Endpoint security insights from AV-Comparatives' EPR test

AV-Comparatives, the globally recognised authority in independent cybersecurity testing, has released its 2024 Endpoint Prevention and Response (EPR) Comparative Report, showcasing the exceptional performance of pioneering cybersecurity solutions.

The report evaluates the ability of these products to detect, prevent, and respond to advanced threats in real-world scenarios.

MITRE ATT&CK® framework

AV-Comparatives' rigorous assessment covered products from Bitdefender, Check Point, CrowdStrike, ESET, Kaspersky, Palo Alto Networks, and VIPRE, measuring each against a broad spectrum of complex attack vectors, such as PowerShell Empire, Metasploit Framework, and Commercial Attack Frameworks.

The testing utilised the MITRE ATT&CK® framework, ensuring that the results provide invaluable insights for organisations looking to bolster their endpoint security.

AV-Comparatvies' EPR Test

AV-Comparatvies' EPR Test is designed to evaluate the efficacy of these solutions in countering complex

Endpoint Protection Products (EPP), Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), and Extended Detection and Response (XDR) solutions are vital components of enterprise security, providing defences against targeted threats such as advanced persistent threats (APTs). 

AV-Comparatvies' Endpoint Prevention and Response (EPR) Test is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of these solutions in countering complex, multi-stage attacks that target an organisation's entire infrastructure.

Top performers (in alphabetical order)

• Bitdefender had strong detection and response capabilities, delivering consistent protection across various threat scenarios.
• Check Point demonstrated reliable and comprehensive threat prevention, proving its effectiveness in mitigating complex cyber risks.
• CrowdStrike delivered a strong performance, showing reliable threat detection and response capabilities, ensuring minimal disruption to operations.
• ESET provided well-rounded defense strategies, particularly effective in handling advanced and emerging threats.
• Kaspersky offered a robust set of protection tools, proving reliable in both the detection and prevention of targeted attacks.
• Palo Alto Networks delivered a solid performance, reinforcing its capabilities in proactive threat detection and security innovation.
• VIPRE delivered efficient protection, providing reliable defense mechanisms at a competitive cost.

These vendors achieved outstanding results by demonstrating their ability to protect against and respond to advanced persistent threats (APTs), ransomware, and other complex cyberattacks. This year's evaluation highlighted their continual evolution in response to the growing complexity of attack tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).

Comprehensive evaluation

The testing spanned several months, from June to August 2024, with products undergoing assessments in multiple phases, from Initial Access and Lateral Movement till Exfiltration and Impact. Each product was tested in real-world attack scenarios to simulate the high-stakes environments that enterprises face today.

AV-Comparatives emphasized the importance of these evaluations: "As cyberattacks grow more sophisticated, it is critical for organisations to rely on solutions that can offer not only prevention but also rapid and effective response capabilities. Our 2024 EPR report serves as a benchmark for IT professionals and cybersecurity analysts to assess and choose the most effective cybersecurity solutions."

Endpoint security solutions

AV-Comparatives EPR Test and MITRE Engenuity have their merits, each providing insights into endpoint security keys

The difference between AV-Comparatives' EPR Test and MITRE ATT&CK Engenuity. Both the AV-Comparatives EPR Test and MITRE Engenuity have their merits, each providing useful insights into endpoint security solutions.

Understanding the differences between these two tests is essential for IT managers, CISOs, and other tech-savvy professionals looking to select endpoint security solutions that will effectively protect their environments.

Key takeaways for CISOs and cybersecurity analysts

For CISOs and cybersecurity analysts, the 2024 EPR Comparative Report provides a data-driven perspective on the capabilities of pioneering vendors.

It offers an in-depth analysis of how each product performs under pressure, which is essential for making informed decisions about endpoint security investments. Given the evolving threat landscape, selecting the right EPR solution can significantly reduce the risk of breaches and improve overall incident response.