1. A method for controlling the operation of an endpoint, comprising: providing a user interface, at a computing system remote from the end point, configured to allow configuration of a plurality of policies; maintaining the plurality of policies in a data store on the computing system; identifying, from the plurality of policies, a plurality of operating conditions on the endpoint to monitor; configuring one or more software agents on the endpoint to monitor the plurality of operating conditions; receiving, across a network, at the computing system, status information about the plurality of operating conditions on the endpoint gathered by the one or more software agents; determining, by the computing system, a compliance state of the endpoint based on the status information and a plurality of compliance policies in the data store; and initiating, by the computing system, based on the compliance state, an action identified in at least one rule in the data store, wherein the action is carried out by a processor on the endpoint.