Kaspersky excels with its easy-to-use interface and automation features, while Bitdefender has an edge in overall detection rates and lab test results, but with a slightly more difficult learning curve.
Cybersecurity threats have become one of the top concerns for businesses of all sizes. These security threats are often more difficult to detect than in the past, making it a much more difficult task for OpSec engineers looking for remediation solutions.
Two powerful endpoint detection and response tools deployed around the world include Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business and Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security. Both EDR software solutions provide robust detection, removal and threat management tools. Below we’ll take a look at what Kaspersky and Bitdefender have in common, and where each product is ahead of the other.
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What is Kaspersky?
Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business is an EDR suite designed for small and large businesses that need a scalable solution for their OpSec requirements. With a focus on automation and automatic tasks, Kaspersky excels in smaller environments where the staff may not be available to devote to every task.
Users often comment that the easy-to-use console interface is one of the best in the business, with a very short learning curve required to get the most out of it.
What is Bitdefender?
Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security appears to fulfill the same role as Kaspersky by offering a complete EDR solution aimed at SecOps professionals. With higher lab detection scores than Kaspersky in tests like MITRE, which mimic a state-sponsored cyberattack, Bitdefender is often considered slightly more advanced in its detection techniques.
Aiming at more fully staffed SecOps, installation can be trickier with Bitdefender. While it doesn’t have the automation focus that Kaspersky does, Bitdefender does offer more flexibility and customization for teams that have the manpower to take advantage of it.
Kaspersky vs. Bitdefender: Feature Comparison
| Function | Kaspersky | Bitdefender |
|---|---|---|
| Dashboard console | Yes | Yes |
| On-premise, cloud and hybrid console | Yes | Yes |
| Lock Mode | Yes | New |
| Automatic sandbox | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic IoC detection and remediation | Yes | New |
| Machine Learning Detection | Yes | Yes |
Head-to-head comparison: Kaspersky vs. Bitdefender
Dashboard Control Console
Both Kaspersky and Bitdefender provide detailed dashboard consoles to access all features and configurations for both tools. Kaspersky uses the Kaspersky Security Center. This dashboard view is a favorite among users for its simplicity and easy-to-learn interface and layout. It’s best for smaller businesses or those that don’t have the dedicated staff to manage more complex tools.
Bitdefender also offers a dashboard console, but it is decidedly more complex than Kaspersky’s offerings, and users often find this to be one of the software’s downsides. It is very capable, but it has a steep learning curve and is not intuitive or easy to decipher at first glance. For this reason, it is best suited for those larger companies that have dedicated staff to figure out the nuances.
Stake
Both options are SaaS tools and the implementation is relatively simple, but users report that Bitdefender is the easiest of the two in this regard. Despite being easier to use once deployed, Kaspersky is a little slower to deploy in most situations, according to many SecOps engineers experienced with both.
Bitdefender has most of the features available right out of the box, while Kaspersky has a slightly more comprehensive model with tiered modules and pricing for different functionality. This can make it difficult for smaller businesses to determine exactly what to configure for a new installation.
Detection and Recovery
Kaspersky allows users to set automated parameters and take actions for various detections and other threats. This can ease a lot of the workload for employees who may not have dedicated teams or want to streamline their efforts.
Bitdefender doesn’t offer the same level of automation, but they do offer vulnerability management that can examine trends and history in the network to discover vulnerabilities. This can help speed up tasks related to cybersecurity audits and threat management.
Choosing between Kaspersky and Bitdefender
Both EDR options are well-tested and well suited to businesses of almost any size. They detect a wide range of threats and provide dynamic options to quickly address these threats.
The differences are mainly in the user interface between the two, with Kaspersky clearly leaning towards smaller to medium-sized businesses with no dedicated staff needed to fully manage the software. Their automation tools also help work on this simpler approach to EDR management.
Bitdefender, on the other hand, is much more comfortable in the hands of dedicated SecOps engineers, where the slightly more difficult interface and advanced features can be fully exploited.
