In today’s cybersecurity landscape, threats are more complex, persistent, and evasive than ever before. Traditional anti-virus (AV) and anti-malware solutions, once the gold standard for endpoint protection, are no longer enough. That’s where Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) comes in—a next-generation solution designed to detect, investigate, and respond to threats in real time. But what makes EDR different from the legacy software many businesses still rely on?
Traditional Anti-Virus: What It Does and Doesn’t Do
Traditional anti-virus software works by scanning files and comparing them against a database of known threats. It relies heavily on signature-based detection, meaning it can identify threats only if they’ve been seen and cataloged before. While effective against known malware, this approach falls short when facing:
- Zero-day threats;
- Fileless attacks;
- Advanced persistent threats (APTs); and,
- Polymorphic malware that changes its code to evade detection.
Most AV tools are reactive. They identify and block threats after a compromise has already begun. They also typically lack visibility beyond individual endpoints, limiting their usefulness in understanding attack vectors or preventing lateral movement within a network.
EDR: A Smarter, More Proactive Defense
- Real-Time Threat Detection
EDR tools use behavioral analysis and machine learning to catch threats as they unfold. - Incident Investigation and Response
Security teams can trace an attack’s origin, determine how it spread, and take steps to contain it—often automatically. - Forensics and Threat Hunting
EDR logs every activity on the endpoint, providing rich data for threat hunters and analysts. - Automated responses
EDR solutions can isolate infected machines, kill malicious processes, and initiate remediation workflows in real time.
Think of traditional anti-virus as a lock on your front door. EDR is more like a full security system with cameras, motion sensors, and a 24/7 monitoring center.
Why EDR Alone Isn’t Enough
EDR gives you powerful tools to detect and respond to threats—but it doesn’t necessarily tell you where your vulnerabilities are in the first place. That’s where a vulnerability assessment comes in.
How a Vulnerability Assessment from Gilliam Security Complements Your EDR Strategy
At Gilliam Security, we believe that a strong cyber defense starts with visibility. While EDR helps you respond to what’s already happening on your endpoints, a vulnerability assessment helps you get ahead of threats by identifying and eliminating weak spots before attackers can exploit them.
Our comprehensive vulnerability assessments provide:
- A detailed inventory of your exposed assets;
- Identification of outdated software, misconfigurations, and high-risk weaknesses;
- Actionable remediation guidance aligned with your business priorities; and,
- Insights into how vulnerabilities could be exploited in real-world attack scenarios.
Here’s how it works together:
- EDR detects threats; and,
- Gilliam Security shows you how to prevent them in the first place.
With our vulnerability assessments and your EDR platform working in tandem, your organization can stop playing defense and start building proactive, layered protection.