Business Tech: Is an antivirus enough for your system or do you need to add EDR?

Bahar Ferguson 

Protecting system endpoints from cyber threats and viruses is an important component of your organization’s cybersecurity strategy. An “endpoint” can be any end-user device, including a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or mobile phone that can access your network. While hybrid and remote work have transformed the world of work in many positive ways, they have also created potential weaknesses that cyber attackers can use to their advantage. If a remote employee’s device is compromised, attackers can gain access to your business network and all kinds of sensitive data. Organizations must update their cybersecurity strategies accordingly.

Today, employees get work done on multiple devices (both personal devices and company-issued ones) from many different locations, giving attackers more opportunities to access your network. As remote and mobile workstations become more common and cybersecurity threats become more sophisticated, you need an equally sophisticated cybersecurity solution.

For many years now, antivirus software has been a staple of an organization’s cybersecurity strategy. But is it enough?

Endpoint detection and response (EDR) has emerged as an increasingly popular method of protection against cyber attacks. This guide will explain how EDR is different from antivirus software and help you determine the best virus protection solution for your organization.

What is EDR?

EDR or endpoint detection and response (also called endpoint threat detection and response) is a security system that continually monitors endpoint devices, gathers and analyzes data and automatically responds to potential cyber threats. As EDR continually monitors the system, it uses data analytics to detect unusual or suspicious activity. It can then deploy automatic responses to prevent the threat from reaching your network (threat containment). EDR also provides threat intelligence and aids in the speedy investigation of malicious activity or breach incidents.

EDR is not a standalone security solution; it integrates with other system security measures to provide better visibility and more effective incident response.

The Difference Between Antivirus and EDR

Most organizations have some form of antivirus program in place to protect against threats like malware and ransomware. So how does antivirus or AV differ from EDR?

Antivirus

Antivirus software is used to identify, detect and remove malware and malicious code from your computer. AV is primarily signature-based, which means it can detect known threats based on their unique characteristics. AV might perform scheduled scans at regular intervals or react to certain threats in real time. It is effective at preventing and removing basic viruses and can warn users about potentially unsafe file downloads or websites.

EDR

EDR provides a more sophisticated, multi-layered level of protection than antivirus alone. EDR performs real-time continuous monitoring to identify potential threats. It is behavior-based, not signature-based, so it is more effective at detecting suspicious activity and new forms of malware. EDR also collects vast amounts of data, allowing investigators to understand exactly what happened in the event of a security breach.

The Advantages of EDR?

The IT and cybersecurity industries are shifting toward EDR solutions. Why?

While antivirus used to be the standard, it is now the bare minimum. It’s better than nothing, but in reality, it is not sufficient to protect your enterprise against modern cyberthreats. As threats evolve and become more sophisticated, so too must our methods of protection.

AI-Driven

Cybersecurity threats are evolving every day. You need a security strategy that can keep up. EDR uses AI-driven technology and machine learning to identify behavior changes and unusual activity that may signal a potential threat. This is important because cyber attackers are using increasingly sophisticated methods and fileless threats to evade detection. EDR can pick up on unusual behavior that may indicate a new or unknown type of threat.

Reporting and Intelligence Capabilities

The historical data captured by EDR programs not only aids in advanced threat detection but also provides critical insights to investigators in the event of a security breach. EDR can create a complete picture of what happened leading up to an incident, including user account logins, address connections, processes, media usage and more.

Alert Triage and Response Capabilities

Not all potential threats require the same level of response. EDR can employ its data analysis and machine learning capabilities to triage potential threats and deploy appropriate responses. Some threats will be removed automatically, while others will undergo remediation and recovery. Streamlining threat responses reduces downtime and keeps your business moving.

Threat Containment

When a threat is detected, EDR can sandbox the affected endpoint to prevent it from reaching the rest of your network.

Remote Incident Response

When your workforce is distributed, you can’t rely on on-site responses to security issues. EDR can provide remote incident and threat response for your end users to keep business running smoothly.

EDR as Part of Comprehensive Cybersecurity Solution

EDR is not a standalone cybersecurity solution, but it does provide more comprehensive and sophisticated threat detection and response than traditional antivirus software. As with any cybersecurity tool, EDR is most effective when used as part of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, which must include end-user training and education.

Bahar Ferguson is the president of Wasatch I.T., a Utah IT provider for small and medium-sized businesses.