Best Endpoint Protection

The Best Security Platforms

Are you in search of a new endpoint protection solution, which will implement advanced and reliable protection of your employees, working remotely? 
Endpoint security protection has always been a must-have IT security tool for enterprises. It accomplishes the task of protecting remote devices, connecting to a corporate network: any time a device connects to the network, a vulnerability may originate. Endpoint security sometimes can also be useful as an additional protection measure as the final stage of defense against threats, which somehow weren’t detected by other protective tools. 
Recently we have witnessed a tendency of replacement of endpoint protection tools with next-generation firewalls and zero-trust models. However, during the Corona crisis period, some changes have occurred and the trend has reversed again. Remote way of work, as well as home offices have multiplied the number of endpoints, because the number of devices, connecting remotely to corporate networks on an everyday basis has grown significantly.  Numerous intruders wanted to take advantage of this fact by detecting arising vulnerabilities and misuse them as potential “entry points” into corporate networks.
Main attributes of good endpoint security solutions are centralized management and the ability to integrate with other network protection measures. State-of-the-art technologies such as machine learning, AI, dynamic threat identification or automation can further increase the level of protection. We've brought together some of best endpoint security platforms in this article.

Avast Business Antivirus Pro Plus

Avast's endpoint protection software basic issue is the antivirus protection. Business versions allow Windows, Mac and Linux operated work stations to be managed in a centralized manner via a cloud-based console. The dashboard enables administrators to find out whether endpoints have up-to-date protection anytime. Any particular device can also be scanned for in order to threat detection remotely with a touch of a button. Other features of Avast Business Antivirus Pro Plus include firewall, email protection, sandboxing, behavioral protection and VPN.

Bitdefender GravityZone Ultra

Bitdefender's GravityZone Ultra platform also offers more than simply endpoint threat protection: it continuously monitors endpoints and analyzes risks in order to proactively prioritize upcoming actions, basing on the gathered data. This is required for reduction of attack surfaces. If desired, GravityZone can also ensure endpoint protection up to date automatically, with no need of a user to act. The tool is a multiplatform one – it operates on Windows, Linux, macOS powered machines, may be deployed in physical, virtualized or cloud-based environment.

The risk analysis capabilities of the Bitdefender solution also incorporate user behavior: poor password management or unencrypted data transfers can no longer stay undetected. It’s really a significant advantage for companies, those unexpectedly face the need of connection of a large number of remote workers, to be able to identify employees, who need a sort of training, and to be able to help staff members to increase their level of computer literacy.

Check Point Endpoint Security

Check Point Endpoint Security provides a whole host of features, gathered on one platform, and  secures Windows and macOS operated workstations. This includes detection and response capabilities that provide automated defense in case an attack happens and block of access to the network. In addition, Check Point's platform also protects data on the endpoints. In terms of remote work, the ability to secure VPN connections should also be a useful feature. 

ESET Secure Business

ESET's packaged Secure Business solution ensures protection for Windows, Mac and Linux operated machines, and also secures mobile devices under Android and iOS powered devices. A centralized console helps administrators to manage the security platform in a comfortable manner.
The ESET endpoint security protects businesses from the most common types of endpoint attacks, such as ransomware or fileless malware. Advanced security measures such as monitoring or encryption policies can also be implemented with the help of Secure Business. The opportunity to secure mail gateways shouldn’t be neglected as well.

F-Secure Protection Service for Business

F-Secure's endpoint security solution is available for companies as a service and is managed via a cloud based portal. Installation on endpoints is completed via an email-based process. The solution can be controlled either by a service provider or by the user company itself.
Thanks to artificial intelligence and behavior monitoring, F-Secure's protection accurately detects both malware and zero-day exploits. The solution also provides a patch management system that automatically keeps software and hardware up to date.

FireEye Endpoint Security

FireEye takes a three-tiered approach with its endpoint security platform: a signature-based antivirus engine eliminates common malware and is complemented by a machine-learning engine designed to take the wind out of the sails of serious threats. Behavioral analysis also aims to detect and block exploits and compromise processes.
The FireEye platform includes other tools, actively and quickly combating attacks. If one has been prevented, analysis tools help to perform an investigation of the incident or security audit.

G Data Endpoint Security

G Data's endpoint security platform ensures enterprises broad threat protection. The platform is managed via a central dashboard and includes the company's proprietary "DeepRay" technology, which is aimed at detection of advanced or well-disguised malware based on AI and machine learning. G Data's endpoint security package also includes patch management and firewall features.

Kaspersky Endpoint Detection and Response

Kaspersky Endpoint Detection and Response aims to enable enterprises to build a sustainable defense bulwark around their endpoints. Among other, the platform includes a toolset that helps companies establish security policies and automatically defend against threats. If the Kaspersky platform detects an attack on an endpoint, it not simply blocks them, but also sends a comprehensive report to the security team. This also provides information on which techniques were used to compromise the system. The solution uses the insights gained to determine their threat level and identify ways to combat similar attacks in the future.

