Sophos Antivirus for Business
Antivirus solutions aren’t one size fits all. What works best for one business might not be the best option for another. There are several factors to consider when choosing the right antivirus software, from the number of employees to the industry and locations you operate.
Sophos Antivirus: A Prevention-First Approach
Sophos antivirus and endpoint security solutions use sophisticated technologies to block the broadest range of virus attacks. The behavioral engine secure against early stages of adversarial attacks with behavioral rules while the adaptive attack protection elevates sensitivity to prevent attacks. A separate critical attack warning alerts users to attacks requiring immediate incident response, with high-impact adversary indicators with org-level correlations and thresholds.
What kind of network threats does my business face?
Companies across the globe find themselves victims of cybercrimes every day. Criminals don’t discriminate when it comes to stealing your information, meaning businesses of all sizes are at risk. Let’s look at some of the specific network threats your organization might be susceptible to:
- Malware is a general term for software that is designed to damage your devices, steal confidential information, or even take over your system.
- Ransomware is a type of malware that accesses your information, locks you out, and then demands a ransom to get your data back.
- Spyware is a type of malware that tracks your activity and uses that information to steal sensitive data.
- Viruses are a type of malware that can damage your devices and even wipe out entire hard drives.
Viruses have been around for years, but not all cyberattacks are so well known. Criminals are constantly coming up with new ways to attack your data and devices. Each scam is more manipulative and cunning than the last. CEO fraud, for example, happens when cybercriminals pretend to be company executives to trick other employees into releasing sensitive information.
From data breaches to unauthorized access of financial accounts, all companies are at risk. No matter how big or small your business is, without the proper antivirus solutions in place, it’s only a matter of time before your organization falls victim to a cyberattack.
What types of antivirus protection are best for different business sizes?
There’s no question that your business needs antivirus protection. But as we mentioned earlier, not all antivirus software is created equal. How do you select the software that best meets your company’s needs?
Here are some things to consider when deciding what types of business antivirus protection to get for your large-, medium-, or small-size company.
Enterprise-level organization antivirus protection
While it’s true that businesses of all sizes are subject to cyberattacks, some have more to lose than others. The larger the company, the more they have to lose. That’s why it’s imperative that enterprise-level organizations have the proper forms of cyber protection in place.
You can’t just go with the largest and most expensive package available and call it a day, though. Price is certainly an important factor to consider, but keep in mind that just because an antivirus solution costs the most, that doesn’t mean it’s the best option for what your business needs.
For enterprise-level organizations, look for a cybersecurity solution that offers complete end-to-end protection. You need something that covers your hardware, cloud infrastructure, data, emails, IP information, and all devices on the network.
Another thing to consider is the possibility of an internal data breach. In 2021, 74% of organizations experienced malware activity that spread from one employee to another. Since large businesses have hundreds or even thousands of employees, there is a greater risk of employees spreading malware to their coworkers, either intentionally or by accident. Utilizing a business antivirus solution that catches phishing or CEO fraud attacks can cut down on this.
For the most advanced endpoint protection, consider implementing a next-generation antivirus (NGAV) solution for your large business. NGAV utilizes the most advanced forms of technology to protect your data and devices. This software deploys quickly, doesn’t slow down your devices, and is easy to maintain thanks to a cloud-based infrastructure.
Medium-sized business antivirus protection
Studies show medium-sized businesses are being hit with cyberattacks at a rapidly increasing rate. From 2020 to 2021, the number of attacks against midsize businesses jumped by at least 50%. This statistic could be attributed to multiple factors, one of those reasons being an increase in remote workers. Cybercriminals have stepped up their game when it comes to developing cloud-based attacks.
So what does it take to protect your end users and information if you’re the owner of a midsize business?
Look for a commercial antivirus solution that protects both your devices and your cloud network against multiple forms of malware. You also want a program that offers phishing prevention for email accounts. Data loss prevention and threat detection across all endpoints is critical as well, which is why NGAV isn’t just the perfect solution for enterprises –it’s recommended for many medium-sized businesses, too.
Small-business antivirus protection
Just because a business is small doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to lose after a cyberattack. The average cost of a data breach for a small business (one with fewer than 500 employees) is just under $3 million. Choosing the best antivirus solution for your small biz can help avoid this kind of devastation.
Securing your small business requires more than just protecting your laptops. Any device connected to your network—desktop computers, tablets, and mobile devices—can pose a risk if not properly protected. Look for a business antivirus solution that shields these devices from all major threats.
One way to be financially responsible when purchasing a cybersecurity package is to be selective when shopping for the bells and whistles of antivirus solutions. Not all small businesses have the same needs, and you don’t want to pay for features that aren’t beneficial to you.
On the other hand, you do want to pay for features that are needed to protect your users and devices. For example, if your business handles financial transactions, look for a security solution that offers plenty of browser and data security. Some other features to consider include a password manager, virtual private network (VPN), and spam management.
Are endpoint and antivirus protection the same?
It seems like there’s an infinite number of antivirus choices on the market these days, with new network security tools being released each day. Narrowing it down to find the right software for your needs can be challenging.
A common roadblock people run into is understanding the differences between antivirus programs and endpoint protection. It’s important to know what distinguishes one type of protection from the other so you can make the right choice for your business.
Antivirus programs are designed to detect and remove known forms of malware. This includes viruses, keyloggers, worms, and ransomware, but only ones that have previously been identified. Antivirus programs are not built to seek out or catalog new threats.
Antivirus programs are installed on devices and run periodic scans for malicious activity. Key features of antivirus protection include:
- Protection for one individual device
- Manual and real-time scanning
- Known threat identification
- Automatic updates
- Alerts and notifications
Antivirus protection is designed for both personal and commercial use.
Endpoint protection, on the other hand, is primarily geared toward businesses. Endpoint security solutions protect all devices in a network. Desktops, laptops, mobile devices, and servers are centrally managed through a cloud-based infrastructure, making it easy to monitor and maintain multiple endpoints from a single location.
Whereas traditional antivirus solutions must be installed on each individual device, endpoint protection can be deployed remotely. Key features of endpoint protection include:
- Protection for all devices in a network
- Data leak prevention
- Advanced persistent threat detection
- Cloud-based infrastructure
Sophos Antivirus Features
When it comes to choosing the best antivirus security, it’s important to look for products that protect your business in multiple ways. Learn more about some of the key features that will safeguard your employees, data, and devices against cyberthreats: