Description

Case Study #1: Technology & Product Review for Endpoint Protection Solutions

Case Scenario:

Red Clay Renovations (the “client”) has requested that your company research and recommend

an Endpoint Protection Platform which will provide host-based protection for the laptop PC’s used by its

construction managers and architects. These employees design and manage construction projects using

a Web based project management system. The laptops are also used to access web-based corporate

email servers and additional web-based applications used for internal business operations. Their laptops

are running the Windows 8/8.1 operating system and cannot be upgraded to Windows 10 due to

compatibility problems in a business critical, proprietary software package. The Windows 8/8.1 laptops

currently use Microsoft Windows Defender and Microsoft Windows Firewall to provide host-based

protection against malware, spyware, and intrusions.

The client’s IT manager wants an Endpoint Protection product that is easy to use, is deployable

on individual laptops as host-based protection, and automatically updates itself (patches and virus

definition files). The “automatic” updates could be a problem since the laptops are rarely connected to

the company’s networks. Instead, the employees use an intermittent cellular connection to access the

Internet while visiting customers and construction sites.

Research:

1. Review the Week 1 readings.

2. Choose one of the Endpoint Protection Platform products from the Gartner Magic Quadrant

analysis (link provided in the weekly readings). Then, research your chosen product using the

vendor’s website and product information brochures. (Vendors for highly rated products will

provide a copy of Gartner’s most recent Magic Quadrant report on their websites but,

registration is required.)

3. Find three or more additional sources which provide reviews for (a) your chosen product or (b)

information about Endpoint Protection Platforms.

Write:

Write a 3 page summary of your research (“briefing paper”). At a minimum, your summary must

include the following:

1. An introduction or overview for the security technology category (Endpoint Protection

Platforms)

2. A review of the features, capabilities, and deficiencies for your selected vendor and product

3. Discussion of how the selected product could be used by your client to support its

cybersecurity objectives by reducing