📘CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701)
Overview of Cisco Secure Endpoint
Cisco Secure Endpoint (formerly called Cisco AMP for Endpoints) is Cisco’s endpoint antimalware and threat detection solution.
It protects endpoints such as:
- Windows computers
- macOS systems
- Linux servers
- Mobile devices (with limited features)
Its main purpose is to detect, prevent, analyze, and respond to malware and advanced threats on endpoint devices.
Cisco Secure Endpoint is cloud-managed, meaning:
- Policies are created in the Secure Endpoint cloud console
- Endpoint agents communicate with the cloud for updates, detection, and reporting
Key Goals of Cisco Secure Endpoint
Cisco Secure Endpoint is designed to:
- Prevent known malware
- Detect unknown and advanced threats
- Monitor endpoint activity continuously
- Record file and process behavior
- Allow investigation and response after an attack
This makes it suitable for both prevention and detection, not just basic antivirus protection.
Main Components of Cisco Secure Endpoint
1. Secure Endpoint Cloud Console
This is the central management interface where administrators:
- Create and manage security policies
- Monitor endpoint status
- View alerts and detections
- Investigate security incidents
- Manage connectors (agents)
All configuration is done from this console.
2. Secure Endpoint Connector (Agent)
The connector is a lightweight software installed on endpoints.
Functions of the connector:
- Monitors files and processes
- Communicates with Cisco cloud
- Enforces security policies
- Reports events and detections
Each endpoint must have the connector installed to be protected.
3. File Reputation and Threat Intelligence
Cisco Secure Endpoint uses Cisco Talos threat intelligence to determine:
- Whether a file is malicious
- Whether a file is safe
- Whether a file is unknown
This reputation check happens in real time when files are accessed or executed.
4. Behavioral Protection
If a file is unknown, Secure Endpoint:
- Monitors how it behaves
- Looks for malicious actions
- Detects suspicious activity even without a known signature
This helps stop zero-day attacks and advanced malware.
Deployment of Cisco Secure Endpoint
Step 1: Access the Secure Endpoint Console
- Log in to the Cisco Secure Endpoint cloud portal
- This is where all configuration and monitoring happens
Step 2: Create Endpoint Groups
Endpoints can be grouped based on:
- Operating system
- User role
- Department
- Security requirements
Each group can have different security policies.
Step 3: Download and Install the Connector
- Download the connector package for the required OS
- Install it on endpoints manually or using centralized tools
- Once installed, the endpoint registers with the cloud console
Step 4: Assign Policies to Groups
Each endpoint group is assigned a policy that defines how protection works.
Secure Endpoint Antimalware Protection Features
1. Malware Detection Engines
Cisco Secure Endpoint uses multiple detection engines:
- Signature-based detection
Detects known malware using threat intelligence - Behavior-based detection
Detects suspicious actions instead of relying only on signatures - Machine learning detection
Identifies threats based on file characteristics and behavior patterns
2. File Reputation Checking
When a file appears on an endpoint:
- The file hash is checked against Cisco’s global database
- The file is classified as:
- Malicious
- Clean
- Unknown
Based on policy, the file may be:
- Blocked
- Quarantined
- Allowed
- Monitored
3. Continuous Analysis and Retrospective Security
Secure Endpoint continuously monitors files even after they are allowed.
If a file that was previously unknown is later identified as malicious:
- Secure Endpoint generates an alert
- Administrators are notified
- The file can be automatically blocked or removed
This is called retrospective detection.
4. Quarantine and File Control
When malware is detected:
- The file is quarantined
- It cannot execute or spread
- Administrators can:
- Restore the file
- Permanently delete it
- Keep it isolated
Policy Configuration in Cisco Secure Endpoint
Policies define how endpoints are protected.
Common Policy Settings Include:
1. Malware Protection
- Enable real-time scanning
- Enable behavioral monitoring
- Define actions for malicious files
2. Exploit Prevention
- Prevent abuse of system processes
- Block suspicious memory activities
- Protect applications from exploitation
3. File Scanning Settings
- Scan files on execution
- Scan files on write
- Scan compressed files
4. Exclusions
- Exclude specific files or folders
- Exclude trusted applications
- Used to reduce false positives
Detection and Alerting
Alerts in Secure Endpoint
When a threat is detected:
- An alert is generated
- The alert includes:
- Endpoint name
- User information
- File details
- Threat severity
- Detection method
Alerts are categorized by severity:
- Low
- Medium
- High
- Critical
Event Timeline and Device Trajectory
Secure Endpoint records all activity related to a threat:
- File execution
- Process creation
- Network connections
- Registry changes
This timeline helps administrators understand:
- How the threat entered
- What actions it performed
- What systems were affected
Incident Response Capabilities
Cisco Secure Endpoint allows administrators to respond quickly:
Common Response Actions:
- Isolate the endpoint from the network
- Quarantine malicious files
- Block file hashes globally
- Trigger scans
- Investigate related endpoints
These actions can be done directly from the cloud console.
Integration with Other Cisco Security Tools
Cisco Secure Endpoint integrates with:
- Cisco Secure Firewall
- Cisco Secure Email
- Cisco Secure Web Appliance
- Cisco SecureX
Benefits of integration:
- Better visibility
- Faster detection
- Automated response across the environment
Reporting and Monitoring
Dashboards
The Secure Endpoint console provides dashboards showing:
- Number of protected endpoints
- Active threats
- Malware trends
- Endpoint health status
Reports
Administrators can generate reports for:
- Malware detections
- Policy compliance
- Endpoint activity
- Security incidents
Reports help with:
- Security auditing
- Compliance
- Management review
Best Practices (Exam Relevant)
For the 350-701 exam, remember these points:
- Cisco Secure Endpoint uses cloud-based management
- Endpoint protection requires installing a connector
- Policies control detection, prevention, and response
- It supports signature-based and behavior-based detection
- Retrospective security is a key feature
- Alerts and event timelines help with investigation
- It integrates with other Cisco security products
Summary
Cisco Secure Endpoint provides:
- Advanced endpoint antimalware protection
- Continuous monitoring and analysis
- Centralized cloud-based management
- Strong detection and response capabilities
- Visibility into endpoint threats and activity
It goes beyond traditional antivirus by focusing on prevention, detection, investigation, and response, making it a critical part of modern endpoint security for the CCNP Security (350-701) exam.
