Endpoint Security Statistics: Key Trends and Threats
In 2025, endpoint security is more critical than ever, with cyber threats rapidly evolving and targeting organizations of all sizes.
As remote work and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies expand, organizations must implement robust security measures to protect sensitive data and prevent costly breaches.
In this article we will prodive some important and interesting insights into endpoint security, viewed through the lens of facts and statistics.
Key statistics on endpoint security
- 68% of organizations have experienced at least one successful endpoint attack that compromised data or IT infrastructure [1].
- 81% of businesses faced an attack involving malware [2].
- 55% of professionals consider smartphones to be among their most vulnerable endpoints [3].
- 47% of organizations monitor their networks 24/7 [4].
- The global cost of cybercrime is expected to exceed $10.5 trillion annually by 2025 [5].
- 53% of organizations were hit by a successful ransomware attack in 2021, showing a 148% increase over 2020 [1].
- Paying a ransom can double the overall cost of a ransomware incident [1].
- 40% of organizations delay patch rollouts to avoid potential conflicts [2].
- 67% of IT professionals believe BYOD decreased their organization’s security posture [5].
- 69% of CISOs expected at least one ransomware attack in 2022 [2].
- 59% of ransomware attacks compromise data in the public cloud [3].
- Only 50% of organizations encrypt sensitive data on devices [3].
- Organizations with large numbers of remote workers are at the highest risk for endpoint security threats [2].
- The endpoint security market is projected to grow from USD 13.37 billion in 2023 to USD 31.2 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 12.1% [6].
- Around 70% of companies plan to increase spending on endpoint security solutions over the next two years [6].
- 68% of organizations have encountered at least one endpoint attack that compromised data or IT infrastructure [1].
- 81% of businesses were impacted by an attack involving some form of malware [2].
Endpoint detection and response in a nutshell
Endpoint detection and response (often called EDR or detection and response EDR) is a critical aspect of endpoint security solutions. It focuses on advanced threat detection by collecting data from endpoint devices and identifying abnormal behavior through behavioral analysis.
According to multiple industry reports, EDR significantly shortens the time between infection and incident response, boosting an organization’s ability to contain cybersecurity threats quickly [3].
Statistics show that real-time monitoring is essential: about 47% of organizations claim to monitor their networks 24/7 [4]. Such vigilance is at the heart of effective detection and response EDR.
By leveraging security technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence, EDR solutions help anticipate evolving threats in modern computing environments.
Financial impact of data breaches
The average data breach costs companies millions in direct damage, legal fees, remediation, and lost opportunities [5].
- The average financial impact of a data breach is estimated at $4.88 million. [8]
- In 2023, the most substantial share of breach-related costs stemmed from detection and escalation, averaging $1.58 million. [8]
- As of 2024, the United States holds the highest global average data breach cost at $9.36 million, with the Middle East trailing at $8.75 million. [8]
- A large-scale breach affecting 50 to 60 million records in 2024 is projected to cost $375 million—an increase of $43 million compared to 2023.
- Organizations facing major noncompliance challenges encounter an average breach expense of $5.05 million, exceeding the standard figure by 12.6%.
As organizations worldwide see an increase in data breach incidents, it’s notable that many reported that endpoint security threats typically lead to compromised data. When criminals steal sensitive data, they can extort a ransom, sell it on underground markets, or leverage it to breach other systems.
Paying a ransom doesn’t necessarily guarantee you’ll regain access to your data. Even if a decryption key is provided by attackers, it can double the total cost of dealing with the incident [1].
This highlights the pressing need for endpoint security measures, especially when you consider that 69% of CISOs expected to face at least one ransomware attack in 2022 [2].
You can also check out our article that compiles data breach statistics and examines the financial impact, trends and costs associated with similar indicents.
Prevalence of malware attacks
Malware remains one of the most common security threats. It’s no surprise that 81% of businesses experienced at least one malware attack in recent years [3].
A large portion of these attacks exploit endpoint devices, from office workstations to remote devices used by employees at home.
The shift to remote work has widened the attack surface, requiring endpoint security administrators to be more vigilant than ever.
Traditional antivirus software can no longer fully handle the surge of malicious attacks or safeguard massive sets of digital devices on its own.
Organizations, therefore, turn to security solutions that combine next-generation endpoint detection with real-time threat detection.
Ransomware: A growing threat
Ransomware attacks are considered one of the most proliferated and harmful forms of cyber attacks today [4].
The stats are sobering: 53% of organizations reported being hit by a successful ransomware attack in 2021, representing a 148% year-on-year increase over 2020 [1]. Moreover, 47.8% of companies chose to pay the ransom in Q3 2021, which soared to 59.6% in Q4 [2].
These endpoint security threats are fueled by multiple vectors. Some 59% of ransomware attacks involve data in public cloud environments like Office 365 or Amazon Web Services (AWS) [3].
Meanwhile, the infiltration typically begins when users download a suspicious file or click a malicious link—accounting for 29% of all ransomware cases [4]. By compromising endpoint devices, attackers effectively hold sensitive data hostage.
Ransomware has prompted more organizations to adopt a next generation endpoint approach. This often includes a robust endpoint protection platform, multi factor authentication, and continuous patch management to address vulnerabilities before criminals can exploit them.
Despite this growth in attacks using ransomware, it’s far from the main type of attack experienced by victims.
BYOD and the use of personal devices
The Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trend has gained popularity, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. While it can boost efficiency by allowing employees to work with personal devices they’re already comfortable with, it also introduces new security risks.
In fact, 67% of IT professionals believe the use of BYOD devices decreased their organization’s security posture [5].
Studies show personal devices are often twice as likely to become infected with malware compared to company-issued computing endpoints [1].
- Over 80% of organizations have implemented BYOD policies. [7]
- 47% of organizations have seen increased BYOD adoption due to remote work. [7]
- 30% of IT leaders cite information security as the main barrier to BYOD adoption. [7]
- 90% of security incidents involving lost or stolen devices lead to unauthorized data breaches.
With employees using their own device for corporate tasks, security measures like mobile device management and network segmentation become vital. Otherwise, attackers can more easily gain unauthorized access to organizational network resources.
Although BYOD can increase productivity, it likewise expands the attack surface. Unsecured mobile devices can expose sensitive information or hamper data security if not properly managed.
Remote work and endpoint security
A growing pool of remote workers has multiplied endpoint security challenges. Remote devices operating over personal Wi-Fi networks (or worse, public hotspots) face elevated security threats.
Furthermore, 40% of organizations admit to delaying patch rollouts to avoid potential conflicts, creating windows of vulnerability [2].
Infrastructure security agency guidelines emphasize the need for endpoint monitoring when employees operate outside corporate firewalls.
Because these computing devices frequently connect back to corporate systems, a single compromised laptop or smartphone can lead to significant data loss. According to the Ponemon Institute, 55% of professionals consider smartphones to be among their most vulnerable endpoint devices [3].
In-depth look at the endpoint security landscape
- Many organizations face endpoint security threats ranging from malware to ransomware and insider attacks.
- Remote workers add another dimension of risk, as digital devices outside the corporate firewall can be compromised more easily.
- The endpoint security market growth is driven by increasing demand for security solutions, expected to jump from USD 13.37 billion in 2023 to USD 31.2 billion by 2032 at a 12.1% compound annual rate [6].
- Traditional measures like antivirus software and firewalls must be enhanced by multi factor authentication, intrusion detection systems, and behavioral analysis to tackle the evolving threat landscape.
- Encryption of sensitive data remains underutilized; only 50% of organizations have full encryption policies on endpoints [3].
Organizations that fail to establish a systematic approach—covering patch management, multi factor authentication, BYOD policies, and advanced endpoint detection and response—will likely find themselves vulnerable to increasingly sophisticated attacks.
Future outlook: Endpoint security market projections
The endpoint security market is anticipated to escalate from:
- $17.7 billion in 2024
- $19.2 billion in 2025, reflecting a growth rate of 8.1%
- By 2029, the market is expected to reach approximately $26.4 billion.
This growth is driven by the increasing number of connected IoT devices, which are projected to reach 40 billion by 2030.
North America is predicted to maintain its position as the largest market for endpoint security solutions, while Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region.
As the endpoint security market continues to grow, organizations must stay informed about the latest trends and advancements in next generation endpoint security solutions. By doing so, they can ensure robust endpoint protection and stay ahead of evolving cyber threats.
Recommendations for endpoint security
- Implement Next-Generation Tools: Consider a next generation endpoint approach that merges endpoint protection platform capabilities with real-time analytics.
- Train Employees and Contractors: Regular security awareness training drastically reduces insider threats and ensures everyone understands the dangers of unauthorized devices.
- Strengthen BYOD Policies: If employees work on their own device, enforce strict guidelines for network access and periodic checks for security technologies updates.
- Use Layered Security: Combine firewalls, intrusion detection systems, antivirus software, and behavioral analysis for comprehensive coverage.
- Adopt Patch Management Best Practices: Avoid unnecessary delays by testing and rolling out updates quickly to fix vulnerabilities in all operating systems.
- Plan for Incidents: Detailed incident response protocols help you react swiftly to zero-day or known exploits, mitigating data loss.
- Encrypt Everything: Storing sensitive data unencrypted can lead to catastrophic breaches. Focus on encryption across endpoints, servers, and in-transit data.
- Monitor and Evaluate: Continuously assess the endpoint security posture of your digital devices to spot evolving threats.
- Leverage UEM: Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) helps organizations maintain consistent policies across various devices, preventing gaps that attackers can exploit.
Conclusion
The journey through endpoint security best practices, real-world stats, and recommended security measures highlights a crucial reality: the need for endpoint security is paramount in today’s hyper-connected world.
Whether dealing with mobile devices, remote endpoints, or on-site servers, the stakes are high. Insider threats, ransomware, and advanced endpoint security threats all demand well-rounded defenses, from patch management to multi factor authentication.
Every enterprise should tailor its approach to its unique risk profile, but a universal truth remains: investing in endpoint security strategies protects your digital assets and ensures business continuity.
Sources
- Expert Insights: 50 Endpoint Security Stats You Should Know
- Statista: Endpoint Security Topics
- Statista: Endpoint Security Worldwide Outlook
- Community Banking Connections: Endpoint Security on the Frontline of Cyber Risk
- Puredome: Future of Endpoint Security
- Scoop: Endpoint Security Statistics
- JumpCloud: 70+ Critical BYOD Statistics to Know in 2024
- IBM: Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024