What is next generation antivirus and how does it work?

Introduction

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the need for robust cybersecurity solutions is more critical than ever. Traditional antivirus software, while effective at the time, now faces challenges in combating sophisticated and evolving cyber threats. Enter next-generation antivirus (NGAV), a new generation of cybersecurity technology that goes beyond traditional antivirus capabilities. In this article, we will explore the key differences between NGAV and traditional antivirus and understand how the former is shaping the future of cybersecurity defenses.

Traditional antivirus

Traditional antivirus software has been the cornerstone of cybersecurity for decades. Employs signature-based detection, drawing on a database of known malware signatures to identify and block malicious files. Traditional antivirus programs focus primarily on detecting and removing known threats, offering a basic level of protection against common malware.

Next generation antivirus

Next-generation antiviruses, on the other hand, take a more proactive and comprehensive approach to cybersecurity. NGAV/AEP leverages advanced technologies and techniques to address the limitations of traditional antivirus methods. Here are some of the key features that distinguish NGAV from traditional antivirus:

1. Behavior-based detection: NGAV uses behavior-based detection techniques to identify and block malware. Instead of relying solely on known signatures, it analyzes the behavior of applications and processes in real time, flagging suspicious activities that indicate a potential threat. This proactive approach helps detect and stop zero-day attacks and previously unknown malware.

2. Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence: NGAV incorporates machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms to improve the accuracy of threat detection. By continuously analyzing large amounts of data and patterns, NGAV systems can identify and adapt to new and emerging threats, even without prior knowledge of their signatures.

3. Endpoint Protection: NGAV goes beyond file-based malware detection and includes advanced endpoint protection capabilities. It focuses on protecting endpoints such as laptops, desktops, and mobile devices by monitoring network traffic, analyzing system behavior, and providing real-time threat prevention and response.

4. Advanced threat hunting and incident response: NGAV solutions often include proactive threat hunting and incident response capabilities. They enable security teams to actively search for threats within their systems, investigate potential security breaches, and respond quickly and effectively to mitigate the impact of an attack.

Benefits of next generation antivirus

The evolution of traditional antivirus to NGAV/AEP offers several benefits:

1. Improved Threat Detection: NGAV’s machine learning and behavioral detection capabilities improve the accuracy and effectiveness of threat detection, providing better protection against known and unknown threats.

2. Real-time response: NGAV’s ability to detect and respond to threats in real time helps minimize the window of opportunity for attackers, reducing the likelihood of successful breaches.

3. Adaptability and scalability: NGAV solutions can adapt to evolving threat landscapes, thanks to their advanced analytics and machine learning algorithms. They can scale to handle large, complex networks and protect a wide range of endpoints.

BlackBerry’s CylanceENDPOINT is a next-generation antivirus solution that utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning to proactively identify and neutralize threats. By analyzing patterns and behaviors rather than relying on traditional signature-based methods, CylanceENDPOINT offers superior protection against malware, ransomware, and other cyber threats. This advanced approach ensures robust security for your devices, enhancing overall system resilience and safeguarding critical data. Learn more.

Conclusion

As cyber threats continue to gain in sophistication, the need for more advanced cybersecurity defenses is becoming evident. Next-generation antivirus solutions offer a significant step forward over traditional antivirus software, providing behavioral detection, machine learning, advanced threat hunting, and incident response capabilities. By combining these features, NGAV solutions offer a proactive and comprehensive approach to cybersecurity, helping organizations stay one step ahead of emerging threats and protecting their critical data and systems in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

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