Did you know that 91% of organizations reported at least one cyber incident or breach last year, according to the Deloitte 2023 Global Future of Cyber Survey? As cybercriminals develop increasingly sophisticated methods, relying on traditional antivirus solutions is no longer enough. This alarming statistic underscores the growing need for advanced security solutions that not only block known threats but also detect and respond to emerging ones. Two of the most cutting-edge technologies in this space are Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and Next-Generation Antivirus (NGAV).
Both EDR and NGAV are crucial components of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, but they offer distinct approaches. While NGAV focuses on proactively preventing attacks using AI and machine learning, EDR is designed to monitor, detect, and respond to threats that have already infiltrated the system. Understanding the unique roles of these technologies can help organizations make better decisions about their cybersecurity defenses.
In this post, we’ll explore the critical differences between EDR and NGAV. We’ll break down how each works and discuss the specific threats they address. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of how these tools can complement each other to form a robust defense against modern cybersecurity threats. This post will empower you to make informed decisions about your endpoint protection strategy.
What Is EDR?
EDR, or Endpoint Detection and Response, is a security technology that focuses on detecting and responding to threats at the endpoint level. Endpoints include devices like desktops, laptops, servers, and mobile devices. Basically, any computing device that connects to a network. EDR solutions continuously monitor these devices for suspicious activities, collect data, and analyze it to identify potential security incidents.
The primary aim of EDR is to provide security teams with deep visibility into what is happening on endpoints. This enables them to detect and mitigate threats in real-time. EDR tools typically come with automated responses to limit the damage caused by a detected threat, such as quarantining infected endpoints, blocking malicious processes, or preventing the further spread of malware.
Key features of EDR
- Real-Time Endpoint Monitoring: EDR tools collect data continuously from endpoints, analyzing behavior and actions to detect anomalies that may indicate a security threat.
- Threat Hunting: EDR enables proactive threat hunting, where security teams can manually search for hidden or dormant threats by analyzing endpoint behavior and historical data.
- Incident Response: Once EDR detects a threat, EDR tools provide automated and manual remediation options, such as isolating an endpoint, rolling back malicious changes, or deleting suspicious files.
- Forensic Capabilities: EDR platforms provide detailed logs and insights. This makes it easier for security teams to perform forensic analysis on past incidents, track the root cause, and improve future defenses.
- Behavioral Analysis: Instead of relying solely on signatures (which only work for known malware), EDR solutions use behavioral analysis to detect abnormal patterns and actions. This makes them more effective against unknown and zero-day threats.
What Is NGAV?
Next-Generation Antivirus, or NGAV, is an advanced version of traditional antivirus software that incorporates machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and prevent threats. Unlike legacy antivirus solutions, which rely on signature-based detection to identify known malware, NGAV uses advanced technologies to detect both known and unknown threats, including fileless malware, ransomware, and zero-day vulnerabilities.
Key Features of NGAV
- Signature-less Detection: NGAV is not limited by signature databases like traditional antivirus solutions. Instead, it uses machine learning models to detect suspicious behavior, making it more effective at identifying new and unknown malware strains.
- Behavioral and Heuristic Analysis: NGAV examines the behavior of applications and processes on a system. If it detects an anomaly or abnormal behavior, it can stop the process before the malware executes.
- Cloud-Based Threat Intelligence: NGAV solutions often use cloud-based threat intelligence systems to update their detection models in real time. This helps the system stay up to date with the latest threat data, ensuring quick detection of emerging threats.
- Zero-Day Attack Prevention: NGAV is designed to stop attacks before they even begin, making it particularly effective against zero-day vulnerabilities. These are exploits that have not been publicly disclosed or patched by the vendor, making them extremely dangerous to unprotected systems.
- Ransomware and Fileless Malware Protection: NGAV excels at preventing fileless attacks (malware that operates in memory and never writes itself to disk) and ransomware by monitoring and blocking suspicious behaviors associated with these types of attacks.
Differences Between EDR vs NGAV
While both EDR and NGAV are integral parts of a robust cybersecurity strategy, they differ significantly in terms of their functions and use cases. Understanding these differences can help organizations choose the right tool for their security needs or, better yet, understand how to use both in tandem for optimal protection.
Threat Detection and Approach
NGAV primarily focuses on preventing attacks before they occur. It uses AI and ML models to scan files and processes for malicious activity, stopping threats before they can execute. NGAV is highly effective at defending against known threats as well as zero-day vulnerabilities.
EDR, on the other hand, focuses on detecting and responding to threats that have already infiltrated the system. While NGAV is your first line of defense, EDR acts as a secondary layer that continuously monitors for any suspicious activity that may have bypassed initial defenses.
Scope of Protection
NGAV offers pre-execution protection. Meaning it stops threats before they can execute on your system. It excels at preventing malware, ransomware, and fileless attacks.
EDR provides post-execution monitoring and analysis. It identifies, isolates, and mitigates threats that NGAV or other preventive measures failed to stop. EDR also gives you deep insights into the behavior of malicious software or malware. It provides valuable information for remediation and future prevention.
