When it comes to securing your devices and networks, endpoint protection service plays a crucial role.
The endpoint protection solution protects endpoints, including servers, laptops, desktops, and mobile devices against malware, phishing, and other cyber threats.
Modern endpoint security solutions include advanced preventative measures, which can block both known and unknown malware and some other cybersecurity threats.
In this guide, we will discuss what an endpoint protection service is, why endpoint protection services are important, and the 5 best endpoint protection services.
We will provide options ranging from easy-to-use platforms for small businesses to advanced solutions for enterprise-grade security.
What is Endpoint Protection Service?
An endpoint protection platform is a comprehensive security solution crafted to secure endpoint devices from cybersecurity threats.
Unlike traditional antivirus software, the endpoint protection platforms provide more sophisticated tools, such as automated response mechanisms, behavioural analysis, and more.
These platforms are often cloud-based and keep regular updates to secure the endpoints from the latest cyber threats.
Main Components of an EPP Solution
- Anti-virus and Anti-malware: These security solutions detect and remove malicious software.
- Firewall Protection: Keeps monitoring network traffic and blocks any unauthorized access.
- Behavioural Analysis: Detects suspicious activities.
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Prevents the unauthorized sharing of data
- Threat Intelligence: Provides insight into emerging cyber threats.
- Intrusion Detection and Prevention: Recognize and prevent malicious activities at the endpoints.
Key Features to Look for in an EPP Service
When you are looking for an EPP, you must want an advanced threat preventative platform with endpoint security. The EPP solution must come with the following capabilities:
- Comprehensive Threat Detection: Look for an EPP solution that offers advanced malware detection, firewall protection, behavioural analysis, and threat intelligence.
- Ease of Management: The EPP should enable the security team to monitor and control all endpoints from a single dashboard.
- Malicious URL Detection: The EPP should detect malicious websites so that users from those websites aren’t able to access your endpoints.
- Integrate with Other Security Tools: By connecting with the existing security solution, the EPP delivers more automated and efficient responses.
Reasons Why Enterprises Need EPP?
The EPP solution defends your system from cyber threats like file-based and fileless malware, phishing, ransomware, and more.
An EPP solution uses real-time detection and response to unauthorized behaviour towards the network and endpoints.
So, the platform can prevent intrusions before they can damage your system. You can imagine the platform as a 24/7 digital watchdog for your business.
Malware protection is one of the most critical abilities of an efficient EPP platform because new malware appears on the threat landscape 24/7.
With the threat identification and remediation capabilities of an EPP solution, any enterprise can secure its endpoints as malware gets more sophisticated.
The IT team of an enterprise needs a solution that provides them with the resources they require to deal with those threats.
An effective EPP solution can continuously monitor and identify novel and zero-day threats using device behavior.
The 5 Best Endpoint Protection Services
1. Sophos Intercept X
Sophos Intercept X is an advanced threat protection service, and it is well-known for its next-gen security and deep learning capability.
This software combines advanced features like anti-ransomware with traditional anti-malware tools.
Key features:
- Ransomware recovery
- Blocks attackers from exploiting software vulnerabilities
- Threat intelligence integration
- AI-based malware detection
Pros:
- Strong threat detection capabilities
- Easy management
- Integration with other Sophos products
- Explout prevention
Cons:
- Some users report that the software generates false positives, potentially reducing normal operations.
2. Cynet
Cynet is another best endpoint protection service that blocks malware, malicious scripts, exploits, and other malicious payloads.
Zero-day protection feature and Entity Behaviour Analytics detect and block suspicious activity.
The EPP platform identifies known attack patterns used in zero-day vulnerabilities to secure the system’s endpoints.
Key feature:
- Malware and ransomware protection
- Exploit protection
- Zero-day protection
- NGAV (Next generation anti-virus)
- Deception technology
Pros:
- Automated incident response
- Integration with other security systems
- User-friendly interface
- 24/7 service
Cons:
- Some users report that performance slowdowns
3. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is another ideal choice for businesses that are already using Windows.
This EPP solution helps to prevent breaches by using behavior-based and signature-based techniques.
It provides next-generation protection, web protection, firewall, and real-time threat detection and response capabilities.
Key features:
- Next-generation protection
- Endpoint detection and response
- Attack surface reduction
- Seamless Windows integration
Pros:
- Attack disruption
- Unified security operations
- Centralized management
Cons:
- Lacks integration with third-party systems
- Updates are slow to move out of preview
4. Trellix Endpoint Protection Platform
Trellix Endpoint Protection Platform (McAfee) leverages machine learning to protect the endpoints against advanced threats.
The centralized management console simplifies policy enforcement, even in distributed infrastructure. So, it is the ideal choice for businesses seeking diverse security requirements.
Key features:
- Advanced malware detection
- Data loss prevention
- Vulnerability management
- Endpoint detection and response
Pros:
- Real-time threat prevention
- Unified console to manage security policies across the endpoints
- integrate with other security solutions
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- Some users report that configuring Trellix Endpoint Protection Platform is a time-consuming and complex task.
5. CrowdStrike Endpoint Protection
CrowdStrike Endpoint Protection is a cybersecurity solution that provides a comprehensive approach to endpoint security.
Powered by AI and machine learning, CrowdStrike provides protection, identification, and response capabilities.
The platform focuses on preventing breaches through real-time threat detection and blocking malicious activities at every stage of the attack chain.
Key features:
- AI-powered next-generation antivirus
- Firewall management
- Threat intelligence
- Multi-OS support
Pros:
- Advanced threat detection
- Real-time visibility and monitoring
- Ease of management
- Scalability
Cons:
- The AI-powered threat detection can sometimes lead to false positives.
FAQs
Q. How do endpoint protection services differ from traditional antivirus?
Ans: Traditional antivirus software focuses on identifying known malware, relies completely on regularly updated databases of threats.
However, powered with AI and machine learning, EPP solutions provide threat detection and system monitoring with behavioural analysis.
The efficient EPP solution can detect zero-days and more sophisticated threats.
Q. Can EPP platforms prevent zero-day attacks?
Ans: Yes, advanced endpoint protection services can prevent zero-day attacks.
Instead of relying heavily on known threat signatures, modern EPP solutions use heuristic analysis, machine learning, and behavior-based detection to identify suspicious threat activities.
Q. Are EPPs suitable for small businesses?
Ans: Yes, several EPP vendors offer EPP solutions ideal for small to medium enterprises, including large organizations.
EPP services are customizable and scalable, making them ideal for small organizations to implement an effective EPP solution, aligning with their budget.
However, for small organizations, choosing the right EPP service is crucial, as you only require streamlined interfaces and features tailored to the needs and constraints of your smaller teams.
Conclusion
Endpoint protection services are crucial to defend your organization’s servers, laptops, mobile devices, workstations, and containers.
Most EPP platforms are maintained in the cloud and use AI and machine learning for monitoring malicious behaviour threats.
Here, in this article, we have discussed every aspect of endpoint protection services, including the 5 best EPP solutions for businesses.
You can choose one EPP solution from the list that completely aligns with your organizational needs.
You can install the EPP solution on endpoint devices to prevent threats such as NGAV (next-generation anti-virus), malware, phishing attacks, software vulnerability exploits, and more.