What is User Security

User security

What is user security?

User security protects an organization’s users and endpoints from digital threats like malware, unauthorized access, and data breaches.

What is the importance of user security?

User security is important because it helps organizations, and their users, protect employee, customer, and corporate data from threats, financial loss, and identity theft. Strong end-user security hygiene can also support regulation compliance, prevent reputational damage, and preserve customer trust.

Illustration of how a user’s data and applications are securely protected from phishing, viruses, and other cyberattacks

User security solutions

Free trial

Cisco Secure Endpoint 30-day trial

Stay ahead of the next threat with simplified, automated endpoint management.

Demo

Explore Secure Endpoint demos

Learn how you can protect your organization from breaches and advanced threats with the Secure Endpoint live demo, as well as walk-through videos.

Video

Cisco Secure Endpoint overview

Cisco Secure Endpoint can help solve your operational challenges and improve your security.

What are examples of user security?

Examples of user security technology and measures include:

  • Strong passwords and MFA
  • Regular software updates and patches
  • Firewalls and anti-malware software
  • Secure browsing practices
  • Employee cybersecurity training
  • Access controls and user permissions
  • Incident response and monitoring systems

How do you provide security to users?

Organizations can provide user security by deploying a secure user authentication solution, endpoint threat protection, and secure internet connectivity. Training employees on end-user security awareness and cybersecurity hygiene also helps protect users, devices, and online activity.

Learn about trusted-access tools

What is end user security?

End-user security focuses on protecting and equipping users who use organizational devices, software, and data. To safeguard user and corporate data, security training and solutions are deployed. User security is a broader term that includes IT staff, network admins, and developers.

What is the role of end users in cybersecurity?

An end-user's role in cybersecurity is to practice healthy digital hygiene to help prevent cyberattacks by:

  • Using strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA)
  • Avoiding suspicious emails and links
  • Keeping software up to date
  • Reporting security incidents
  • Adhering to corporate security policies

Watch video on best practices (11:02)

What is end-user security awareness?

End-user security awareness refers to educating users about online threats and providing them with the best practices to identify and avoid potential risk. By boosting user security awareness and implementing effective security hygiene, users can help lower the organizational risk of cyberattacks.

What are common types of user security?

Endpoint security

Endpoint security solutions protect individual devices, such as computers, smartphones, or tablets, from cybersecurity threats. These solutions defend against malware, unauthorized access, and data theft through threat hunting, incident management, and device visibility features.

Secure internet gateway (SIG)

A secure internet gateway (SIG) is a cloud-based security service that provides users with secure access to the internet. A SIG helps protect users from online threats by enforcing security policies, filtering out malicious content, and detecting and blocking malware in real time.

Identity and access management (IAM)

Identity and access management (IAM) is a security framework that enables organizations to control user access to applications and data. IAM solutions that use zero-trust principles support user security by allowing only authorized users access to sensitive information, applications, and systems.

Next-generation firewall (NGFW)

A next-generation firewall (NGFW) is a network security tool that combines traditional firewall capabilities with advanced features like intrusion prevention, threat intelligence, and application control. An NGFW protects users by identifying and blocking malicious traffic, preventing unauthorized access, and providing granular control over network traffic. 

Cloud data security

Cloud data security involves protecting data stored in cloud environments. It includes measures such as encryption, access controls, and monitoring to help ensure user and corporate data privacy, integrity, and availability. Leading cloud-security providers also offer security features and compliance certifications to help protect customer data

Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) enhances user security by requiring multiple forms of verification (such as passwords, biometrics, or tokens) to access an account or system. By adding an extra layer of authentication, MFA reduces the risk of unauthorized access—even if passwords are compromised..

Email Security

Email security solutions protect users from email-based cyberthreats like phishing attacks, spam, and malware. These solutions work by filtering email content, attachments, and URLs to identify and block malicious content. Features like encryption, data loss prevention, and advanced threat protection also work to safeguard sensitive user and corporate data.

Mobile Device Management (MDM)

A mobile device management (MDM) solution enables IT administrators to enforce security policies, configure device settings, and remotely monitor and secure devices. MDM solutions protect user security by helping to ensure that devices are compliant, implementing strong authentication, and enabling remote actions like locking or wiping devices in case of loss or theft.

Malware protection

Advanced malware protection (AMP) is a security software designed to prevent, detect, and remove malware and other threats, such as ransomware, worms, Trojans, and spyware. AMP software protects endpoint devices (like computers, smartphones, or tablets) through device visibility, threat hunting and intelligence, and incident management and response.