Endpoint Security for Business: Protecting Devices and Users

Why traditional antivirus is no longer sufficient

A decade ago, antivirus software — pattern-matching against a database of known malware signatures — was the cornerstone of endpoint security. It still has a role, but the threat landscape has evolved beyond what signature-based detection can reliably address. Modern malware is designed to evade signature detection: it polymorphs (changes its code to avoid matching known signatures), lives in memory without writing to disk, abuses legitimate system tools (living-off-the-land attacks), and uses encrypted communications that basic scanners cannot inspect.

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) addresses this by continuously monitoring endpoint behaviour — process creation, network connections, file modifications, registry changes — and using machine learning to identify patterns indicative of attack, regardless of whether the specific threat has a known signature.

What endpoint detection and response (EDR) does

EDR solutions monitor every endpoint continuously, recording a detailed stream of activity data. When the system detects suspicious behaviour — a document that spawns a command-line process, a script making unusual network connections, lateral movement between endpoints — it alerts the security team and, in many implementations, takes automated containment action.

Key EDR capabilities include:

• Behavioural detection: Identifying attack patterns from activity rather than file signatures
• Automated response: Isolating an endpoint from the network when a high-confidence threat is detected, preventing lateral movement
• Threat hunting: Allowing security analysts to search endpoint telemetry for indicators of compromise across the entire estate
• Forensic evidence: Retaining activity logs that allow reconstruction of an attack timeline for investigation and remediation

Leading EDR solutions for UK businesses

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium and Microsoft 365 E3/E5, Defender for Endpoint provides comprehensive EDR capabilities deeply integrated with Windows. For businesses already in the Microsoft ecosystem, it is often the most cost-effective choice. Plan 1 (Business Premium) provides core endpoint protection and attack surface reduction. Plan 2 (E5 or add-on) adds automated investigation and response, endpoint detection capabilities and advanced threat hunting.

CrowdStrike Falcon

CrowdStrike is widely regarded as a market-leading EDR platform, with Falcon Go and Falcon Pro tiers suitable for SMEs. Pricing starts from approximately £8–£12 per device per month. CrowdStrike's cloud-native architecture and threat intelligence from its large customer base are key differentiators. It supports Windows, macOS and Linux endpoints.

SentinelOne

SentinelOne uses AI-driven behavioural detection and offers strong automated response capabilities, including autonomous rollback of encrypted files in a ransomware scenario — effectively attempting to reverse ransomware damage automatically. SME pricing starts from approximately £5–£9 per device per month.

Sophos Intercept X

Sophos has a large UK presence and strong channel partner support. Intercept X combines EDR with anti-ransomware protection, exploit prevention and deep learning-based detection. Managed Threat Response (MTR) is available as an add-on, providing 24/7 human-led threat hunting and response.

Managed endpoint detection and response (MDR)

EDR tools generate significant alert volumes that require skilled analysts to triage and respond to. For SMEs without a dedicated security team, a managed EDR or MDR service — where a specialist provider monitors your endpoints 24/7 and responds to threats — is the practical way to realise the value of EDR technology without building internal security operations capability.

AMVIA provides managed EDR as part of its cybersecurity services for UK businesses, handling monitoring, alert triage, and incident response so that business owners receive clear escalations rather than raw alerts requiring security expertise to interpret.

Endpoint security for remote and mobile workers

The shift to hybrid working has expanded the endpoint estate significantly. Devices used at home or on public Wi-Fi are exposed to different risks than those behind a corporate firewall. Endpoint security must extend to remote devices, and policies should account for the difference in network environment.

Mobile Device Management (MDM) — using Microsoft Intune or a similar platform — allows organisations to apply consistent security policies to all managed devices regardless of location, enforce encryption, remotely wipe lost or stolen devices, and ensure only compliant devices can access corporate resources.

The Cyber Essentials baseline

The UK government's Cyber Essentials certification requires malware protection on all endpoints as one of its five controls. Whilst Cyber Essentials accepts traditional antivirus, the more complete interpretation for modern threats is an EDR solution that meets and exceeds the Cyber Essentials requirement. Organisations seeking Cyber Essentials Plus certification undergo independent technical testing that verifies endpoint protection is functioning correctly.