Why Endpoint Security Tools Are Still Such a Challenge

Despite advances in endpoint security, Sergei Rousakov, chief security architect at LinkedIn, said the landscape remains complex. He said endpoint tools need to take a more integrated approach that includes identity and device context to truly protect against cybersecurity threats.

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“We’ve made significant advances in managing and responding to devices in real time and in endpoint detection and response capabilities,” Rousakov said. But an endpoint does not exist in isolation, he said. It plays a crucial role within the business context. Understanding its use, who is using it, and how it is being used is paramount for security.

While the industry has advanced in identifying and responding to threats on devices, there is still work to be done, Rousakov said. He advocates for an integrated approach that pairs identity threat detection and response with endpoint detection and response systems. The key challenge in this approach is uniquely identifying devices and users to enhance security measures effectively and cut out the noise.

“The challenge isn’t necessarily what vendors offer, but integrating security within the operating context,” he said. This integration requires a nuanced understanding of the device’s state, user behavior and business processes it supports.

In this video interview with Information Security Media Group, Rousakov discussed:

• The evolving landscape of endpoint security and its challenges;




• The importance of integrating device and identity context for enhanced security;




• The role of identity threat detection and response in addressing cybersecurity threats.

Rousakov is responsible for defining and managing LinkedIn security strategy and driving the implementation and execution of next-gen security solutions. He has spent more than 20 years in cybersecurity and information technology and has broad experience in financial security, infrastructure security, security architecture and engineering, security strategy, and planning. Before joining LinkedIn, Rousakov was responsible for the security of eBay’s new payments platform and had an extensive career in various roles at Cisco.