If you’ve looked into cybersecurity, you might have seen people discussing the differences between EDR and antivirus software. Or maybe you’ve never heard about EDR but know that antivirus software alone isn’t enough to protect your business. Either way, these FAQs about EDR vs. antivirus will demystify these forms of digital security so you can better understand what your Akron-based business needs to stay secure.
What is the Difference Between EDR vs. Antivirus Software?
In a nutshell, endpoint detection and response (EDR) software scans for new threats, and antivirus software scans for known threats.
EDR utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect suspicious behaviors, while antivirus software matches patterns to confirmed threats.
For businesses here in Akron, this means that EDR is able to protect you from new and unknown vulnerabilities, called zero day threats, by identifying potentially malicious activity. Antivirus, on the other hand, cannot guard against new threats.
What is an EDR Solution and Who Needs EDR?
EDR software proactively monitors physical devices — or, in cybersecurity terms, endpoints — for security threats and automatically executes actions to defend against those threats.
Endpoints are all physical devices that connect to a network and can include everything from cell phones and tablets to virtual machines and smart assistants. No matter how useful an endpoint is, it represents a potential point of entry for a hacker. EDR helps protect these devices from danger.
Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons of EDR:
Pros:
- Protects against new and unknown vulnerabilities
- Detects and remediates quickly
- Can guard against malicious code, not just programs
Cons:
- Costs more than antivirus
- Can require ongoing maintenance
- Needs support from an expert IT team (hint, hint)
What is Antivirus Software?
Antivirus software detects malicious software (malware) by checking potential threats against a database of known threats. If there’s a match, the antivirus software removes the malicious file(s).
Antivirus software has become ubiquitous because it’s easy to implement and protects against a variety of common cyberattacks. However, since antivirus works by comparing possible threats to known ones, it can’t protect against new vulnerabilities.
Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons of antivirus:
Pros:
- Inexpensive and easy to install
- Good for basic cyberattack protection
- Familiar to end users
Cons:
- Can’t protect against new and unknown threats
- Can consume significant resources and slow down networks
- Doesn’t provide lots of visibility into attacks
Do You Need Antivirus If You Have EDR?
You don’t necessarily need antivirus if you have EDR, but it depends on your cybersecurity tech stack. Antivirus is designed to block existing threats while EDR is designed to detect and remediate new threats.
With that in mind, if you’re a smaller business in the Akron area and have EDR implemented alongside other security programs, then antivirus might be redundant for you. However, if you want to make extra sure that you’re blocking as much as possible, you might benefit from having regular antivirus in tandem with EDR and other programs.
Why Is EDR Not Enough?
In today’s complex cybersecurity landscape, no one program is enough to provide complete protection. Cyberattacks are more diverse than ever before, requiring agile and adaptable protection strategies that can respond quickly to an ever-growing range of threats. That’s why it’s best to utilize a suite of cybersecurity programs working together to protect your Akron, Ohio business from data theft, financial loss, and more.
What Does EDR Offer That AV Does Not?
The main advantage of EDR over antivirus is its ability to proactively seek out and respond to new and unknown threats. EDR also offers more advanced monitoring than many traditional antivirus programs.
Which Is Better, EDR or Antivirus?
Neither EDR nor antivirus is better than the other in isolation. Some people will argue that EDR is better, but ultimately, EDR and antivirus are separate products with separate use cases – even though they’re commonly used together.
Whether you should use EDR, antivirus, or both depends on the specific needs of your Akron business. If you’re on the larger side of small business and process sensitive data often, then it makes sense to have one or both of these products. On the other hand, if you’re a solopreneur working from home, you might not need either. (Not sure what’s best for you? We can help.)
Common Use Cases for EDR for Businesses Across Northeast Ohio
Northeast Ohio businesses can use EDR for all kinds of cybersecurity protection, including:
- Quickly responding to and resolving incidents with minimal to no damage
- Protecting remote teams across geographic locations from attacks
- Hunting for threats that haven’t happened yet
Common Use Cases for Antivirus for Businesses Near Akron, Ohio
Some common applications of antivirus for Akron businesses include:
- Protecting employees from malware
- Scanning files and emails for viruses
- Blocking access to suspicious websites
Protect Your Northeast Ohio Business with the Right Cybersecurity Solution
It’s tricky to know what cybersecurity programs you need to keep your business safe from theft, loss, and risk. That’s why it’s ideal to have experts like Summit IT at your side who can safeguard your Northeast Ohio business and give you peace of mind. Schedule a free consultation today to take the first step toward securing your company!