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Thursday, November 7, 2024

Top Endpoint Security Solutions to Protect Your Business

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Explore the best endpoint security products of 2024 to safeguard your organization. Compare features, pricing, and user ratings for effective cybersecurity.

Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting the devices that power business operations. Now, securing these endpoints-laptops, desktops, smartphones, and servers-isn’t an option but has become a top priority. Did you know that in 2023 alone, 68% of organizations had at least one endpoint attack, resulting in compromised data or IT infrastructure? Such a figure brings into perspective the dire need for advanced endpoint security products to detect, prevent, and defeat cyber threats at every entry point.

The following article covers the best endpoint security products in 2024, with comprehensive comparisons detailing features, pricing models, and user ratings. We will dive into top recommendations, explain how to choose the most suitable product for your organization and address users’ common questions to fortify your defenses against the evolving landscape of cyber threats.

Understanding Endpoint Security Products

Endpoint security products represent highly developed software solutions intended to protect individual devices from a wide range of cyber threats, such as malware, ransomware, and APTs. These solutions generally combine several security technologies, such as antivirus, firewall, data encryption, and behavior analysis, for comprehensive protection.

According to IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report, the average cost of a data breach now stands at $4.88 million. This statistic speaks volumes about the monetary implications of not being properly equipped to protect endpoints. As a result, endpoint security has become a growing concern in the modern business landscape, with wide-open attack surfaces resulting from remote work and cloud services.

Also Read: Beware of Juice Jacking: Protecting Your Devices

The Need for Endpoint Security

With the dynamics of the digital world changing daily, cybercriminals’ tactics also change, and that’s why robust endpoint security is an area of cybersecurity that cannot be compromised in any strategy.

A number of critical factors underpin the need for robust endpoint security:

  • The proliferation of endpoints: More employees work remotely, and most adopt the BYOD culture. This means each organization now deals with many more endpoints than ever before. Each of these devices presents a potential entry point for a cyber attack and all have to be protected.
  • The sophistication of Cyber Threats: Cybercriminals do not stop working out new tactics and developing subtle methods for breaching corporate networks. Endpoint security products, in turn, should keep pace with such threats by offering proactive protection against known and unknown vulnerabilities in an organization’s environment.
  • Data Protection and Compliance: Stringent regulations regarding personal data protection include heavy fines as a consequence of data breaches, such as GDPR and CCPA. Endpoint security is very instrumental in protecting such sensitive information and, consequently, helping organizations comply with these regulations.
  • Shift to Remote Work: The transition to remote working has conspired, alongside other changes, to erode that network perimeter so dear to security managers, greatly complicating the task of securing corporate assets. Endpoint security products offer a vital layer of protection for devices being used outside the boundaries of the traditional office segment.
  • The Cost of Cybercrime: Cybercrime comes with a huge financial cost. According to IBM, the average cost of a data breach reached $4.88 million in 2024. Robust endpoint security can significantly lower this risk and protect an organization’s bottom line.

Top 8 Endpoint Security Products of 2024

In our exploration of the top endpoint security products in 2024, each solution offers different features and capabilities. Below is a deep review that will give you an insight into making an informed decision about your organization’s security needs.

CrowdStrike Falcon

Falcon by CrowdStrike is a cloud-native product. It’s a next-gen antivirus, in a way—it combines endpoint detection and response capabilities with threat intelligence into one package for organizations of all sizes.

Features:

  • Seamless deployment: Cloud deployment and cloud-based solution architecture remove the need for on-premises infrastructure.
  • Real-time threat intelligence powered by crowdsourced data: It collects data from millions of endpoints globally, giving up-to-date threat intelligence and proactive protection in real-time.
  • Behavioral analytics in detecting sophisticated attacks: Through machine learning and AI, it analyzes the endpoint’s behavior to analyze anomalies that are associated with potential sophisticated threats.
  • Proactive discovery: Threat hunting provides security teams with point-in-time tools, within which their proactive search for unknown threats and network-related vulnerabilities can be revealed.
  • Integrated threat intelligence and vulnerability management: Aggregates threat intelligence and vulnerability scan into prioritizing and remedying large security gaps.

Pros and Cons:

Pros Cons
Excellent threat detection capabilities Higher pricing compared to some competitors
User-friendly interface May require additional modules for complete protection
Lightweight agent with minimal performance impact Complex configuration options for advanced features
Strong threat intelligence integration Steep learning curve for full platform utilization

Pricing:

The pricing starts at a tiered $99.99/ endpoint per year but offers some custom enterprise pricing for big organizations.

Ratings:

  • G2: 4.7/5
  • Gartner: 4.8/5
  • Peerspot: 4.6/5
  • Capterra: 4.7/5

Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business

Under this hybrid platform, Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business offers layered protection against threats, along with further developed central management capabilities and advanced technologies.

