Antivirus (EPP) and EDR

Antivirus (EPP) and EDR

Antivirus (Endpoint Protection Platform – EPP) and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) are two essential cybersecurity solutions used to protect endpoint devices from malware and sophisticated cyber threats. While both aim to secure endpoint environments, they offer different capabilities and serve distinct purposes.

What is Antivirus (EPP)?

Antivirus software is designed to provide baseline protection against known malware such as viruses, worms, trojans, and spyware.

• Signature-Based Detection: Uses malware definitions and databases to identify and block known threats.
• Real-Time Scanning: Continuously scans files, downloads, and system activities to prevent infections.
• Automatic Quarantine and Removal: Identified threats are isolated or deleted automatically.
• Limited Threat Detection: Typically effective only against known threats and less capable of handling advanced attacks.

What is EDR?

EDR solutions provide advanced threat detection, in-depth visibility, and automated response capabilities.

• Behavioral Detection: Monitors endpoint activity to detect suspicious patterns and deviations.
• Real-Time Response: Instantly reacts to threats by isolating devices, terminating malicious processes, or triggering alerts.
• Forensics and Visibility: Records detailed logs of endpoint activity to support incident investigation.
• Threat Hunting: Allows analysts to proactively search for hidden threats and anomalies.
• Advanced Protection: Designed to combat zero-day exploits, fileless malware, and persistent threats.

EPP vs EDR: Key Differences

Why Combine EPP and EDR?

In today’s evolving threat landscape, relying solely on antivirus software is insufficient. A combination of EPP and EDR offers layered security—EPP for foundational protection and EDR for advanced detection and incident response. Together, they provide comprehensive endpoint security that is capable of countering both known and emerging threats.