--- title: Cloud Endpoint Security: A Comprehensive Guide description: According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, small to midsize businesses (SMBs) are at a greater threat when it comes to cyberattacks than large corporations. While larger companies may have more at stake, SMBs typically have fewer resources to prevent and treat online threats, making them an appealing target. But many traditional endpoint security --- # Cloud Endpoint Security: A Comprehensive Guide Last Reviewed: March 16, 2026 7 min read [No comments](https://www.selecthub.com/endpoint-security/cloud-endpoint-security/#respond) [ ![Kim O'Shaughnessy](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/aa3a61ac7e38580003de0d2fb4e71e8281ec6d7b9d0266351a38b2459e313e82?s=96&d=mm&r=g) ](https://www.selecthub.com/author/kim-oshaughnessy/) [Written by Kim O'Shaughnessy](https://www.selecthub.com/author/kim-oshaughnessy/) Content Editor Table of Contents * [What is Cloud Endpoint Security?](#What%5Fis%5FCloud%5FEndpoint%5FSecurity) * [Benefits](#Benefits) * [1\. Fewer In-House Resources Required](#1%5FFewer%5FIn-House%5FResources%5FRequired) * [2\. Fewer Resources and Commitments Upfront](#2%5FFewer%5FResources%5Fand%5FCommitments%5FUpfront) * [3\. Continuous Monitoring](#3%5FContinuous%5FMonitoring) * [4\. Flexible Options](#4%5FFlexible%5FOptions) * [5\. Automatic Backups](#5%5FAutomatic%5FBackups) * [6\. More Effective Patch Management](#6%5FMore%5FEffective%5FPatch%5FManagement) * [7\. Monitor Your Endpoints From Anywhere](#7%5FMonitor%5FYour%5FEndpoints%5FFrom%5FAnywhere) * [Next Steps](#Next%5FSteps) According to the [U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission](https://www.sec.gov/news/statement/cybersecurity-challenges-for-small-midsize-businesses.html), small to midsize businesses (SMBs) are at a greater threat when it comes to cyberattacks than large corporations. While larger companies may have more at stake, SMBs typically have fewer resources to prevent and treat online threats, making them an appealing target. But many traditional [endpoint security software](https://www.selecthub.com/endpoint-security-software/) systems are too large, complex and expensive for SMBs to make use of. Cloud endpoint security, however, offers the right price and ease of use for many SMBs, making it an excellent alternative to traditional systems. [Compare Top Endpoint Security Software Leaders](https://pmo.selecthub.com/request-custom-scorecard/?category=Endpoint%20Security%20Software) ## What is Cloud Endpoint Security? Cloud-based [endpoint security](https://www.selecthub.com/category/endpoint-security/), like traditional systems, is meant to protect your endpoint devices and provide network security. These devices include laptops, desktops, servers, mobile devices and any other technology that connects to the internet. Cloud-based endpoint protection is hosted by the vendor with businesses accessing it through the internet, rather than their own in-house servers. This method of deployment comes with a series of benefits which small to medium businesses may find particularly useful. ![Webroot Endpoint Security]() Cloud endpoint protection is often simpler to use than traditional systems, with appealing UIs. ## Benefits The following is a list of benefits from cloud-based endpoint security: ### 1\. Fewer In-House Resources Required This first benefit is true of all cloud-based software when compared to their on-premise counterparts. Typically, with on-premise solutions, your business is entirely responsible for hosting and maintaining your software. This means you need a dedicated server (or several) to host the software and monitor your endpoints. Along with the actual cost of the server, you have to also consider the costs of running and maintaining it. You need to pay for a secure space, electricity for both the server and the costs of cooling along with the staff to maintain it. If your staff is already skilled enough to maintain and configure your software solution, then this isn’t much of an additional cost. However, if you have little to no IT team, you’ll most definitely need to hire more staff to perform this task. Cloud endpoint protection products are instead hosted on the vendor’s servers. This eliminates the need for hiring extra staff, procuring space and paying a higher electricity bill. ### 2\. Fewer Resources and Commitments Upfront Most on-premise systems require you to pay the full amount of the software upfront. This can be as high as $50,000 USD for some software systems. For large corporations, this investment can easily be recouped and may not be such an issue. But for small and medium-sized businesses, making such a large investment in any one product