Features:

  • Next-Generation Anti-Malware Engine: This maintains the widest scopes of threats and prohibits them through heuristic and behavioral analysis.
  • Exploit Prevention and Rollback: Prevent exploits, and they can roll back the malicious action toward a safe state.
  • EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response): Endpoint detection, analysis, and remediation of advanced threats.
  • Cloud-Augmented Threat Intelligence: It is based on global threat intelligence for improved detection.
  • Centralized Security Management: This would be a single centralized console managing security across all endpoints.

Pros and Cons:

Pros Cons
Strong malware detection capabilities Political concerns in some regions
Comprehensive endpoint management features Advanced features may require staff training
Good value for the feature set Some features require additional products
Extensive threat intelligence network Console navigation can be challenging for new users

Pricing:

Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business costs $539.00 per 10 nodes per year, but the company offers custom pricing for more widespread deployments.

Ratings:

  • G2: 4.5/5
  • Gartner Peer Insights: 4.5/5
  • Peerspot: 4.4/5
  • Capterra: 4.5/5

Also Read: Gamers Beware: Popular Games Targeting You with Malware 

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is a security solution by Microsoft aimed at enterprises. It detects, investigates, and remedies advanced threats across the network and multiple endpoints within an organization.

Features:

  • Cloud-based protection: Leverages Microsoft’s global infrastructure to provide real-time security against emerging threats – powered by Microsoft’s own threat intelligence.
  • Threat and vulnerability management capabilities: It detects, prioritizes, and categorizes known threats and misconfigurations on the endpoints based on their vulnerabilities.
  • Automated detection and response: Automates detection and response processes related to threats to reduce labor-intensive activities and increase efficiency.
  • Advanced hunting for proactive threat detection: This allows the security teams to be able to proactively hunt for threats in a query-based approach.
  • Integrates well with other Microsoft security products: Synchronizes well with Microsoft 365 and Azure services for that all-in-one, integrated security system.

Pros and Cons:

Pros Cons
Seamless integration with Windows ecosystems Limited support for non-Windows environments
Strong threat intelligence and analytics Some advanced features require additional licensing
Built-in automated response capabilities May require expertise for full feature utilization
Cost-effective for organizations using Microsoft products Reporting capabilities may be limited compared to competitors

Pricing:

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is available with a Microsoft 365 E5 license or as a standalone product. Organizations must contact the team to get a pricing quote.

Rating:

  • G2: 4.4/5
  • Gartner: 4.5/5
  • Peerspot: 4.0/5
  • Capterra: 4.6/5

SentinelOne

SentinelOne’s Singularity™ Cloud Security offers next-generation endpoint protection, using AI and machine learning to secure laptops, desktops, and mobile devices. It will provide automatic prevention, detection, and response against cyber threats, ensuring protection for every organizational endpoint.

Key Features of SentinelOne Singularityâ„¢ Cloud:

  • AI-Powered Threat Detection and Response: It uses machine learning to identify and remove endpoint threats in real time, whether ransomware or zero-day attacks. This immediately recognizes malware to minimize the risk of a breach before significant damage can be caused.
  • Autonomous Endpoint Response: Singularityâ„¢ Cloud Security immediately automates endpoint threat response through containment and remediation of attacks within seconds, with zero human involvement. It reduces response time because it contains the attack to reduce the attack surface, thus minimizing the impact an attack can pose. This enables security teams to focus on higher-order activities rather than manually managing incidents.
  • Centralized Endpoint Management: It provides a single console for managing all endpoint security, whereby admins can see the status of devices, apply security policies, and review reports from one dashboard. This simplifies endpoint management across both cloud and on-premises environments.
  • Cloud Workload Security: Singularityâ„¢ offers cloud workload security, extending protection to endpoints interacting with the cloud. Endpoint protection against ransomware threats, fileless attacks, and zero-day attacks secures all of your endpoints in the cloud and on-premises against next-generation threats.
  • Endpoint Data Security: Singularityâ„¢ Platform offers AI-managed data security to keep the endpoint data secure from threats like malware and unauthorized access. Thus, automation, quarantining, and encryption of malicious files protect sensitive data across all connected devices.

Core Problems That SentinelOne Eliminates:

  • Zero-Day Threats: SentinelOne, driven by its AI-powered approach, also has the power to hunt down and neutralize previously unknown threats against organizations that may have a weakness in zero-day vulnerabilities.
  • Manual Threat Containment: SentinelOne automates threat detection and remediation, freeing the security team to work on strategic initiatives rather than take the time required for manual interventions.
  • Unifying Security Management: The unified console makes security operations all that much simpler. It cuts down on the complexity associated with keeping track of several different security tools out there and generally raises efficiency.
  • Limited Visibility: Provides deep visibility into endpoint activities and thus enables the organization to understand and fix all the potential security gaps across the network.

