Why Endpoint Protection Alone Isn’t Enough for Australian SMEs

You have installed antivirus on your endpoint devices. Your devices seem secure. But then, a staff member clicks on a phishing email. It looked legit. That single click installs ransomware, and within minutes, every file on your server is encrypted. Did you know that 29% of data breaches in Australia happened due to human error from July to December 2024?

To truly protect your business, you need a multi-layered cybersecurity strategy that focuses on more than just devices. This includes advanced threat detection, business continuity planning, and real-time monitoring—especially in today’s threat-heavy Australian environment.

In this guide, we will discuss why endpoint security alone isn’t enough for SMEs and how to increase your business IT security. 

What Is Endpoint Protection?

Endpoint protection, also called endpoint security, is a comprehensive cybersecurity approach to defending endpoint devices from malicious activities and cyber threats. 

In cybersecurity and networking, an endpoint is any physical or virtual device that connects to and communicates with a network. Common examples of endpoints include:

• Traditional computing devices: Desktops, laptops, workstations.
• Mobile devices: Smartphones, tablets.
• Servers: Both physical and virtual servers.
• Internet of Things (IoT) devices: Smart cameras, smart speakers, printers, smart thermostats, industrial sensors, medical devices, etc.
• Point-of-Sale (POS) systems.
• Virtual Machines (VMs).

1. Reasons Why Endpoint Protection for Australian SMEs Isn’t Enough Alone

In Australia during 2022-23, 43% of small businesses and 60% of mid-sized companies faced cyberattacks. 

Cybercriminals employ different types of cybercrime approaches, including:

• Account compromise
• Business email compromise (BEC)
• Cryptomining
• Hacking
• Phishing
• Identity theft
• Malware
• Malicious insider
• Ransomware
• Scams, etc. 

Endpoint protection platform (EPP) is one of the traditional cybersecurity solutions for SMEs. Anti-malware is the key component of this platform. Traditional antivirus tools are designed primarily to detect and block known threats using static signatures.  

Traditional EPP lacks machine learning, real-time threat intelligence, and sandboxing. 

On the other hand, Next-Generation Antivirus (NGAV) goes further. It uses machine learning, behaviour-based detection, and heuristic scanning to identify unknown and zero-day threats, including:

• Fileless malware
• Memory-based exploits
• Privilege escalation tactics
• Unusual process behaviour
  

While NGAV represents a significant improvement over traditional tools, it also has its limitations, especially when it comes to understanding attack context, managing alerts, or responding in real-time. 

That’s why NGAV alone is still insufficient without EDR, MDR, or broader threat detection and response layers.

Below are the core reasons why endpoint security alone isn’t enough for Australian SMEs. 

1.1. Endpoint Security Doesn’t Detect Advanced or Unknown Threats

Many Australian SMEs assume that endpoint tools can block all malware. But zero-day threats, which exploit previously unknown vulnerabilities, often bypass signature-based detection.

In 2023, more than half (53%) of the major hacking incidents happened because attackers used zero-day vulnerabilities—security holes that no one knew about yet and hadn’t been fixed.

You need Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and malware sandboxing to monitor real-time activity and catch suspicious behaviour even when there’s no known signature.

1.2. It ignores the Bigger Picture (The Attack Chain)

Endpoint tools often treat threats in isolation. But attackers don’t operate in a vacuum—they work through an attack chain.

Example:

• A phishing email compromises credentials
• The attacker escalates privileges
• They move laterally to other systems
• They plant ransomware

Your EPP might catch one piece, but it can’t do attack chain analysis and won’t connect the dots. That’s where SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) and SOC (Security Operations Centre) tools come in. 

They provide visibility across your network and flag complex patterns.

1.3. It Doesn’t Reduce Breach Dwell Time

Once attackers are in, the longer they stay undetected, the more damage they do. This is called breach dwell time.

The average dwell time in Australian organisations was 15 days in 2021, which was a 36% increase from 2020. 

Endpoint tools often don’t notice subtle movements like data exfiltration, unauthorised access, or encrypted traffic used for command-and-control communication.

