EDR vs Antivirus: which one is better for my business?

When it comes to securing your business, understanding the distinction between EDR vs antivirus solutions is crucial. With cyber threats evolving, it’s no longer sufficient to rely on traditional antivirus software alone. Businesses need to evaluate more advanced solutions, like endpoint detection and response (EDR), to ensure comprehensive protection.

In this guide, we’ll explore the differences between EDR and antivirus, highlight their strengths and help you determine the best fit for your business.

What Is antivirus?

Antivirus software has been the cornerstone of cybersecurity for decades. It operates by scanning files and programs on your computer to detect and remove malware, viruses and other malicious threats. Most antivirus solutions use signature-based detection, meaning they rely on a database of known malware signatures to identify threats.

For businesses, antivirus tools are a first line of defence, offering basic protection against a wide range of threats. They’re cost-effective, easy to implement and work well for smaller organisations or those with limited IT resources.

How antivirus works:

Signature-based detection: Scans files and compares them against a database of known malware signatures.
Heuristic analysis: Some antivirus programs use heuristics to detect unknown threats by analysing file behaviour.
Real-time protection: Continuously monitors the system to prevent malware from being executed.

Limitations of antivirus:

While antivirus solutions offer foundational security, they have limitations. Signature-based detection can only protect against known threats, leaving your business vulnerable to zero-day attacks and sophisticated malware designed to bypass traditional defences.

What Is EDR (endpoint detection and response)?

Endpoint detection and response (EDR) is a more advanced cyber security solution that focuses on continuously monitoring and responding to threats at the endpoint level. Unlike antivirus, which primarily works by blocking known threats, EDR solutions are designed to detect, investigate and respond to more complex and previously unknown threats.

EDR systems collect and analyse data from endpoint devices in real-time. This allows them to identify suspicious activities that might indicate an ongoing attack, such as unusual file modifications, unauthorised access attempts or changes in system behaviour.

How EDR Works:

Continuous monitoring: EDR tools monitor endpoints in real-time to detect suspicious activities.
Behavioural analysis: Analyses endpoint behaviour to identify anomalies that may indicate an attack.
Threat hunting: Actively searches for potential threats and investigates incidents.
Automated response: Some EDR solutions include automated responses, such as isolating an affected device from the network.

Advantages of EDR:

Advanced threat detection: EDR can detect sophisticated threats that antivirus might miss.
Incident response: Provides the tools to investigate and respond to security incidents quickly.
Forensic capabilities: EDR systems can offer detailed insights into how an attack occurred, helping businesses strengthen their defences.

Endpoint detection and response vs antivirus: key differences

When comparing endpoint detection and response vs antivirus, the primary difference lies in the level of protection and the type of threats each solution targets.

Protection scope: Antivirus focuses on known malware, while EDR addresses a wider range of threats, including those that are unknown or emerging.
Detection methods: Antivirus relies heavily on signature-based detection, whereas EDR uses behavioural analysis and continuous monitoring to detect anomalies.
Response capabilities: EDR includes features for incident response, enabling businesses to investigate and mitigate threats in real-time. Antivirus typically lacks this capability.

Feature	Antivirus	EDR
Detection Method	Signature-based, Heuristics	Behavioural Analysis, Continuous Monitoring
Threat Scope	Known malware, viruses	Zero-day threats, advanced malware, insider threats
Response Capabilities	Basic (removal of detected malware)	Advanced (automated response, threat investigation)
Suitable for	Small to medium-sized businesses with basic needs	Businesses needing comprehensive, proactive security

What is the difference between antivirus and EDR?

Understanding the difference between antivirus and EDR is essential for businesses deciding which solution is more suitable for their security needs. The key differences include:

Threat Detection: Antivirus detects known threats, while EDR is equipped to handle unknown and evolving threats.
Monitoring: EDR offers real-time monitoring of endpoints, something antivirus generally lacks.
Response: EDR solutions often include advanced response mechanisms such as isolating compromised endpoints, which antivirus solutions do not typically offer.
Data Collection: EDR continuously collects data from endpoints, providing detailed insights into attacks, while antivirus generally does not.

Antivirus vs EDR: which is better for your business?

Deciding between antivirus vs EDR depends on your business’s specific security needs and resources. If your organisation is small, with minimal data security requirements, a good antivirus solution might be enough. However, as cyber threats become more advanced, antivirus solutions alone may no longer offer adequate protection.

For larger businesses or those handling sensitive information, EDR is often the better choice. Its ability to detect advanced threats, combined with real-time monitoring and robust response capabilities, makes it a valuable tool for mitigating risks.

Conclusion

Choosing between EDR vs antivirus ultimately depends on the specific security needs of your business. Antivirus software remains a vital tool for defending against known malware and viruses, providing essential baseline protection for many organisations. However, with the growing complexity of cyber threats, many businesses require more robust and proactive solutions.

Endpoint detection and response (EDR) offers the advanced capabilities necessary to detect and respond to sophisticated attacks that traditional antivirus might miss. Its continuous monitoring, behavioural analysis and incident response features provide an invaluable layer of security, especially for larger businesses or those dealing with sensitive data.

For organisations looking to stay ahead of evolving threats, investing in EDR, either as a standalone solution or in combination with antivirus software, is a wise choice. By partnering with a provider like EK, you can take advantage of expert-managed EDR services that ensure your business remains secure against even the most advanced cyber risks.

Secure your business today with EK’s Managed EDR services, and give your organisation the comprehensive protection it deserves.