnerable to data loss as they are rarely monitored or controlled. End-users do not consistently apply best practices in password security, and Active Directory controls have their limitations.
Although sensitive information may exist in unstructured EUC files, these are often overlooked by IT departments and rarely fall under proactively managed data security policies. It is worth noting that some of the most high-profile and costly incidents have involved the loss of sensitive information contained in spreadsheets and other End-User Computing files.
While nearly every company is now paying attention to cybersecurity and information protection, not all are recognizing the risks associated with EUC files.
Implementing an integrated platform for managing End-User Computing files, such as EUC Insight, addresses the challenges discussed in this article, including auditing, inventory, tracking, response, risk analysis, and evaluation.
This platform enables the application of all best practices to ensure complete security. Thanks to its modular design, companies can start with selected features and add others as needed.
The EUC Insight solution supports various file types and locations, making it sufficient for managing all EUC files.
The EUC Insight platform is fully customizable, allowing it to align with existing business processes and company policies. Leveraging the latest technologies, including Machine Learning and AI, it offers a scalable and efficient solution for any enterprise. With 25 years of experience, CIMCON Software, the solution’s provider, remains a pioneer in managing End-User Computing risks. The solution currently protects nearly 600 organizations in 30 countries.
Interested in learning more about the EUC Insight solution or considering its implementation in your organization? Fill out the contact form, and one of our experts will get in touch with you.