What does the term "endpoint security" refer to?

The term "endpoint security" refers specifically to security measures designed to protect end-user devices such as laptops, desktops, and mobile devices. This concept emerged as a response to the increasing risks posed by cyber threats targeting individual devices within a network. With the proliferation of devices accessing corporate networks, safeguarding these endpoints is crucial since they often serve as entry points for cyber attacks.

Endpoint security solutions typically include antivirus programs, anti-malware tools, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and more. These security measures ensure that each connected device is secure, monitored, and managed to reduce vulnerability to threats like viruses, ransomware, and other forms of malware.

In contrast, the other options address different areas of security that do not align with the specific focus of endpoint security. For example, security measures for network servers focus on safeguarding the infrastructure rather than the individual user devices. Security protocols used in data transmission pertain to ensuring the safety and integrity of data as it travels across networks, and measures for cloud-based services are aimed at protecting data and applications hosted in the cloud environment. Hence, these areas are distinct from the concept of endpoint security.