Endpoint Security versus Antivirus Protection Software: Which is best for your business?
Eighty seven percent of small businesses in Australia do not have effective means to mitigate cyber risks. For most, the only precautionary measure in place is antivirus software, despite the fact that sixty five percent of small and medium businesses hit by cyber crime end up SHUTTING DOWN.
With the rapid growth of technology and Internet of things (IoT), we expect a lot more devices to be connected to the network. How do you ensure your network is protected from cyber threats? Is there a difference between endpoint security and antivirus protection software? This article will summarize the features of both solutions to help you choose the best for your business.
What is Endpoint Security?
Endpoint Security is a solution by which it monitors and detects any malicious activity going on in your network. Each device that is connected to your network is a vulnerability and creates a potential entry point for security threat. Endpoint security helps you to effectively safeguard your network and all device connected to it. It is centrally managed, has the ability to authenticate logins produced using new endpoint, and supports remote software deployments and updates.
Endpoint Security solutions are set of cyber security applications made up of antivirus, anti-malware, firewalls and intrusion detection.
Some of the key features of endpoint security solutions are:
| Anti-malware and Data Protection: Core functionalities of endpoint protection software include anti-malware and anti-exploit based prevention. Additional features may include firewall, data loss prevention (DLP), port and device control, and mobility management. |
| Endpoint Detection and Response: Features include being able to detect new endpoint devices as well as discover, report, and prioritize vulnerabilities. |
| Incident Investigation and Remediation: Centralized and automated tools that provide automated incident response approaches and step-by-step workflows for incident investigation. Advanced features include blacklisting and sandboxing to contain the spread of malware. |
| Third-party integrations: Integrate via open API systems with other security tools such as network monitoring, intrusion prevention, active directory, and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM). |
| Reports and Alerts: Provides prioritized alerts and warnings about vulnerabilities as well as dashboards and reports that enhance visibility of endpoint security. |
What is Antivirus Protection Software?
Antivirus software is a solution designed to detect and remove any malicious software that harms your computer and system. Some of the most common types are viruses, trojans, ransomware, and worms.
Antivirus protection are installed on single devices such as servers, desktops, laptops, and smartphones. They periodically scan device files and directories by running in the background to detect malicious activity indicating the presence of malware. It blocks and quarantines files if it detects any harmful act in your computer or system.
Antivirus needs to be updated regularly. If not, it will continue to rely on old virus definitions and will fail to detect new malwares, making you unsecure and prone to attacks.
Key features of antivirus software includes:
| Real-time and Manual Scanning: Automatically scans the system at scheduled times and takes action against any threat or virus detected. Manual scans allow you to start scans to resolve threats at any point in time. |
| Web protection: Helps to keep your online browsing sessions and downloads from the internet safe by blocking bad results or warning you when you are about to visit a malicious web page. |
| Threat identification: Identifies various types of malware including viruses, Trojans, ransomware, spyware, worms, adware, and more. |
| Quarantines Files: Removes or isolates infected files depending upon the severity of damage. |
| Alerts and notifications: Notifies you about periodic scans and updates as well as sending alerts about infected files and potentially malicious software. |
| Automatic updates: Provides remote updates about virus scan rules to keep the software up-to-date and capture new viruses and threats. |
Thousands of cyber threats are emerging every day and it is essential that you protect your business from any potential cyber threats and attack. Endpoint security and antivirus software are solutions that help you fight these threats but it is clear that they have a big difference when it comes to meeting the needs of every business requirements.
Still can’t decide? We can assess your business infrastructure so you can choose a solution that is suitable for your business! Contact our IT experts at 1300 337 984 or chat with us live by visiting our website Motionwave Technologies.
