According to Risk IQ, every endpoint connected to the Internet experiences three new attacks every two minutes. And with more employees going remote than ever before, businesses are looking for new ways to protect their endpoints. In this article, we’ll go over some of the top endpoint protection platforms available to businesses.
1. BitDefender GravityZone Ultra
BitDefender was named the best overall endpoint security software by QuickSprout earlier this year.
The GravityZone Ultra solution, in particular, is highly rated for its malware detection, high performance, and usability.
Most of GravityZone Ultra features work automatically, but managers can customize the product to control user actions. Additionally, BitDefender covers all enterprise endpoints running Windows, Linux, or macOS, in both physical and cloud environments.
Some customers suggest that BitDefender lacks some of the more advanced features offered by other endpoint protection vendors. But if you’re looking for strong endpoint threat protection in an easy-to-manage solution, then BitDefender is a great option.
Key Features
- Endpoint risk analysis
- Patch management
- Granular policy settings
- Encryption
- Email security
- Local and cloud machine learning
- Device control
- Application control
- Network attack defense
- Automatic disinfection and removal
- Root cause analysis
2. McAfee MVISION Endpoint Security
McAfee MVISION Endpoint Security is widely considered one of the best endpoint protection platforms for large organizations.
It combines the functionality of McAfee Active Response and McAfee Investigator with modern enhancements, like expanded data collection, detection analysis, and cloud-based deployment.
MVISION Endpoint and Detection Response (EDR) identifies and prioritizes suspicious behavior to guide and automate in-depth investigations. Its use of machine learning and behavioral analytics allows MVISION EDR to detect threats more quickly, meaning that you can accomplish more in less time.
If you’re a large or enterprise-level organization, then McAfee MVISION EDR will provide you with a powerful and automated threat detection and response solution.
Key Features
- Centralized management console
- Machine learning analysis
- Rollback remediation
- Antimalware protection
- Proactive web security
- Dynamic application containment
3. Perch Security
Perch is a co-managed threat detection and response platform backed by an in-house Security Operations Center (SOC) like CRT’s Security Team. Perch was built to be flexible, scaling to any size business and tailored to fit your specific security needs.
See threat activity on your network and among your peers. Boost defense, not headcount. Detect what’s eluded your existing defenses.
Key Features
- Multi-tenancy
- Threat Hunting
- Log Ingestion
- Intel Agnosticism
- Threat Management
- Reporting
4. Check Point SandBlast Agent
Check Point is well-known in the cybersecurity field for their cloud security, network security, mobile security, and threat protection. And their SandBlast Agent is a fully-equipped endpoint protection platform that can prevent even the most sophisticated threats and attacks.
Check Point’s static file analysis leverages machine learning to detect malware before it can damage your endpoints. It also offers full visibility into attacks by creating a full forensics report for each instance of threat detection.
Between its behavioral guards, forensic reports, and remote access VPN, Check Point SandBlast agent is the perfect solution for organizations in need of advanced threat protection.
Key Features
- Threat emulation technology
- Real-time threat extraction
- Anti-ransomware
- Forensic reports
- Anti-exploit for vulnerable applications
- Full disk encryption
- Behavioral guards
- Anti-bot tools
- Zero phishing
- Anti-malware
- Remote access VPN
- Media encryption and port protection
- Firewall and compliance checks
5. Symantec Endpoint Protection
Symantec was the market leader for years in endpoint security, winning four AV-TEST Institute Best Protection and Best Performance awards in 2018.
While it no longer ranks number one, Symantec is still a well-known security platform that offers a fully-featured endpoint protection solution.
Symantec adopts a holistic security approach to offer protection throughout the entire attack chain, from pre-attack to the attack, breach, and post-breach phases. Its endpoint capabilities include deception technology, file-less attack protection, and enhanced mobile application security.
Symantec’s centralized console provides superior protection to assets located on-premise, in hybrid environments, and through its cloud-based service. It utilizes AI to make policy updates easier, while streamlining workflows for admin teams.
Key Features
- Centralized cloud-based management system
- Malware and exploit protection
- Network firewall and Intrusion prevention systems
- Behavioral forensics and attack analytics
- Application and device control
6. Sophos Endpoint Protection
For years, Sophos has received praise for their wide range of endpoint protection and network security systems for businesses.
Sophos Endpoint Protection helps businesses detect phishing, ransomware, viruses, and malware before they can enter your network. Through AI and machine learning technology, Sophos can identify threats by analyzing their behavior.
With a variety of endpoint security tools to offer, Sophos is a great choice for mid-market and enterprise organizations.
Key Features
- Managed threat response
- Anti-ransomware
- Deep learning technology
- Behavior analytics
- Automatic threat discovery and removal
- Exploit prevention
- Active adversary mitigations
- Effective quarantine process
7. Webroot Business Endpoint Protection
The Webroot Business Endpoint Protection platform uses a cloud-based console to provide contextual threat intelligence for organizations. Its multi-layered defense system protects endpoints against viruses, malware, phishing, ransomware, and more.
Webroot gives administrators full visibility into their endpoints, allowing them to view detailed information, like the scripts running in each environment. To prevent false positives, Webroot also allows whitelisting for specific businesses and scripts. Everything is managed in real time through a central, cloud-based interface.
Webroot is a great option for small and mid-sized organizations, as well as Managed Service Providers (MSPs).
Key Features
- Contextual threat intelligence
- Intelligent firewall
- User identity and privacy
- Infrared dynamic risk prevention
- RMM, PSA & BI integrations
8. VMWare Carbon Black Defense
VMWare Carbon Black Defense is a cloud-based security platform that employs a variety of endpoint protection techniques, including machine learning and behavioral analysis.
In addition to uncovering malicious activity, VMWare saves endpoint data in order to perfect its detection capabilities. Administrators can view a complete timeline of both suspicious and normal activities to more easily detect security threats.
Carbon Black’s team of experts regularly create threat reports with the latest intelligence on endpoint security.
With its full visibility and management, VMWare Carbon Black provides advanced protection against even the most sophisticated of threats.
Key Features
- Next-gen antivirus and Endpoint Detection Response (EDR)
- Real-time endpoint query and remediation
- Advanced threat hunting and incident response
- Virtual Data Center security
- Monitoring and alerts
9. Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection
According to Gartner, Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) is among the most popular endpoint protection solutions for businesses. Defender ATP works natively with Windows 10 but is also available in versions compatible with Mac and Linux.
Microsoft Defender provides free antivirus protection on any Windows 10 device, and it’s ranked higher than many paid antivirus programs. Defender ATP also requires endpoints to update to the latest version before joining a network, thus increasing the network’s overall security.
While Microsoft may not be a full endpoint security platform, it still offers one of the best free antivirus solutions for businesses.
Key Features
- Threat and vulnerability management
- Endpoint detection and response
- Next-generation protection
- Centralized configuration and administration
- Attack surface reduction
- Automated investigation and remediation
- Integrated with Microsoft solutions
Finding the Right Endpoint Protection Platform for Your Business
While there’s no such thing as a perfect endpoint protection solution, there are still a lot of great options for strengthening your organization’s security.
We hope this list will give you a headstart in finding the right endpoint protection platform for your business.
Here at CR-T, we take pride in providing enterprise-level IT services at prices that work for small businesses. Our team of experts can become your IT support department, responding to issues quickly, often before you even know about them. Covering everything from your servers and network infrastructure to your computers, workstations and mobile devices, we provide end-to-end solutions for all your technology needs.
Time and experience have helped us develop best practices and workflow procedures designed to keep your focus on your business, not your technology.
