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Endpoint Monitoring for IT Teams: How to Detect, Respond, and Secure

Publish Date: 07-30-2025
 

As of 2021, the average enterprise had 135,000 endpoint devices on its network. Having so many laptops, mobile phones, servers, and other devices in their environment makes maintaining a robust cybersecurity posture a difficult task. That's why keeping an eye on your network touchpoints is so essential — and it's what endpoint monitoring is all about. 

This guide will examine the importance of endpoint monitoring and its main functions for your operations. First we'll answer the question, "What is endpoint monitoring?", and then explain the difference between endpoint monitoring and traditional device management. We'll also look at the key functionalities of the leading endpoint monitoring solutions and give some strategies for how to boost endpoint security in your network. Dive in to see how an effective endpoint monitoring infrastructure can enhance your IT processes, and find out what endpoint monitoring tools are available to help you improve your network visibility. 

What Is Endpoint Monitoring?

Let's first identify endpoints. Some common examples of endpoints are:

  • Laptops

  • Mobile phones

  • Servers

  • IoT devices

  • Virtual machines

  • Software

  • Manufacturing devices

Endpoint monitoring is the continuous tracking, analyzing, and managing of all endpoints across your network, to give you greater visibility and control over your IT environment. 

Endpoint Monitoring vs. Device Management

While traditional device management involves properly configuring all devices throughout your organization and ensuring proper compliance, endpoint monitoring goes further. It leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) to carry out real-time threat detection and analysis and employs automation to remediate any incoming attacks according to the predetermined security policies. The result is greater control over your network activities, faster response times in the event of a cyber attack, and a stronger cybersecurity posture. 

Key Functions of Modern Endpoint Monitoring Tools

There are different tools for monitoring key functions of the wide variety of endpoints. The leading solutions assist with real-time behavioral analysis and anomaly detection, patch management and configuration compliance, and API endpoint monitoring operations. 

Real-Time Behavior and Anomaly Detection

Endpoint monitoring is frequently used to analyze the behavior of end users or other devices making requests on your network so that any unusual or unauthorized activity can be detected and resolved. Some common activities that an endpoint performance monitoring tool oversees include:

  • Login attempts: An excessive number of login attempts could indicate an attempted data breach. Monitoring login attempts can help you detect cyber threats so that you can address them sooner. 

  • Download attempts: Disgruntled employees or advanced persistent threats (APTs) may try to exfiltrate sensitive data. Endpoint security monitoring tools can stratify permissions levels and watch for any unauthorized downloads, keeping your data secure. 

  • Clicked links: Phishing attempts constitute over 90% of cyber attacks. Monitoring which links end users select lets your team identify phishing attempts and shut them down before they infect your network. 

  • Website access: Some users may access malicious websites that could endanger your environment or may simply view sites that hinder their productivity. Performance monitoring tools keep your network safe and your employees on task. 

From identifying unauthorized download or login attempts to preventing phishing attacks or visiting dangerous sites, performance monitoring tools give you the visibility and control over your network that you need to keep your assets secure. That makes them a critical part of your risk management strategy, and of your broader data breach response plan. 

Patch and Configuration Compliance

Modern networks have too many endpoints for IT teams to monitor them all manually. Endpoint monitoring tools let you automate important workflows across your network, such as:

Automating your patch and configuration activities can also improve compliance. Many regulations and industry standards have data security requirements regarding version control, security updates, and patch management, and endpoint monitoring systems ensure that these requirements don't go overlooked. The result is better performance for your network as well as improved compliance. 

Application and API Endpoint Monitoring

API endpoint monitoring tools check for suspicious activity at the API layer, preventing unauthorized requests from reaching your other network components. They also have performance management functionalities that let you monitor response time, error rates, or other key performance metrics, so that you can identify and resolve any issues. This improves the quality of your applications, creating a better experience for your end users.

Endpoint Monitoring vs. EDR: Understanding the Difference

Endpoint monitoring encompasses a large number of functions across your network. A few components of endpoint monitoring include:

  • Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), which focuses on threat detection, analysis, and response

  • Extended Detection and Response (XDR), which integrates endpoint data from a broader range of security layers 

  • Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPP), which are deployed onto the endpoint device in order to attach extra security features, such as firewalls, anti-malware or anti-virus software, or port control functionalities  

While each of these components is useful for giving a comprehensive endpoint monitoring strategy, the solution you choose will depend on your company's needs. Take a look at all your endpoint monitoring choices and find the one that aligns with your business goals. 

KPIs and Metrics to Track for Endpoint Performance Monitoring

In addition to the metrics listed above, endpoint monitoring tools with performance management features let you track KPIs that yield insights into your network health. A few metrics to monitor are:

  • CPU usage

  • Disk utilization thresholds

  • Number of failed login attempts

  • Patch delay rates

  • USB device access

  • False positive rates

  • Throughput

  • Latency

Monitoring endpoints by tracking these KPIs enables teams to identify performance issues, detect potential cyber threats, and improve their data protection. Use them to gain full visibility into your network.

Policy Enforcement and Incident Response Across Enterprise Endpoints

Endpoint monitoring solutions don't just give you insights on your network activity — they give you control over your system. Leading endpoint management solutions let you enforce security policies to resolve a cyber threat faster. Examples include: 

  • USB blocking to prevent data exfiltration

  • App blacklisting to eliminate malicious applications

  • Screen lock timers to prevent unauthorized login attempts

Modern endpoint monitoring tools also leverage the power of AI to study the most recent endpoint data, letting them detect and resolve a security incident faster. Look for an endpoint monitoring solution that's equipped with an AI-native platform and that offers endpoint AI strategies for maximum protection.

Dell Ecosystem Examples for Endpoint Monitoring

Dell offers a range of endpoint monitoring solutions designed to increase your network visibility. Our Dell Endpoint Security Strategy highlights the endpoint monitoring tools we offer and gives you actionable insights on how to strengthen your cybersecurity posture. Check it out or join our community to learn more and elevate your endpoint monitoring processes today.