Data Collection and Forensic Capabilities
EDR is known for its extensive data collection capabilities. It gathers large amounts of telemetry data from endpoints, which can be used for detailed forensic analysis. This data allows security teams to trace the attack’s origin, identify how it spread, and understand the malware’s behavior.
NGAV, while effective at stopping threats, does not typically offer the same level of data collection or forensic analysis. Its role is primarily preventive, so it lacks the detailed logs and telemetry data that EDR provides.
Ease of Use and Management
NGAV solutions are generally easier to deploy and manage. Once set up, NGAV operates autonomously. This makes it a great option for smaller organizations or those without a dedicated cybersecurity team. The AI-driven models and real-time threat intelligence allow NGAV to continuously improve its detection capabilities without manual intervention.
EDR, however, often requires more resources and expertise to manage effectively. EDR tools generate large volumes of data, which need to be analyzed by skilled professionals to make the most of the platform’s threat detection and incident response capabilities. This makes EDR more suitable for organizations with a dedicated IT security team.
EDR vs NGAV: 9 Critical Differences
| Feature | EDR | NGAV |
| Primary Focus | Post-execution threat detection & response | Pre-execution threat prevention |
| Technology | Behavioral analysis, real-time monitoring | AI, machine learning, behavioral analysis |
| Response | Automatic responses, threat hunting | Prevention only, limited response |
| Threat Coverage | Advanced threats, fileless malware, APTs | Known, unknown, zero-day threats |
| Ease of Use | Requires expert knowledge, ongoing management | Generally easier to manage |
| Data Collection | Extensive endpoint data collection | Minimal data collection |
| Use Case | Best for larger organizations with security teams | Suitable for smaller organizations |
| Incident Remediation | Yes, isolates infected endpoints | No, focuses on the prevention |
| Forensic Capabilities | Detailed forensic analysis | Limited forensic data |
EDR vs NGAV: Which to Choose?
When deciding between EDR and NGAV, the choice depends largely on the specific needs and resources of your organization. Below are some scenarios that may help guide your decision-making process.
Use Cases for NGAV
- Small to medium-sized businesses that need strong, automated malware protection but lack a dedicated cybersecurity team.
- Organizations that want an easy-to-manage solution with minimal intervention required after deployment.
- Businesses seeking pre-execution protection to prevent zero-day vulnerabilities, ransomware, and fileless malware.
- Companies in industries with low to moderate risk profiles, where the likelihood of advanced, persistent threats is low.
Use Cases for EDR
- Large enterprises with dedicated security teams that can actively monitor and manage the platform.
- Organizations facing advanced, persistent threats, such as financial institutions or healthcare providers, where post-execution monitoring is critical.
- Businesses that need detailed forensic capabilities for post-incident investigations.
- Companies that require real-time incident response to contain threats and limit damage as soon as an attack is detected.
Wrapping Up: SentinelOne’s NGAV + EDR Solution
Choosing between NGAV vs EDR comes down to understanding your organization’s specific security needs. While NGAV is excellent at proactively stopping known threats and leveraging AI to detect zero-day attacks, EDR offers deeper insights and responses to advanced threats that have already bypassed initial defenses. For companies aiming to prevent attacks, NGAV serves as the first line of defense. However, for those requiring robust detection, analysis, and incident response capabilities, EDR becomes indispensable.
The most comprehensive approach often involves combining the strengths of both NGAV and EDR. You create a layered security strategy that protects against a wide range of threats—both external and internal. Ultimately, implementing the right mix of tools ensures your organization is better equipped to manage evolving cyber threats. This provides protection not only against what’s known but also against what’s lurking on the horizon. By integrating both solutions, businesses can achieve a more resilient, adaptive cybersecurity posture that prepares them for the complex challenges of today and tomorrow.
Looking for a solution that combines the power of NGAV with the advanced capabilities of EDR? SentinelOne offers a unified, AI-powered platform that delivers both proactive prevention and deep forensic response. Protect your endpoints with cutting-edge security—explore SentinelOne’s NGAV + EDR solution today.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between Next-Gen AV and EDR?
Next-Gen AV (NGAV) uses AI and machine learning to detect and prevent malware before it can execute, while EDR focuses on detecting and responding to threats that have already bypassed preventive defenses.
2. Can EDR replace NGAV or vice versa?
No, EDR and NGAV serve different purposes and are most effective when used together. NGAV focuses on preventing attacks from entering a system, while EDR helps detect, analyze, and respond to threats that manage to bypass initial defenses. For comprehensive security, organizations typically deploy both solutions in tandem.
3. Do I need both NGAV and EDR?
Yes, using both NGAV and EDR provides a multilayered defense strategy. NGAV prevents threats before they execute, while EDR detects and responds to advanced threats that slip through initial defenses.
4. Can NGAV replace traditional antivirus?
Yes, NGAV is designed to be more effective than traditional antivirus solutions, using advanced techniques like behavioral analysis and machine learning to detect both known and unknown threats.
5. What kind of threats does EDR detect?
EDR excels at detecting advanced threats like fileless malware, insider threats, and persistent attacks that may not be captured by traditional or next-gen antivirus solutions.