Pricing:

SentinelOne offers flexible pricing, which is increasingly aligned with organizational demands. Request for pricing to get a quote tailored to your organization’s needs.

Sophos Intercept X

Sophos Intercept X is an advanced endpoint protection solution that provides organizations with anti-exploit, anti-ransomware, deep learning malware detection, and comprehensive security.

Features:

  • Deep learning malware detection: It uses neural networks, which detect and block malware without depending on signature-based detection methods.
  • Exploit Prevention: Inhibits the method used in exploitation by identifying before the exploit can execute.
  • Active Adversary Mitigation: It detects and prevents hostile behaviors, which could be the activities of an active adversary.
  • Ransomware Protection: The product features CryptoGuard which prevents unauthorized encryption of files.
  • Root Cause Analysis: Offers detailed insights about how an attack occurred, helping to prevent future incidents.

Pros and Cons:

Pros Cons
Strong ransomware protection Some features require Sophos Central management
User-friendly interface EDR capabilities require additional licensing
Excellent exploit prevention capabilities May impact system performance during scans
Good integration with other Sophos products Limited customization options for some policies

Pricing:

Sophos Intercept X has different pricing plans, from $28 to $79 per user per year. Based on the level of protection and features desired, they offer a few different options.

Rating:

  • G2: 4.5/5
  • Gartner Peer Insights: 4.5/5
  • Peerspot: 4.4/5
  • Capterra: 4.5/5

Also Read: 6 Hot Cybersecurity Trends—and 2 That Are Cooling Down

Symantec Endpoint Security

Owned by Broadcom, Symantec Endpoint Security combines machine learning, behavioral analysis, and threat intelligence among the bundles of endpoint protection capabilities.

Features:

  • Advanced Machine Learning:  It uses sophisticated algorithms that enhance the identification and blocking capabilities of known as well as unknown malware using advanced threat detection.
  • Integrated Endpoint Detection and Response: This allows for discovering, investigating, and responding to advanced threats on endpoints.
  • Device Control And Application Control Capabilities: It enables policies that govern access to devices and, at the same time, allows it to regulate applications in order to limit security risks.
  • Network Firewall and Intrusion Prevention: This prevents intrusion at the network level with monitoring and blocking of suspicious network traffic.
  • Mobile threat defense integration: This extends the protection to mobile devices for countering mobile-specific threats and vulnerabilities.

Pros and Cons:

Pros Cons
Robust threat protection capabilities Resource-intensive on some systems
Strong integration with other Symantec products The complex management console for some users
Comprehensive endpoint control features Higher pricing for the full feature set
Extensive threat intelligence network May require professional services for optimal configuration

Pricing:

Pricing can be requested as per the organizational needs.

Ratings:

  • G2: 4.4/5
  • Gartner: 4.3/5
  • Peerspot: 4.4/5
  • Capterra: 4.4/5

Trend Micro Vision One

This release of Trend Micro Vision One includes an advanced threat detection and response system to complement the all-in-one endpoint security it delivers through just one agent.

Features:

  • XGen Security: XGen Security has several detection approaches comprising state-of-the-art machine learning technology and behavioral analytics for smarter detection.
  • Virtual Patching: Virtual patching addresses vulnerabilities until official patches are released, thereby protecting the more valid endpoints from known and unknown vulnerabilities.
  • Connected Threat Defense with Enhanced Visibility: Integrates with Trend Micro’s other solutions to enable the sharing of threat intelligence and strengthen the overall security stance.
  • EDR Capabilities: Offers endpoint detection and response capabilities to properly detect and contain advanced threats at endpoint levels.
  • Cloud-based Console: Central management and report viewing can be done using a cloud-based console that helps make managing easy.

Pros and Cons:

Pros Cons
Strong malware detection rates Can be resource-intensive on some systems
Comprehensive feature set Complex deployment for large environments
Excellent virtual patching capabilities Some advanced features require additional licensing
Good integration with other Trend Micro products The reporting interface may be less intuitive for some users

Pricing:

Trend Micro Vision One requests organizations for their requirements to tailor a quote accordingly per user or device.

Ratings:

  • G2: 4.7/5
  • Gartner Peer Insights: 4.7/5
  • Peerspot: 4.0/5
  • Capterra: 4.4/5

VMware Carbon Black Cloud

The VMware Carbon Black Cloud combines next-generation antivirus, endpoint detection, and response alongside threat hunting in a single place through a cloud-native endpoint protection platform.

