Endpoint management is the practice of monitoring, securing, and controlling all connected devices on an organization’s network. Endpoints can include computers, laptops, mobile devices, and servers, as well as printers, security systems, and other Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
As the boundaries of corporate networks blur and devices multiply, modern IT environments face a growing challenge of managing risk at scale. According to a 2025 Enterprise Strategy Group report, 59% of unmanaged endpoints are “unintentionally unmanaged” with no alternative security measures in place. Those blind spots put organizations at a higher risk of security vulnerabilities or data breaches, particularly without adequate endpoint privilege management controls.
To implement endpoint management at scale, IT teams often rely on remote monitoring and management (RMM) systems, which offer centralized visibility, automation, and policy enforcement across device fleets.
A well-executed endpoint management strategy delivers centralized visibility and control, keeping IT infrastructure running smoothly while defending against increasingly sophisticated cyberthreats.
Key takeaways
- Endpoint management brings device monitoring, security, and control into one centralized framework across diverse IT environments.
- With more endpoints and more complex threats, strategic endpoint management is essential to keeping your business secure and operational.
- Automation reduces manual work while strengthening defenses and supporting compliance goals.
- Not all endpoint security management approaches are alike. Some focus on basic monitoring, while others offer full-scale protection through integrated RMM solutions.
- Properly implementing solutions calls for clear policies, timely updates, and ongoing oversight of all connected devices.
Why endpoint management is important
MSPs and IT departments today manage countless endpoints across client networks—from employee laptops and mobile devices to cloud-based applications and IoT sensors. Globally, the number of devices is projected to hit 46 billion by the end of 2028.
This surge in connectivity has created new opportunities for today’s workforce, but the more complex IT infrastructure has introduced new security risks for organizations. Cybercriminals have weaponized this complexity, launching increasingly sophisticated attacks targeting endpoint vulnerabilities. Proactive endpoint management is an increasingly important component of an effective attack surface management strategy.
The financial stakes for organizations couldn’t be higher. Recent data finds that the cost of a data breach globally has climbed to $4.88 million. Further, organizations that invest in security automation incurred an average of $2.2 million less in breach costs compared to those without proper endpoint oversight.
But the value goes beyond defense. Strategic endpoint management tames device sprawl, helping IT teams scale their security operations without dramatically increasing staff costs. Tools for patch deployment, threat detection, and 24/7 monitoring make it possible to strengthen security while keeping overhead low.
How endpoint management works
Endpoint management is typically executed through centralized software tools that connect to enrolled devices, often within RMM systems. Lightweight agents, installed on every device, create secure channels for real-time monitoring, policy enforcement, and rapid remote fixes without on-site visits. They also allow IT teams to intervene for remote troubleshooting when problems arise.
This centralized hub gives IT teams a single point of control to configure security policies, deploy software, and monitor device health across the entire ecosystem. This bird’s-eye view eliminates the inefficiency of managing devices individually and enforces consistent policies across locations and users.
Today’s modern endpoint management solutions integrate with core IT infrastructure, including security information and event management (SIEM) systems and cloud-based identity providers. This integration creates a unified security ecosystem, where endpoint data feeds into broader threat intelligence, accelerates incident response, and strengthens defenses across the board.
Types of endpoint management solutions
Organizations can choose from several approaches to endpoint security management, each tailored to specific use cases:
Remote monitoring and management (RMM) is a comprehensive option for endpoint management, as it supports endpoint monitoring, remote management, and patching from a centralized solution. Modern RMM software may also include capabilities like network monitoring and management and remote troubleshooting. This streamlined approach can help reduce the need for IT techs to switch between tools throughout the workday and alleviate the burden of training employees on multiple disparate systems.
Mobile device management (MDM) specifically encompasses mobile devices, like smartphones and tablets. The need for MDM solutions increased in conjunction with bring-your-own-device (BYOD) practices, in which organizations enable employees to access company applications from their personal devices while keeping corporate networks and data secure.
Enterprise mobility management (EMM) expands beyond basic mobile device control to encompass application management, content security, and identity services. EMM solutions address the broader challenge of securing mobile productivity workflows rather than simply managing individual devices.
Unified endpoint management (UEM) combines traditional PC management capabilities with mobile device management under a single solution. UEM solutions support consistent policy enforcement and security controls across all endpoint types, regardless of operating systems or device category, though most UEM systems lack the remote access capabilities offered by an RMM tool.
Endpoint security management emphasizes threat detection and incident response across endpoints. These solutions also enforce policy and integrate with broader security operations to provide real-time threat intelligence and automated response capabilities.
Benefits of endpoint management solutions
Strategic endpoint management creates a ripple effect across IT operations. Organizations that invest in comprehensive endpoint management solutions can experience immediate gains in security posture and operational efficiencies.
Increased efficiency
Endpoint management software leverages IT automation to handle repetitive, manual tasks, which enables techs to resolve issues faster while improving the consistency of workflows. Features like intelligent monitoring and alerting can help reduce alerts by up to 80%, while automated script deployment enables faster issue remediation and frees techs from constant hands-on troubleshooting.
Fewer vulnerabilities
Modern endpoint management tools have automated patch management software to help proactively protect against vulnerabilities and mitigate security threats. This forward-looking approach helps teams identify and remediate security gaps before they can be exploited. Not surprisingly, automating patching can also result in more timely updates and reduces the risk of human error.
Simplified compliance
With endpoint management software, time-consuming manual exercises, like policy checks and audit logging, can be automated behind the scenes. By ensuring patches and controls are applied uniformly across devices, organizations can meet regulatory requirements with less overhead and greater consistency.
Reduced downtime
Many BCDR solutions can be seamlessly integrated with endpoint management or RMM software, providing an added layer of visibility into backup status and protection across endpoints. In the case of a security incident, this centralized view of network health can more quickly notify IT of failures, help minimize data loss, and better support business continuity.
Endpoint management best practices
Successful endpoint management requires proven strategies that address technical requirements and human workflows. The most sustainable processes will adapt to changing technologies and threats.
- Utilize remote access: To minimize end user disruption, IT teams should address vulnerabilities and issues with endpoints without requiring the users’ presence whenever possible. Modern endpoint management solutions are equipped with remote access software features which allow IT teams to troubleshoot endpoints while being invisible to the user.
- Automate patch management: Patch management is an essential component of endpoint management, but it can be difficult to manage in a sprawling IT environment—especially if BYOD policies are in place. Automated patching schedules and customizable patch policies support staged rollouts and testing allow teams to close vulnerabilities without interrupting business operations.
- Maintain an accurate asset inventory: You can’t protect what you don’t track, which is why asset inventories are the backbone of endpoint management. Automated IT asset discovery tools can help detect new devices and flag configuration drift that might signal security issues without human intervention.
Finding the best endpoint management software
Selecting the right endpoint management software requires carefully evaluating your existing infrastructure needs and long-term vision. The strongest solutions combine broad functionality with seamless integration into your existing infrastructure, which is why many IT teams leverage RMM for endpoint management and scale.
ConnectWise RMM is designed to support increased efficiency and scalability as organizational needs evolve, enabling IT to:
- Detect assets and devices across your clients’ networks as they come online
- Monitor and manage environments from a centralized management pane
- Schedule and deploy patches automatically across hundreds of third-party applications
- Discover, monitor, and analyze networks to deliver optimal performance
- Automate simple, routine tasks to let your team focus on higher-value projects
By bringing endpoint management support under one centralized solution like ConnectWise RMM, IT teams can gain full-stack oversight, automation, and unlimited scale from a single management pane.
Watch a demo today to learn more about how ConnectWise RMM can take endpoint management to a whole new level.
