Top 5 Security Risks Your Business Faces Without a UEM Solution in 2025

The evolution of technology has transformed how businesses communicate, enabling seamless integration and control across people, devices and systems like never before. Managing security for a growing number of endpoints—laptops, mobile devices, desktops, and IoT gadgets—is becoming increasingly complex. Without a Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) software, organizations risk exposing themselves to significant security threats that could cost millions in damages, downtime, and reputational harm.The impact can be catastrophic—just as Maersk experienced in 2017, when the NotPetya ransomware attack shut down its global operations, leading to $300 million in losses and weeks of disruption.¹

In 2025, businesses will face a landscape rife with dynamic and aggressive cyber threats like ransomware attacks, phishing schemes that steal sensitive credentials, and zero-day exploits that take advantage of undiscovered software vulnerabilities. This post uncovers the most pressing security risks organizations face without a UEM solution and explores how an endpoint security solution can help protect, manage, and secure devices, ensuring business continuity and compliance in an evolving threat landscape.

Understanding the Growing Importance of Endpoint Security

Endpoints are the gateways to your organization's critical information. From sensitive customer data to confidential company strategies, these devices hold the keys to your digital operations. With an average enterprise managing a whopping 135,000 endpoints², every single device represents a potential entry point for hackers.

To put this into perspective:

• The global average cost of a data breach reached $4.45M in 2023³, with many businesses paying significantly more depending on their size. 

• Research shows that nearly 70% of businesses admit to experiencing a data breach involving an endpoint.⁴ 

• In 2025, the total cost of cybercrime is expected to reach $10.5 trillion per year.⁵

These numbers make one thing clear—endpoint security is no longer optional. With devices multiplying and threats evolving, businesses need a centralized solution. That’s where a UEM software would come in. 

The Top Five Security Risks Your Business Faces Without a UEM Solution 

Organizations lacking a Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solution are at heightened risk of data breaches. For instance, in 2023, HealthEC LLC, a healthcare technology firm, suffered a breach affecting nearly 4.5 million patient records.⁶ The breach was attributed to unauthorized access to sensitive medical information, underscoring the need for robust endpoint management controls, such as automated security patches and data encryption policies, which UEM solutions provide. 

Passwords remain a critical vulnerability in security systems. According to IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report, breaches involving stolen or compromised credentials took an average of 292 days to identify and contain,⁷ making them the costliest and most time-consuming incidents. A recent study found that 2.7 million Fortune 500 employee credentials were circulating on the dark web⁸, exposing companies to risks like credential stuffing, account takeovers, and spearphishing attacks—all of which can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate systems. 

Malicious software attacks, particularly ransomware, continue to pose significant threats. In 2023, there were 6.06 billion malware attacks globally,⁹ with ransomware being a major contributor. The manufacturing sector was notably affected, experiencing a substantial increase in ransomware attacks targeting unmanaged Internet of Things (IoT) devices. In one instance, a mid-sized manufacturer faced a two-week production shutdown after ransomware infected their system through an unpatched industrial control system, resulting in $3.8 million in losses.¹⁰  Proper UEM controls could have mitigated this risk by enforcing patch management, securing unmanaged IoT devices, and using endpoint detection to contain threats early.  

The rise of remote work and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies has led to the proliferation of unmanaged devices within organizations, commonly referred to as shadow IT. Recent studies show that 40% of all technology spending in organizations occurs outside of IT’s visibility.¹¹ For instance, a global consulting firm discovered that employees were using over 1,200 unauthorized cloud services across personal devices, creating numerous security blind spots. An audit revealed that 22% of these services had experienced security incidents that went undetected. UEM can mitigate the risk of shadow IT by providing visibility and control over all devices and applications, ensuring compliance with security policies and preventing unauthorized access. 

Without a UEM solution, organizations lack comprehensive visibility and control over their endpoints, hindering consistent monitoring and enforcement of security policies. A 2024 survey of IT professionals revealed that organizations without UEM solutions took an average of 280 hours to detect and respond to security incidents, compared to just 48 hours for those with UEM implementations.¹² One telecommunications company found that 34% of their endpoints were operating on outdated security patches before implementing a UEM solution. A delayed response to a cybersecurity incident can significantly increase the damage caused, as attackers have more time to infiltrate systems, exfiltrate data, or spread malware. 

How UEM Can Help Mitigate These Risks

A UEM solution offers a centralized and comprehensive approach to endpoint management, providing organizations with the tools they need to safeguard their endpoints against cyber threats. Here are some ways in which UEM can help mitigate the top five security risks mentioned above: 

• Data protection features - With UEM, businesses can implement data encryption, remote wiping, and other security measures to prevent data breaches and protect sensitive information. 

• Multi-factor authentication - By implementing multi-factor authentication through UEM, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of compromised credentials and unauthorized access. 

• Constant monitoring for malware - Through continuous monitoring of endpoints, UEM can detect and respond to malware attacks in real-time, minimizing the damage caused by these threats. 

• Unified device management - With UEM, organizations have visibility and control over all their endpoints, including shadow IT devices. This ensures that all devices are managed under consistent security policies and compliance requirements. 

 As 2025 approaches, businesses must prioritize endpoint security and take proactive steps to mitigate risks. A UEM solution provides comprehensive endpoint management, reducing the chances of data breaches, malware attacks, and shadow IT. By implementing UEM now, organizations can enhance security, ensure compliance, and safeguard operations against evolving cyber threats. Don’t wait until it’s too late—investing in UEM today helps protect your business tomorrow. 

Unlocking Value with UEM Software Beyond Risk Management 

Beyond just managing risks, UEM enhances overall operational efficiency by streamlining device management, improving compliance, and boosting productivity. It provides organizations with centralized control over endpoints, enabling seamless software deployment, real-time monitoring, and proactive maintenance. This leads to reduced IT overhead, faster issue resolution, and improved employee experience, ultimately driving business growth and innovation. 

Take Action Today: Protect Your Enterprise with Matrix42 UEM 
Don't wait for a security breach to highlight the vulnerabilities in your endpoint management strategy. Matrix42 UEM offers a comprehensive solution that addresses all five critical security risks while providing: 

• Real-time threat detection and response 

• Automated patch management across all endpoints 

• Centralized policy enforcement and compliance monitoring 

• Advanced authentication and access controls 

• Complete visibility across your entire device ecosystem  

Today’s volatile threat landscape puts your business at risk—take control with Matrix42 UEM. Sign up for a demo and receive your free cybersecurity risk assessment. 

Contact us today!

UEM Security Glossary: Key Terms You Should Know 

• Endpoints – Devices like laptops, smartphones, and IoT gadgets that connect to a network. 

• Cyber Threats – Malicious attempts to steal data, disrupt operations, or damage systems. 

• Data Breach – Unauthorized access to sensitive data, often leading to financial and reputational harm. 

• Shadow IT – The use of unauthorized apps or devices, creating security risks. 

• Zero Trust Security – A model requiring strict verification for every user and device. 

• Ransomware – Malware that locks files and demands payment to restore access. 

• Malware Attacks – Malicious software infections that can steal, damage, or encrypt data. 

• Patch Management – Regular software updates to fix security flaws and prevent attacks. 

• Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) – A single platform to secure and manage all endpoints.