Data is one of the most valuable resources any modern business handles. After all, it can influence decisions and transform the business structure. As such, companies of any size must invest in reliable security architecture to secure any vulnerabilities in their network and convey confidence in their clients.
Two platforms have grown in popularity in the past few years, but recent developments in their history have led consumers to reconsider their place in their cybersecurity systems. This article will discuss important things to consider when displacing Carbon Black and CrowdStrike as your server’s endpoint security.
Endpoint Security
Endpoint security refers to any security measures applied to end layers in a network. These are workstations, mobile devices, servers, laptops, desktop computers, and the like—any device that gathers data and communicates with a network. With businesses introducing foreign devices to their network—and even those that work with their own hardware—smaller businesses are becoming targets for cyberattacks from agents who exploit vulnerable devices to break into the network.
Protecting the endpoint is vital.
- Protection against ransomware and malware
- Barrier against data breach attempts
- Mitigates insider threats
- Vulnerability management
- Ensures compliance with growing data laws and guidelines
The Platforms: Carbon Black
Originally built and maintained by VMWare, Carbon Black is an endpoint protection platform that combines antivirus, endpoint detection and response (EDR), and more into a single solution. It is a cloud-based service, but it can also operate on-premises.
Carbon Black offers streaming prevention to block malware and malicious activities. It works with threat hunting protocols with comprehensive data that is easy to navigate. It offers good visibility into endpoint health and threat status and its response to detected threats can be worked manually or automatically. It is a powerful ally in protecting servers against known and unknown threats.
Recently, Carbon Black’s parent company, VMWare, has been the subject of sales and negotiations. Though this process has led to a deal with Broadcom, the uncertainty of such a sale can lead users to seek more stable options.
The Platforms: CrowdStrike
CrowdStrike Falcon, the company’s latest approach to endpoint security, emphasizes cloud-delivered endpoint protection via lightweight agents. Its cloud-based architecture makes it scalable and convenient for businesses managing remote or distributed servers.
CrowdStrike works with a Zero Trust model of never trust, always verify. Its next-gen antivirus uses machine learning and behavioral techniques to prevent a data breach. It employs real-time operational insights into threats for EDR, and its managed thread hunting, Falcon Overwatch, provides additional layers of oversight and expertise.
However, in July 2024, CrowdStrike was at the center of a Windows outage that brought critical international services to a complete standstill. Despite the error being resolved, customers everywhere have sought other options.
Considerations Moving Forward
Switching security services is a meticulous process. Simply swapping and hoping may lead to your network presenting new vulnerabilities. Consider the following practices for smoother transitions.
First, identify the key players impacted by security risks and approach them. This approach involves understanding the existing infrastructure and how it serves the department, as well as how a change may impact them. This is also an opportunity to learn more about the existing threats and vulnerabilities and explore how the new protocols may help.
Make sure you involve the affected parties in the transition, too, as this will encourage them to use the tools to their benefit. Additionally, be sure to discuss matters of privacy with your staff. In many ways, privacy and security go hand in hand. This is where cybersecurity awareness sessions come in handy. Remember to test, review, and prepare your staff as you go along.
As you pick potential alternatives, consider how the incoming security platform integrates with your existing system. How does it work with existing automated systems, for example, or how will its implementation disrupt your workflows? Disruption may be temporary, but it’s still worth considering as you shop around for new solutions.
Endpoint security is essential to any business’s network integrity. While cybersecurity may face its most complex threats in data transit between devices, protecting those devices is another way to protect the data. Transitioning between security platforms may present a share of challenges, but at the end of the process, you’ll end up with security measures that you are confident will protect your customer’s data and your employee’s work.
The Virsec Security platform uses cybersecurity strategies to protect complex networks. Click here to learn how it can protect your endpoints and lead to a safer environment for the data you handle.
