I've seen a lot of small businesses make mistakes when it comes to protecting their networks and devices from cyber threats. One of the biggest mistakes I see is businesses relying solely on traditional antivirus software to protect their systems. While antivirus software is a great first line of defense, it's simply not enough in today's constantly evolving threat landscape. That's why I believe that every business should consider incorporating Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) into their security strategy.
So, what exactly is EDR and why is it better than traditional antivirus software? Let me break it down for you..
Traditional antivirus software is designed to identify and prevent known malware from infecting your systems. It works by comparing files on your devices to a database of known malware and blocking any matches it finds. The problem with this approach is that new malware is created every day, and it takes time for antivirus software to add it to their database and update their software to protect against it.
EDR, on the other hand, takes a more proactive approach to security. Instead of just looking for known malware, EDR monitors your systems for suspicious activity and behavior. For example, if a file on your device starts communicating with a suspicious IP address or if a user account suddenly starts sending large amounts of data, EDR will flag it and alert you. This allows you to quickly respond to potential threats and prevent them from doing serious harm to your network.
Another reason why I believe that EDR is so important is because it provides a much more comprehensive view of your network's security. With traditional antivirus software, you only know about the threats that it has detected and blocked. But what about the threats that have made it past your antivirus software and are currently hiding on your devices? EDR gives you a complete picture of what's happening on your network, so you can make informed decisions about how to protect it.
Now, I know what you might be thinking - "EDR sounds great, but it must be expensive and difficult to implement." And while it's true that EDR is more complex than traditional antivirus software, the cost and implementation process has come down significantly in recent years. With the right provider, you can get a top-notch EDR solution for your small business that won't break the bank.
So, if you're still relying on traditional antivirus software to protect your small business, I encourage you to reconsider. With the constantly evolving threat landscape, it's more important than ever to have a comprehensive security solution in place, and EDR is the perfect solution.