McAfee MVISION Endpoint

McAfee's MVISION Endpoint Security Platform analyzes the entire endpoint network and then ranks the threats it finds in accordance with their damage potential. The McAfee solution is also managed via a central dashboard and combines local and cloud-based detection capabilities with machine learning to reliably detect all threats.

When prioritizing risks, the platform takes into account such aspects, as: organization’s business sphere, region, the current level of organization’s security protection. The endpoint security software also provides information on whether one's business would be armed against certain threats.

Microsoft Defender Antivirus
From a purely technical point of view, Microsoft Defender is not a fully-fledged endpoint security platform. However, the Microsoft product ensures good quality, free virus protection for any workstation, operated by Windows 10. In some tests, the former Windows Defender performed better than paid antivirus competitors. Thus, it may be reasonable to use Microsoft Defender as an additional security measure.

Seqrite End Point Security
Seqrite's endpoint security platform can also boast plenty of relevant functionality available, allowing administrators to control Windows and Mac systems in a centralized manner: for example, they can set rules, determining which applications may be run on devices or restricting use of some specific websites. As soon as a violation of defined policies is detected on one of endpoint, the system sends an alert. It’s also possible to lock down a device in order to protect the corporate network from external threats or malicious user behavior.

Sophos Intercept X Endpoint

Sophos's platform, called Intercept X Endpoint, offers protection against viruses and exploits, as well as it provides the ability to implement "advanced threat hunting" – just as if the endpoints were parts of the core network. Even if there are no employees in charge in the company, it’s not really a big deal: a team of experts will help in this case.

Symantec Endpoint Security

Symantec's endpoint security platform protects corporate assets on-premises as well as in the cloud or hybrid environments. In such case, it works via a central management console - any device, including mobile ones, can be integrated virtually. The protection measures and functionalities of the Symantec platform include policy management, credential security and continuous monitoring, the platform also implements artificial intelligence. In order to include an endpoint, it’s simply required to install a digital agent on a device.

Trend Micro Apex One Endpoint Security

With its Apex One platform, Trend Micro aims to redefine endpoint security. To achieve this, the security provider uses a variety of detection technologies neutralizing malicious scripts, code injection, ransomware and memory attacks, as well as fileless malware. Security incidents can be correlated across endpoint, email, server and cloud workloads to reveal a holistic picture of a potentially coordinated series of attacks.
A unique selling point of the Trend Micro platform is its host-based intrusion prevention system. As soon as it detects a security vulnerability on an endpoint, it can patch it automatically. If no official patch is available, the system can generate a "virtual" patch that protects the potentially endangered device until an official fix is available.

VMware Carbon Black Cloud Endpoint Standard

Both machine learning and behavioral analytics are attributes of Cloud Endpoint Standard's basic features. In addition, the platform is self-learning, it aggregates data on each endpoint. This also allows to display all suspicious and unsuspicious activities on a timeline, helping security teams to take the correct actions at the appropriate time. In addition to the central dashboard, organizations, using Carbon Black Cloud Endpoint Standard are also provided with up-to-date threat reports, conducted by a dedicated team of experts. These also include tips on system recovery, new security techniques and current threat trends.

Webroot Business Endpoint Protection

The solution by Webroot Business offers a cloud-based management console. The platform provides a user with a clear picture of threats at the endpoint level. Administrators can use the Webroot platform to gain deep insights into the endpoints they are monitoring - even if they want to find out, what scripts are being executed in remote environments, they have such an opportunity. According to the vendor, threats, originating from malicious JavaScript, VBScript or PowerShell applications, or even macros, can be detected. The platform is also supposed to prevent attacks with "fileless scripts". To avoid false alarms, a permission to run some specifical scripts can also be set. 

SearchInform RiskMonitor

The complex solution by SearchInform offers effective protection against multiple threats. The platform provides convinient exports of illustrative results in a unified dashboard, whatmakes it easy to understand, what's actually happening in within the organization's security perimeter. Active implementation of most advanced methods, including machine learning, helps to deal with up-to-date threats. What's more, function of control of  connected to a PC devices is availiable: for instance, any interaction (uploading, downloading, copying etc.) maybe prohibited for any or only specified users. Plenty of functionality is availiable for Windows, Linux and macOS operated machines. 

What is an Endpoint Protection Platform?