Features:

  • Streaming Prevention for Real-Time Threat Protection: Endpoint activities are continuously monitored proactively to rapidly detect and prevent threats in real-time.
  • Behavioral EDR for Advanced Threat Detection: Behavioral EDR detects malicious behavior, which may evade other traditional forms of protection.
  • Enterprise EDR for Threat Hunting and Incident Response: Advanced security tools for investigation and incident response for the security teams.
  • Application Control for Advanced System Securing: This controls the running of applications, thus eliminating execution in a system of unwanted software.
  • Cloud-Native Architecture: Easier and more seamless to deploy and scale across various environments.

Pros and Cons:

Pros Cons
Strong EDR capabilities Higher pricing compared to some competitors
User-friendly interface Some advanced features require additional modules
Excellent visibility into endpoint activities Can be resource-intensive on older systems
Good integration with the VMware ecosystem May require professional services for optimal configuration

Pricing:

VMware Carbon Black Cloud is priced starting from $52.99 / endpoint/year, and also can be customized based on the number of users or devices.

Rating:

  • G2: 4.3/5
  • Gartner Peer Insights: 4.5/5
  • Peerspot: 4/5
  • Capterra: 5/5

Also Read: Fortress Fallacy: Why Your Network Security Needs a Zero Trust Makeover

Endpoint Security Product Guide: How to Choose the Right Solution

Choosing the appropriate endpoint security product for your organization can be an important but tricky decision that has a far-reaching impact on your overall cybersecurity security posture. That being said, here is a complete guide to making a wise decision:

  1. Assess Your Organization’s Needs: The first step in choosing an ideal solution requires evaluating your organization’s specific security needs. Considerations should include the size of your business, types of endpoints, industry-specific compliance requirements, and current security infrastructure. This will help you rank in order the most important features and capabilities.
  2. Analyze Major Features: Look for endpoint security products with a broad feature set to meet your needs. When evaluating, consider the following key features:
    • Advanced threat detection and prevention: AI with machine learning for the identification of threats.
    • EDR or Endpoint Detection and Response: It is an important feature that endpoint security products must have. It is also used in threat hunting and investigation.
    • Real-time threat intelligence integration: This is what has continued to help them in staying abreast of emerging threats.
    • Automated Response and Remediation: This automates the neutralization of threats without involving humans.
    • Centralized Management and Reporting: This will provide visibility across the board with oversight review and compliance reporting.

Select a solution that can give your business a balanced mix of proactive protection, detection, and response.

  1. Consider scalability and flexibility: Consider a scalable solution that could grow with your organization. Probably, most of the cloud-based endpoint security products are more scalable and flexible than others. You would then easily add or remove endpoints as your business changes. Select a solution that fits a variety of operating systems and device types.
  2. Performance analysis: An endpoint security solution should not have a drastic effect on system performance while offering the full advantages of robust protection. Seek lightweight agents and resource optimization. A product might facilitate its evaluation in terms of expected performance impact.
  3. Ease of Deployment and Management: The ease of the deployment process and ongoing management will lead to significant savings in the Total Cost of Ownership. Products that make the deployment process easy, have user-friendly management consoles, and provide path facilities for automatic updates have passed this test. Centralized management abilities can simplify the administration of large or distributed environments.
  4. Threat Intelligence Capabilities Review: Effective endpoint security depends on the current threat intelligence. Analyze both in terms of quality and the breadth of each vendor’s threat intelligence network. Solutions that rely on machine learning and AI for analyzing global data can offer much better protection.
  5. Research reporting and analytics capabilities: Considering that achieving such an understanding of posture and compliance is therefore so important, find solutions that can offer extensive reporting and analytics through customizable dashboards, event logs, and compliance-specific reports.
  6. Consider Integration Capability: Ensure that all other elements of your security infrastructure integrate flawlessly with your endpoint security. Experience how each product integrates with SIEMs, identity access management solutions, or other security tools.
  7. Vendor Support and Resources: Compare the support and resources each vendor offers. The solution provider should provide deep documentation, rapid customer support, and access to threat research and best practices. Providers with ample training and certification programs will better help your teams extract maximum ROI from the solution.
  8. Total Cost of Ownership Analysis: While the price when purchasing is applicable, determine how much it will cost to own over a period of time. In addition to the licensing fees, consider needed hardware costs, training of the staff, and other ongoing maintenance costs. The solutions may be more costly upfront yet provide long-term savings because of reduced management overhead or even better protection.

Conclusion

In summary, as threats become more advanced and more frequent, endpoint security solutions must be available at the core of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy of an organization. The solutions reviewed above are some of the best endpoint security products available in 2024. While choosing the right endpoint security product, a business must take into consideration a wide range of specifics, whether about scalability, performance impact, ease of management, and integration capabilities.

The bottom line is that an ideal endpoint security product must suit your organization and infrastructure. Do make the best use of free trials and demos by vendors so you get a hands-on test on how each solution will perform in your environment. In the end, you must take a step now to elevate your organizational security stance.

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