Choosing the right security tool that would ensure company's and individual devices are well protected can be a daunting task.
Before stating some of the Best Antivirus Software or Endpoint security solution for personal and office use, you need to understand EndPoint Security...
Endpoint security is the securing of endpoints or end-users devices which includes desktops, laptops, and mobile devices from being exploited by malicious actors and campaigns. However, endpoint security solutions protect the endpoints on a network or in the cloud from cybersecurity threats or exploitation. It is worthy to note that Endpoint security has evolved from traditional antivirus software to providing comprehensive protection from sophisticated malware and evolving zero-day threats.
As cybersecurity threats have evolved, it became very pertinent to enhance endpoint security solutions. Organizations of all sizes are at risk from hacktivists, organized crime, malicious attacks and insider threats.
Hence, Endpoint security is cybersecurity's frontline and the best solution to secure enterprise networks. The importance of Endpoint Security cannot be played down in today's world because data is the most valuable asset of a company and to lose that data, or access to that data, could put the entire business at risk of insolvency.
How does Endpoint Protection Platform work?
- Endpoint protection platforms (EPP) makes use of protection components which includes File, Mail, Web and Netowrk threat Protection, to examine files as they enter the network.
- Advanced Endpoint security Solutions uses cloud assited technology that helps to increase the accuracy of verdicts for all protection components, in order to store the database signatures of attack vectors and other threat information which allows global access for greater speed and scalability in securing endpoints.
- EPP have Endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions that includes Behaviour detection, Exploit prevention and Host intrusion prevention which allow for the detection of more advanced threats, such as polymorphic attacks, fileless malware, and zero-day attacks. By employing continuous monitoring, the EDR solution can offer better visibility and a variety of response options.
- EPP uses protection solutions that heuristcally and quickly detect dangerous activities of malware and other threat vectors.
- EPP provides a centralized management console for system administrators which is installed on a server and allows cybersecurity professionals to control security for each device remotely. EPPs secure endpoints through application control, device control, web control and Adaptive Anomaly control. The centralized console push updates to the endpoints when necessary, authenticate log-in attempts from each device, and administer corporate policies from one location.
- EPP solutions are available in on-premises or cloud based models which are more scalable and can easily integrate your current architecture. However, certain regulatory/compliance rules may require on-premises security based on industrial standards.
What should the best Endpoint Security Solutions have?
Endpoint security Solutions offer much more than just frontline defenses, by expanding through EDR and XDR to provide better protection and detection alongside collecting analytics. Hence the best ESS should include these;
- Protection management that includes File threat Protection, Mail threat Protection, Web threat Protection, Netowrk threat Protection and Firewall. This protects against zero-day vulnerabilities and memory-based attacks.
- Data loss protection (DLP). This prevents access violations caused by insider attacks, including employees, and intentional or unintentional data loss in the event of a system breach. DLP enables organizations to block files transmitted via email or team collaboration tools, as well as files uploaded to the internet.
- EDR with Advanced machine learning capability, analyzes massive amounts of files and blocks new malware variants before they are executed on endpoint devices. The Behavioral monitoring component is a technique that uses machine learning to monitor behavior-based security to determine risks and block them.
- Endpoint Controls: Application, web, adaptive anomaly and device controls, enable organizations to control; which devices can upload or download data, access hardware or access the registry, reduce the chances of shadow IT with application allowlists or blocklists, ensuring only approved software and apps are installed on endpoints and control internet web pages access.
- Monitoring Tools (Reports and alerts). These provide prioritized warnings and alerts regarding vulnerabilities, as well as dashboards and reports that offer visibility into endpoint security.
- Incident investigation and remediation. These include centralized and automated tools to provide automated incident response approaches and step-by-step workflows to investigate incidents.
- Rapid detection of Malware. Detecting threats as early as possible is crucial. The longer a threat sits in the environment, the more it spreads and the more damage it can do. Many endpoint security tools now offer real-time detection capabilities.
- Centralized management of endpoint security with on-premises or cloud deployment options.
Based on the EndPoint Security Solutions requirements as illustrated above which should include;
- Ransomware protection, behavioral analysis, endpoint detection and response, deep level protection, malware analysis, threat intelligence, coud-assisted technology, byod containerization and advanced centralized console.
- Sector coverage such as Financial, Manufacturing, Education, Healthcare, Government and FMG, by ensuring that controls, policies and configurations are hardeded correctly and in accordance with each industrial standard cyber security, risk and compliance.
- Monitoring, identifying and remediating risks and Artificial Intelligence Powered engine.
On the next generation Endpoint Security, some of the best are;
- Symantec Endpoint Protection
- Bitdefender Endpoint Security
- McAfee Endpoint Security
- Kaspersky Endpoint Security
- Harmony Endpoint Security
- Eset Endpoint Security
According to Hazuwa Insitute Cyberlab, the most outstanding with 100% accuracy in detection, protection, AI, advanced admin console, cloud-assisted tech, remediation and industrial coverage is
Kaspersky Endpoint Security.