In fact, it’s a comprehensive security solution deployed on endpoints in order to ensure protection against threats. 
EPP solutions typically leverage cloud data to support advanced monitoring processes and remote remediation. EPP solutions have a wide range of security capabilities. Basic features include the following:

• Defense against file-based malware

• Suspicious activity detection using methods, ranging from Indicators of Compromise (IOC) to behavioral analysis

• Investigation and remediation tools for handling dynamic incidents and notifications

• Endpoint protection platforms are the last word in endpoint security. They are designed to identify attackers who can bypass traditional endpoint security and consolidate complex security stacks. Apart from consolidation, they also ensure improved data sharing, which in turn optimizes analytics to detect suspicious behavior. It also greatly simplifies security operations.

Another key benefit is the pivot to clouds. Cloudnative EPPs use a single lightweight agent to monitor all endpoints. It enables collection and usage of data, extending far beyond a single organization's endpoints. Gathered globally and shared data, illustrating attackers’ tactics leads to more efficient detection of intruders’ behavior.

In the "Critical Capabilities for Endpoint Protection Platforms" research, Gartner experts note the importance of cloud-based EPPs, as they cut administrative costs and provide more agile product enhancements than traditional on-premises deployments. Gartner specialists also stated, that for security specialists it’s important to make sure, that EPP vendors keep up with the pace of threats occurrence.

Cloud-based EPP functionality exceeds incident response and turns into real-time behavioral analytics. The most advanced EPP incorporates event stream processing to transform endpoint security - the same technology is used to detect credit card fraud. Thus, detection of attackers, who deliberately pretend to behave in an ordinary manner to hide their tactics becomes possible. Currently, VMware Carbon Black Cloud is the only EPP that uses event stream processing and already has excellent results in detecting attackers before exfiltration.

How Attackers Evade Traditional Endpoint Security?

The primary motivation for developing an EPP was the fact that attackers used to evade traditional solutions from SecOps teams easily. Attackers have bypassed traditional endpoint security capabilities and have managed to remain undetected in networks for long periods of time.

Five methods attackers use to bypass traditional endpoint security

Fileless ransomware 

Traditional endpoint security is still quite inefficient in countering fileless methods of spreading ransomware, as there are simply no files to detect and block. The amount of fileless attacks continues to grow. Only with the help of EPP it’s possible to identify patterns that indicate fileless attack methods.

New attack techniques

Advanced attack methods have been developed by cybercriminals and offered for sale, or simply made available as open source on the internet and in dark web. These scripts and tactics allow attackers not to arouse suspicion and successfully hide within a network.

Outdated endpoints  

The threat landscape is evolving rapidly. That’s why security vendors are developing patches and updates as quickly as possible in order to deal with permanently arising threats. However, SecOps teams often can't keep up with the pace of updates, especially in the absence of patch management and automation. In addition, endpoint agents often fail, leaving detached endpoints unprotected. For instance, a 2019 report on global endpoint security trends revealed, that the prerequisite of 35% of endpoint security breaches were existing vulnerabilities. Since EPPs are typically cloud-based, they remain continuously updated, what ensures  protection of endpoints against the latest threats.

Multiple data sources 

Traditional endpoint security solutions run in relative isolation from the rest of the security stack. This means that multiple systems are required to view activity on a single endpoint and capture suspicious activity across the network during an investigation. Endpoint protection platforms provide a single reliable and objective resource. They combine data from all security solutions on the platform to simplify both data access and alert investigation.

Filtered endpoint data 

Many endpoint security solutions filter out endpoint data that is deemed non-threat according to known behavior patterns and IOCs. Attackers now have more advanced methods and rely on endpoint data filters to sort out their activities. This means that new patterns won’t be detected by SecOps. If you permanently gather endpoint activity data, you will detect these new methods and be able to predict new threats.

Industry reports

Analysts and security experts agree that EPPs are the best solution for protecting networks from mixed threats. Gartner and Forrester address this issue with the Gartner Magic Quadrant on Endpoint Protection Platforms and Forrester Wave on Endpoint Security Suites. The EPP validation comes from Forrester's ROI analysis. According to Forrester's Total Economic Impact study on endpoint protection platforms, seven organizations that switched to an EPP had an average ROI of 204%. This equated to an average savings of $2.1 million over a three-year period.

The solution? Identify behavioral anomalies.
Cybercriminals successfully use malware to achieve their goals. That's because traditional antivirus software often use static analysis as their core security tactic. These tools can only identify known specimens, and due to the rapid development of new malware on an every day basis, most of it comes out as unknown files. Intruders use various methods (e.g., packaging or compressing) to alter aspects of their malware to ensure that it’s not detected as a known threat. Thus, they easily slip through the meshes of defenses.

This is where next-generation endpoint security solutions and behavioral analytics come into play. The good news regarding malware is that it’s behavioral patterns within a system or on a  device are ultimately different from normal user behavior. And with Big Data and machine learning focusing on anomalies, malware can be identified as a deviation from the norm and a potential threat.