is extremely risky. Cloud-based solutions are typically offered for a small monthly fee, which makes these systems much more accessible to smaller businesses. Cloud systems are also incredibly easy to set up and can be installed and running within minutes. This vastly reduces the downtime that traditional endpoint security systems necessitate during installation. In addition, cloud endpoint security contracts are usually around one to three years. This makes them a great choice for a business unsure if an solution is the right choice. After a year, you could then reassess if the vendor you’ve chosen fulfills your [requirements](https://www.selecthub.com/endpoint-security/endpoint-security-software-requirements/). [Get our Endpoint Security Software Requirements Template](https://pmo.selecthub.com/endpoint-security-requirements-onsite/) ### 3\. Continuous Monitoring With true cloud endpoint protection, a vendor can monitor its customers’ networks and analyze the cyberthreat data. With this information, your vendor has a much better understanding of the same threat targeting multiple networks. They can then use this data to build their database and improve their detection heuristics, which aid in catching zero-day threats. This helps build a stronger product for every customer. However, we understand that not every company sees continuous monitoring of data as a benefit. But even without this feature, companies can still benefit from some features the cloud provides. ### 4\. Flexible Options The discourse surrounding cloud vs traditional products often makes it seem as if they are two mutually exclusive options. But there are actually many options in between. Many vendors today offer specialized solutions that utilize the cloud to provide maximum security to your business without requiring _any_ data transmission out of your network. These products allow businesses to receive up-to-the-minute information from the vendor’s database on new malware and other online threats. Without the cloud, traditional endpoint security software can take up to four hours to detect and prevent new malware. But with access to your vendor’s database, your system can block malware in under a minute. This way, you’re able to reap all the benefits of cloud based endpoint protection without risking any data loss. ### 5\. Automatic Backups Just like with cloud-based endpoint protection, traditional solutions can keep audits of exactly which users and devices have accessed privileged levels of data. But with a traditional system, the safety of these records depends on how often you back up your data. With [140,000 hard drives failing each year](https://smallbiztrends.com/2017/04/not-prepared-for-data-loss.html), it’s important to explore different ways in which you can back up your security logs. Cloud endpoint security stores your logs on their servers, so even if your hardware malfunctions your data is safe. Moreover, if an internal threat accesses an unauthorized level of data, traditional systems make it much easier for the attacker to tamper with log history. The attacker may attempt to destroy physical hardware or, on some systems, even rewrite the logs to misdirect an investigation. ### 6\. More Effective Patch Management Patch management functionality ensures that all the software on your endpoint devices is up-to-date. Patches are created when a developer discovers a weakness within their product to remedy the vulnerability. Patch management is done best when executed quickly, so little time passes while your system is susceptible to attacks. ![Kaspersky Patch Management Endpoint]() While cloud systems can find necessary patches quickly, you can also schedule when they will be implemented to reduce downtime. With access to the cloud, your system can see which patches are available much quicker than with a traditional system. Many vendors can also use the cloud to deploy these patches either on a schedule or automatically. The cloud also enables patches to be executed on devices outside of the company network. This is a great feature to have if your employees regularly work outside of the office for multiple days at a time. ### 7\. Monitor Your Endpoints From Anywhere Cloud endpoint protection allows your system administrator to monitor company devices from anywhere. This allows businesses to maximize their IT staff if they have several offices. Instead of hiring personnel in each location, you can manage all your IT staff in one office. With cloud-based endpoint protection, your system administrator can configure settings, install patches, approve devices, audit users and more from anywhere there’s internet access. [Compare Top Endpoint Security Software