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Endpoint detection compared

We compare endpoint security products directly using real, major threats.

Endpoint Detection Compared

Welcome to the first edition of the Enterprise Advanced Security test that compares different endpoint security products directly. We look at how they handle the major threats that face all businesses, from the Global 100, down to medium enterprises. And most likely small businesses, too.

Choose the best enterprise endpoint security solution

We give an overall score but also dig down into the details that your security team will care about. This report explains the different levels of coverage that these products provide.

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Cyber Security DE:CODED – Testing like hackers

“When it’s not a pay-to-play test that’s behind the curtain…”

Show notes for series 2, episode 3

What does it mean to test like a hacker? Can a well-intentioned tester behave the same as a real cybercriminal?

When you’re looking for a good security test, how can you tell the useful from the misleading?

Our email accounts sit at the centre of our digital lives. We look at ways to bullet-proof your most important internet account.

We discuss these questions, and more, with Frank Duff (ex-MITRE, now Tidal Cyber), Mike Sentonas (CrowdStrike) and Siggi Stefnisson (Avast).

Security Life Hack from Daniel Cuthbert!

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Mac anti-virus

All you need to know about anti-virus on the Mac.

At SE Labs we are often asked, “which is the best anti-virus for the Mac?” And, “do you need anti-malware for MacBooks?” For reasons we’ll explain, we’ve not published an endpoint security report for Mac-based products (yet).

But we do have an insight into how Mac threats work and how Apple tries to protect users. In this article we cover everything you need to know.

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Endpoint Detection and Response is more than anti-virus

Understand cybersecurity testing with visible threat intelligence.

EDR is more than antivirus

An Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) product is more than anti-virus, which is why it requires advanced testing. This means testers must behave like real attackers, following every step of an attack.

Intelligence-led testing

While it’s tempting to save time by taking shortcuts, a tester must go through an entire attack to truly understand the capabilities of EDR security products.

Each step of the attack must be realistic too. You can’t just make up what you think bad guys are doing and hope you’re right. This is why SE Labs tracks cybercriminal behaviour and builds tests based on how bad guys try to compromise victims.

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Anti-virus certification and ELAM

A route to accessing Windows Early Launch Antimalware (ELAM).

Anti-virus certification and ELAM

Anti-malware products monitor Microsoft Windows for malware. They try to notice when new, unwanted software runs, but some malware can be extra sneaky and hide. To get ahead of the game anti-malware products can start monitoring the system early, before other software applications start. The security software then watches as the various programs load during the Windows boot-up process.

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Cyber Security DE:CODED – Firewall speeds and VPN risks

“If they are not getting any money from you, then where are they getting the money from?”

Show notes for series 2, episode 2

Is your firewall as fast as you think? What does XDR mean and how does it work? Do you need a personal VPN?

We talk to Brian Monkman (NetSecOPEN), Chad Skipper (VMware), Luis Corrons (Avast) and Daniel Cuthbert.

This episode’s Security Life Hack from Dennis Batchelder (AppEsteem)!

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Scoring Email Security Services

How seriously do you take the email threat?

Cyber criminals often use email as a way to start an attack. According to many sources email is by far the most common way that attackers try to gain access to your business and personal systems.

The UK government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2022 reported that email phishing alone accounts for 83% of attacks.

Email cyber threat

But we all know that, don’t we? Because organisations, large and small, receive thousands of general and more targeted email threats every year.

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Cyber Security DE:CODED – Can Microsoft solve security?

“I have a PC… I like their delete key, which doesn’t exist on the Mac.”

Show notes for series 2, episode 1

Can Microsoft solve security? Do you need anti-virus on your smartphone? And are Macs more secure than PCs?

We ask Eugene Kaspersky (Kaspersky) and Christian Seifert (Microsoft).

This episode’s Security Life Hack from Mikko Hyppönen (WithSecure)!

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Security planning for normal people

The first security technique you should master!

Security planning for normal people

Security planning can make your life easier to manage. It’s easy to become paralysed when you consider all of the threats that exist and all of the possible solutions. You can’t buy every security product available and you certainly shouldn’t even try.

There are risks that we all face (let’s call those ‘general risks’) and risks that are quite specific to you (‘individual risks’).

Security planning for anyone, whether you are the CEO of a large enterprise or a retired amateur gardener, should take into account what risks you (specifically) face and the consequences of something bad actually happening.

General risks

In this article we’re going to focus on cybersecurity, but the principles apply to any area of your life. In the computing world there are three major threats that we all face:

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Security policies helping or interfering?

When security policies and security testing meet…

security policies

Security solutions can stop you getting things done. They can make mistakes, interpreting your actions as malicious. And then block your work. But they can also blindly follow security policies set by the IT department. Sometimes they do both! How can you predict which products will be most accurate after you buy them?

Custom security policies

Your business most likely doesn’t rely entirely on the detections and protections offered by security solutions. IT usually needs to make a least some configuration changes. Default settings should be good, but businesses commonly make their own adjustments. Every company has its own characteristics and one size definitely does not fit all.

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