Real-time detection through Managed Detection and Response (MDR), which monitors your cyber system 24/7 and detects threats in real-time. This can dramatically shorten breach dwell time and reduce the financial impact.

1.4. It Can’t Cover the Whole Attack Surface

With remote work, BYOD (bring your own device), and cloud services, your business now has more entry points than ever.

Endpoint protection for Australian SMEs focuses on individual devices. But what about:

• Staff logging into Google Workspace from home?
• Contractors accessing your CRM from unsecured networks?
• An outdated plugin in your eCommerce site?

You need network perimeter defence, Zero Trust Architecture, and proactive monitoring to manage your whole cyber attack surface, which EPP can’t handle. 

1.5 It Doesn’t Enable Fast, Coordinated Incident Response

When something goes wrong, time is critical. Most SMEs aren’t equipped to act quickly.

Endpoint alerts can be vague or overly technical. Without a plan, you might not even know if it’s a false positive or a real breach.

Partnering with an MSSP (Managed Security Services Provider) like ItTechbox gives you access to experts who can investigate, isolate, and respond fast.

1.6. Endpoint Protection for Australian SMEs Can’t Detect Insider Threats

A current or former staff member of your company, a vendor, or a supplier may log into an admin account. They may compromise the data, or can do it unintentionally through phishing or other social engineering. 

Insider threats are a significant reason for data breaches, which increased by 44% in 2022 globally.

Imagine an attacker enters your network through a staff member’s compromised email password. Then, using lateral movement, they access your payroll system. 

All while staying undetected because your endpoint tools saw nothing wrong.

2. What a Multi-Layered Security Strategy Looks Like

Alongside endpoint protection, it’s certainly proven that a multi-layered protection is a must to protect your business’s cyber system from cybercriminals. 

So, what should modern cybersecurity for Australian SMEs look like?

Here’s a proven framework:

3. The Australian Cyber Security Landscape– SMEs Are at Risk

The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) recommends that all businesses adopt the Essential Eight Maturity Model—a framework with steps like patch management, application whitelisting, and multi-factor authentication.

But here’s the kicker: A 2023 cybersecurity report found only 25% of Australian SMEs meet even maturity level 2.

Why? Because SMEs:

• Lack of internal IT staff
• Don’t have 24/7 monitoring
• Rely too heavily on basic software
• Assume they’re too small to be targeted

The truth is, attackers prefer small businesses. You’re easier to breach and less likely to recover quickly.

4. How SMEs Can Build Real Security

Here’s a quick suggestion on how you can strengthen your defences without overloading your team, regarding the multi-layered protection. 

• Use MDR (Managed Detection and Response) services to monitor 24/7
• Work with an MSSP like ItTechbox to manage your tools
• Deploy Zero Trust Architecture—assume no device or user is trusted
• Train staff on phishing and spear phishing risks
• Set up incident response and credential theft prevention protocols
• Follow the Essential Eight recommendations for maturity-based security

The goal isn’t perfection—it’s visibility, speed, and containment.

5. Business Continuity Planning & Ransomware Mitigation

Suppose an attack has already happened. So, what should you do after an attack? An innovative business continuity plan can help you get rid of emergency situations. 

A solid business continuity plan should include:

• Offline, immutable backups
• Staff awareness of incident roles
• Defined escalation procedures
• Regular testing of restoration processes

Ransomware mitigation strategies like network segmentation and privilege management can stop an infection from spreading.

With the right plan, you’ll recover faster and avoid reputational damage and legal trouble.

FAQs

Final Thought

Endpoint protection for Australian SMEs alone might’ve worked a decade ago, but not today. Australian SMEs face sophisticated threats that bypass basic defences daily. You need multi-layered protection, real-time insights, and a partner who understands your unique risks. 

At ItTechBox, we offer affordable, scalable cybersecurity solutions for SMEs that go beyond antivirus, so you can stay focused on your business, not the threats chasing it. Contact our it support in Brisbane today and let us take care of your SME, going beyond the endpoint protection-only.