Antivirus software typically only scans the devices that it’s installed on. On the other hand, endpoint security solutions detect and respond to cyber threats across your entire network. This doesn’t mean that an antivirus solution is a waste of time. Rather, it means that using the two in tandem will yield the best results.
| “With the increasing globalization of your average enterprise workforce, overseeing all those endpoints is becoming an impossible task for your typical IT/SecOps department. That’s why an enterprise-grade endpoint protection plan is critical.” – Tab Bradshaw, Chief Operating Officer, Redpoint Cybersecurity |
As a business owner, you should avoid free-to-use software applications. This kind of antivirus software only detects malware based on a database of known threats (a process known as signature-based detection). That won’t do much in the face of unknown, evolving risks.
So, how can an EDR solution work with your current antivirus software and security team? This article will explore how these solutions work together to enhance your security posture to the level that your business needs.
Advanced Threat Detection and Response With Advanced Antivirus Tools
As mentioned, advanced antivirus tools go beyond scanning a database of known threats. NGAV-based machine learning algorithms detect and record patterns and conduct behavioral analysis on these patterns to predict future threat behavior.
Additionally, NGAV is cloud-based, whereas typical antivirus tools are installed on individual devices. This significantly reduces the burden of application maintenance and management and makes software updates much faster.
Learn More About Enterprise-Grade Detection and Response |
What is Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) & How Does It Work?
Endpoint detection and response (EDR) continuously monitors and analyzes endpoint activities across your network to identify suspicious behavior. It works by collecting data from endpoint devices like computers and servers, and then uses advanced algorithms to detect anomalies based on this data collection.
Although the main purpose of EDR is to detect and remediate threats, it comes with the added benefit of being able to assess the health of your IT infrastructure. If a detected anomaly turns out not to be a threat, it could still be a sign of another issue in your IT system.
Bringing EDR & Antivirus Together
Combining EDR and antivirus software may seem redundant, but it can provide the most comprehensive protection for your IT network. EDR’s automated remediation abilities can swiftly neutralize detected threats, and the antivirus software can prevent malware from gaining a foothold in the first place.
This synergistic approach ensures that your enterprise network is resilient against a broad spectrum of cyber threats. However, your endpoint protection plan should be meticulously crafted based on your specific needs. For this reason, you should also be aware of other protection options available.
What Other Options Do You Have When It Comes to Endpoint Protection?
EDR is just one of the many options for endpoint protection, and most businesses use more than one in tandem based on their needs. Here’s an overview of the various endpoint protection options.
| Option | Description | Key Benefits | Use Case |
| Endpoint Protection Platform (EPP) | Comprehensive security solution that integrates various protection features. | Malware prevention, firewall, intrusion detection. | Enterprises require an all-in-one solution. |
| Firewall | Controls network traffic at the endpoint level. | Blocks unauthorized access, customizable rules. | Organizations with internal and external network interactions. |
| Mobile Device Management (MDM) | Manages and secures mobile devices. | Device tracking, remote wipe, app management. | Businesses with mobile or remote workforces. |
| Identity and Access Management (IAM) | Manages user access at the endpoint level. | Role-based access, multi-factor authentication. | Companies with multiple user roles and compliance needs. |
| Data Loss Prevention (DLP) | Monitors and controls data transfer at the endpoint. | Prevents data leaks, compliance with regulations. | Organizations who handle sensitive or regulated data. |
| Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) | Collects and analyzes endpoint security data. | Real-time monitoring, compliance reporting. | Enterprises with complex endpoint structures. |
| Zero Trust Architecture | Requires verification for every request made to an endpoint. | Minimizes attack surface, micro-segmentation. | High-security sectors like finance and healthcare. |
| Application Control | Restricts which applications can run on endpoints. | Reduces attack vectors, improves compliance. | Enterprises with strict software usage policies. |
| Network Access Control (NAC) | Regulates access to network resources at the endpoint. | Guest networking, policy enforcement. | Businesses with fluctuating network access needs. |
| Threat Hunting | Proactively searches for signs of compromise on endpoints. | Early threat detection, reduces dwell time. | Organizations with high-value or sensitive data. |
Why You Need a Professional Human Team, Not Just Software
As sophisticated as enterprise-grade EDR and antivirus tools can be, at the end of the day they are still merely algorithms. This means the risk of false positives remains, especially when expected unusual activity occurs, such as a new login from a remote location.
Having a team of cybersecurity experts who can verify threats before taking action reduces any time wasted on false positives. However, you can’t just trust anyone. If you don’t select people with the proper training, they may misattribute threat levels.
That’s not something you’ll need to worry about with Redpoint Cybersecurity. 92% of our team members have advanced cybersecurity degrees and we employ over 30 experts with an average of 22 years of military cyber experience. Our continuous monitoring will filter out the false positives and provide an extra layer of detection.
Reach out to us today to see how we can help.