Virsec Security Platform: When EDRs Fall Short

The Virsec Security Platform (VSP) offers better security than traditional security solutions like EDRs and EPPs because it provides proactive, application-aware protection. VSP uses CFI, BCI, and CACR to create an impenetrable barrier against modern threats with zero dwell time, minimizing the window for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities and steal data.

Defending your organization against current and evolving cyber-attack methods requires a multi-layered defense strategy, vigilance, rapid system patching, and 24x7 monitoring and response. A cursory look at cybersecurity news sites in any given week will show that cybercriminals are still successfully breaching security across all sectors and organizations. For many businesses and public sector entities, their best efforts to guard against cyberattacks frequently fail. Often leading to catastrophic financial, reputational, and operational impacts from data breaches, ransomware attacks, and more. 

The Limitations of EDRs and EPPs

Core to many organizations’ cybersecurity defense strategies are endpoint device security solutions such as EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) and EPP (EndPoint Protection). EDR and EPP use complementary techniques to deliver security and insights about endpoint devices.

• EPP attempts to block known threats in real time to prevent them from compromising security on a device. It is proactive and aims to stop malicious activities before they can compromise the endpoint to give bad actors a foothold to move laterally to other systems.
• EDR, on the other hand, focuses on detecting and responding to advanced threats and suspicious activities on endpoints. It provides greater visibility into endpoint activities and facilitates rapid response to potential threats after a device gets compromised.

EPP and EDR are best when deployed together to provide comprehensive endpoint security that prevents known attack vectors and detects malicious activity that could indicate compromise from an unknown or missed attack type. EPP serves as the first line of defense by blocking known threats. In contrast, EDR operates as the second line, detecting and responding to advanced threats that manage to bypass EPP.

It is evident that the current cybersecurity defense stack, including EPP, EDR, and other layers, needs to be improved in light of the high number of successful cyberattacks.

Virsec Has a Solution

The Virsec Security Platform (VSP) is a unique security solution that differs from EPP and EDR approaches. It provides advanced protection for workloads, which require a different approach than user endpoints. The latest annual Verizon Data Breach Investigation Report (DBIR) highlights that 70% of cyberattacks target servers and application infrastructure, including on-premises servers, virtual infrastructure, container-based applications, and cloud services.

VSP is specifically designed to protect workloads and the servers and application infrastructure running on them by detecting and blocking attacks at the point of execution. It monitors the behavior of applications and services, and if it detects any anomalous activity, it stops the code from running within milliseconds. This means it can detect unknown attacks, such as zero-day vulnerabilities. With VSP, you can rest assured that your workloads are well-protected against any potential security threats.

How VSP Works

VSP uses three techniques to monitor, control, and authorize or block the execution of executable code on servers and backend applications - Control Flow Integrity (CFI), Byte Code Instrumentation (BCI), and Centralized Application Control Repository (CACR). Using these three techniques to decide if an executable piece of code in a program can even run delivers unparalleled security. Here’s how they work:

• CFI acts as a stronghold for pre-compiled code: CFI builds a map of authorized execution paths within application servers, frameworks, and runtime libraries. With an understanding of how the code should flow under normal operation from this map, VSP can instantly identify any deviations from the normal code execution path and prevent them at runtime. This stops any malicious attempts to exploit vulnerabilities through code injection or redirection. You can think of this mapping technique as providing an allowed route through the application and server code landscape. Anything that deviates from the permitted paths gets stopped from proceeding within milliseconds, including unknown threats such as zero-day vulnerabilities.
  
  
• BCI shields the dynamic world of interpreted code: Web applications depend on interpreted languages such as Java or Python. BCI injects unobtrusive security checks directly into web application bytecode, allowing VSP to monitor the application’s runtime behavior in real-time. Any unauthorized actions, such as unexpected memory access or function calls, trigger immediate intervention, effectively stopping malicious scripts and logic-based attacks before they can cause harm.
  
  
• CACR acts as a strict gatekeeper for executables and libraries: The days of trusting code and libraries are over. CACR is a central source that verifies authorized executables and libraries, ensuring that only known and approved elements are allowed to run on VSP-protected infrastructure. This not only blocks any attempts to run file-based or fileless malware but also simplifies security management and detects and blocks attempts to replace known code libraries with malicious replacements. CACR and VSP work on a “deny-by-default” principle, eliminating the need for complex safe listing procedures.

Final Thoughts

The Virsec Security Platform (VSP) is a real-time threat prevention system that stops attacks at the point of attack. It uses CFI, BCI, and CACR technologies to create a multi-layered defense system that resembles a fortress with guards patrolling the halls and rooms. This approach offers several benefits:

•  Zero dwell time - Attacks get stopped instantaneously, minimizing the window for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities and steal data.
• Zero-day protection - CFI and BCI render even unknown threats powerless.
• Unmatched protection for interpreted code - BCI provides comprehensive security for web applications, which have historically been a vulnerable area.
• Reduced complexity - CACR simplifies security management by eliminating the need for complex safe listing and signature updates.

VSP is superior to traditional security solutions because it provides proactive, application-aware protection. Utilizing CFI, BCI, and CACR creates an impenetrable barrier against modern threats, leaving attackers scratching at a sheer server and application defensive wall with nothing to latch onto to gain entry.

For more detailed information on Zero Trust Runtime Defense and how we protect vulnerable legacy workloads, visit www.virsec.com.

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