The six most common endpoint vulnerabilities

Think your business is too well-protected to be a target? That no hacker would waste time on a handful of laptops or the odd smartphone? That’s exactly what can make organisations a prime candidate.

Endpoints, everything from laptops and desktops to phones and tablets, are where your people do their work. But they’re also where attackers look for gaps, and unfortunately, most endpoint breaches come down to avoidable vulnerabilities.

Here’s a closer look at six of the most common weak spots in endpoint security and why working with a managed service provider (MSP) can help you fix them before they become a problem.

1. Unpatched or outdated software

It’s one of the easiest doors to walk through, and attackers know it. When devices run on outdated operating systems or old versions of software, they often have known flaws. These gaps are frequently weaponised in automated attacks designed to sniff them out.

Sure, software vendors release patches. But someone has to install them, and not every employee is going to hit “Update now”. In fast-moving businesses with limited IT resources, patch management can quickly fall down the priority list.

That’s where MSPs can help. By monitoring devices across your organisation, an MSP can take patching out of your hands, automatically applying critical updates or flagging any devices that slip through the cracks. No more guesswork, no more risky lag time.

2. Weak passwords and credential reuse

Everyone knows not to use the same password across multiple logins, or resort to something that’s easy to remember (and just as easy to guess), but it is still a common practice. Add in the number of logins your team juggles each day, and it’s not hard to see how attackers gain access.

Compromised credentials are one of the leading causes of breaches. Phishing attacks, credential stuffing and brute-force logins all start from this one vulnerability, and they all rely on passwords being poorly managed.

A good MSP can help strengthen your access defences. That might include enforcing multi-factor authentication, implementing password hygiene training, or deploying secure identity tools that remove the need for users to remember dozens of logins. It’s not about policing your users, it’s about making secure access seamless.

3. Limited visibility of devices on the network

“How many devices do we actually have connecting to our systems?”

If you hesitate for even a moment, that’s a red flag.

As businesses grow and employees use a mix of company-issued and personal devices, keeping track of every endpoint becomes harder. Shadow IT, when users install unauthorised apps or connect unknown hardware, adds to the risk.

Without full visibility, it’s impossible to know what should or shouldn’t be connected. That means any infected or rogue device could go undetected.

One of the biggest advantages of working with an MSP or Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) is that they use tools designed to spot and track endpoints across your organisation, whether remote, on-site, mobile - you name it. That visibility is a foundational layer of modern security. If you can’t see it, you can’t protect it.

4. Inconsistent endpoint protection

It’s not enough just to install antivirus software and call it a day. Threats have evolved, and protection has to keep pace. The problem? Not every device gets the same level of protection, especially when some machines are used sporadically or only off-site.

For smaller businesses, this inconsistency often comes from trying to manage everything manually. Setting up defence tools on each individual device, chasing updates, making sure policies are enforced, it’s a tall order for any in-house team.

An MSP can bring your endpoint security into line across the board. Centralised provisioning means every device gets protection as soon as it enters the network. Policy enforcement keeps it consistent over time, and cloud-based tools fight threats in real time, whether your team is at the office, in transit or working from the kitchen table.

5. Human behaviour and risky habits

Here’s the uncomfortable truth, the most advanced security system in the world can still be undone by a bad click.

People remain one of the biggest risk factors in endpoint breaches. Whether it’s plugging in a USB stick, clicking on a dodgy link, or downloading software from a suspicious source, these errors open the door to malware, ransomware and data theft.

But it’s not enough to tell staff to “be more careful”. Good security habits come from useful training and ongoing reinforcement, something that many businesses struggle to provide on their own.

Partnering with an MSP means these user risks can finally be addressed head-on. From basic cybersecurity awareness to phishing simulations and behaviour-driven prompts, good providers offer training that your employees will actually remember and apply when it matters most.

6. Lost or stolen devices

Losing a laptop doesn’t just mean replacing hardware. If that device contains sensitive files, saved passwords or auto-login sessions, it can become a security incident waiting to happen, especially if login protections are weak or non-existent.

It’s easy to assume this won’t happen to your team. But when it does, the recovery time, cost and potential data liability can be massive, particularly if customer or financial data is involved.

This is another area where MSPs shine. With mobile device management (MDM) tools, they can enforce encryption policies, track devices, and remotely wipe data if something goes missing. That turns a disaster into a temporary inconvenience, and gives your team peace of mind whether they’re in a warehouse, café or hotel lobby.

Make endpoint security part of the bigger picture

Let’s be honest, endpoint protection isn’t always top-of-mind for busy businesses. Firewalls, backups and cloud tools might feel more pressing. But the reality is, weak endpoints often become the entry point for larger, more damaging attacks.

Treating endpoint security as an afterthought leaves room for the sorts of issues we’ve just covered, from phishing, to patching, to plain old mistakes. Each small risk can quickly become a gateway for data breaches, ransomware, downtime and unwanted costs.

But you don’t have to solve this all on your own. That’s where a managed IT partner becomes a real asset.

By partnering with an MSP, you gain access to tools, insights, and experience that would otherwise take years to build in-house. They monitor your environment, standardise your protection, and take proactive steps to stay ahead of emerging threats, so that you don’t have to.

Our services provide peace of mind, allowing you to focus on your core objectives while we handle your cybersecurity needs. Contact us today to discuss how we can support your business in staying secure.