Leaders](https://pmo.selecthub.com/request-custom-scorecard/?category=Endpoint%20Security%20Software) ## Next Steps Now that you’re familiar with the benefits of cloud-based endpoint security, it’s time to start the lofty process of selecting a solution to invest in. The selection process for any type of software can be difficult, but if you start with careful and thorough research, you’re far more likely to have a successful implementation. For more resources, check out our [Endpoint Security Software Buyer’s Guide](https://www.selecthub.com/endpoint-security-software/#buyers-guide). It contains all the information you need to get started, including a descriptive list of features, implementation goals, benefits, questions to ask vendors and advice on comparing vendors. With enough time and thoughtful consideration, you’ll be able to select a cloud endpoint security solution perfect for your business. Cloud-based solutions can provide your business with the security you need without worrying about additional IT staff, long contracts, lengthy implementations and all the other unavoidable baggage associated with traditional systems. Will your company make the switch to cloud endpoint protection? Let us know by leaving a comment below! ### Trending Topics #### [Endpoint Security](https://www.selecthub.com/category/endpoint-security/) [Top 13 Cyber Security Trends For 2026](https://www.selecthub.com/endpoint-security/cyber-security-trends/) [Cyberattacks are always in the news — until it’s your data, your business or your… ](https://www.selecthub.com/endpoint-security/cyber-security-trends/) [ ![Tamoghna Das](https://www.selecthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Tamoghna-Headshot-96x96.jpg) Tamoghna Das ](https://www.selecthub.com/author/tamoghna-das/) Jul 21, 2026 #### [Endpoint Security](https://www.selecthub.com/category/endpoint-security/) [Endpoint Detection And Response (EDR): A Comprehensive Guide](https://www.selecthub.com/endpoint-security/endpoint-detection-and-response/) [It’s no secret that cyberattack sophistication is evolving as technologies advance, posing a critical challenge… ](https://www.selecthub.com/endpoint-security/endpoint-detection-and-response/) [ ![Tamoghna Das](https://www.selecthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Tamoghna-Headshot-96x96.jpg) Tamoghna Das ](https://www.selecthub.com/author/tamoghna-das/) Jun 15, 2026 #### [Endpoint Security](https://www.selecthub.com/category/endpoint-security/) [What Is Unified Endpoint Management (UEM)? 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Contributions from Kim O'Shaughnessy. ## About the Contributors The following team members helped research, create, and review this content. [ ](https://www.selecthub.com/author/kim-oshaughnessy/) Written by [Kim O'Shaughnessy](https://www.selecthub.com/author/kim-oshaughnessy/) Content Editor Kim is a digital content editor, having edited and managed content for over 40 different software categories. She discovered her zeal for writing while earning her BA in Communications at the University of Michigan. Kim enjoys working on any project that offers a creative outlet, and you can often find her blogging about video games in her spare time. If someone manages to pry her away from the game controller, she also enjoys spending time with family and friends. [See Full Bio](https://www.selecthub.com/author/kim-oshaughnessy/) Tamoghna DasThe Top 9 Endpoint Security Features & Requirements * ‹ * › ### Conversation ![Avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/281d3616cf761f3582c0d76c23517846?s=32&d=mm&r=g) Write a response [Cancel reply](https://www.selecthub.com/endpoint-security/cloud-endpoint-security/#respond) Your message Your name \* Your email \* Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Compare **Tier 1:** Fully/moderately supported out-of-the-box allowing for quick and easy deployment. Fully or moderately supported out-of-the-box with industry-leading capabilities and is immediately available after installation without needing any add-ons, integrations, or custom development. **Tier 2:** Supported with workarounds or add-ons that may require additional costs. Not directly available in the software, but can be accomplished using other built-in features, workarounds, or add-ons/products from the vendor with or without any additional cost. **Tier 3:** Requires partner integrations or custom development that is often at an additional cost. Requires additional integrations, plugins, marketplace applications from a third-party vendor, or custom development using the APIs, libraries, extensions, and development framework supported by the software, with or without any additional cost. 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