Endpoint detection and response software protects against a variety of threats and attacks. Learn about two of the most popular EDR options, CrowdStrike and McAfee, and how to protect your network.
Security threats are a major concern for businesses as they can have a number of unwanted consequences, including breaches of customer data or loss of sensitive data. To protect against these threats, many companies use endpoint detection and response software.
CrowdStrike and McAfee are two of the top EDR software options on the market. Both tools are adept at identifying and mitigating threats and vulnerabilities to keep your network and data safe. Find out what features each has to offer and how to choose between these two EDR solutions.
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What is CrowdStrike?
CrowdStrike is a cloud-based endpoint detection and response tool that protects endpoints and networks from critical vulnerabilities, including malware, ransomware, phishing, and DDoS attacks. With its advanced threat detection and machine learning capabilities, CrowdStrike has built a strong reputation in cybersecurity.
CrowdStrike is lightweight and quick to deploy, while providing 24/7 threat hunting and detection. CrowdStrike uses real-time indicators of attack and threat intelligence to protect against all threat vectors, even when your organization’s computers and servers are not connected to the Internet. In addition to their automated features, CrowdStrike also has a human touch with their team of human threat hunters who manually search for threats, review content, and add context to automatically identified threats.
What is McAfee?
McAfee is a software solution that provides both on-premises and cloud-based endpoint detection and response options to protect your organization’s data from attacks and cybersecurity breaches. The solution uses behavioral and machine learning to identify and mitigate threats.
Most people associate McAfee with simple virus scans, but they also offer a variety of comprehensive endpoint and network security features within the McAfee Endpoint Security product. Consumers can run the manual computer scans they’ve come to expect from McAfee, but they can also take advantage of more automated threat detection and mitigation features, including behavior monitoring and application mitigation.
CrowdStrike vs. McAfee: Feature Comparison
| Function | CrowdStrike | McAfee |
|---|---|---|
| Protection against malware and ransomware | Yes | Yes |
| Cloud based | Yes | Yes |
| Local installation option | New | Yes |
| Behavioral Threat Analysis | Yes | Yes |
| machine learning | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple sensors | Yes | New |
| Single Agent Model | Yes | Yes |
Head-to-head comparison: CrowdStrike vs. McAfee
Threat detection and mitigation
McAfee’s endpoint solution provides advanced malware scanning to defend against emerging and targeted attacks. McAfee is also very proactive in handling detected threats. McAfee’s software immediately quarantines suspected threats when they attempt to encrypt or read your data. It also makes copies of your sensitive files as a preventative measure to ensure that important data is not lost or compromised.
CrowdStrike also offers detection rates for known threats, but their machine learning-based detection model is better equipped for identifying unknown threats and attacks than McAfee.
behavioral learning
McAfee’s machine learning capabilities include pre- and post-execution analytics that detect zero-day threats based on how they look and behave. This allows threats to be detected earlier. McAfee also leverages behavioral learning by capturing process-level behavior while analyzing attack techniques and procedures. Alerts are prioritized when replaying event attacks.
CrowdStrik’s event-based behavioral detection identifies attack indicators to prevent advanced fileless and malware-free security breaches. It reviews records of past threats to identify patterns that may indicate suspicious activity.
Design with one agent
McAfee Endpoint has a single-agent architecture with integrated advanced defenses such as machine learning analytics, containment, and EDR.
CrowdStrike also has an integrated single agent design for all functions. In addition, they also have a single-sensor design that makes their system lighter and reduces the CPU usage associated with running CrowdStrik.
Choosing between CrowdStrike and McAfee
Both solutions can help you secure your data and network while protecting against a variety of threats and attacks. If you prefer a local salutation to a cloud-based EDR, McAfee is the product for you. McAfee usually has a lower learning curve and a more simplified user interface. Most small businesses will find that McAfee fits their needs well.
CrowdStrike has a more complex system that is ideal for highly regulated industries or companies at higher risk of security attacks. It is ideally suited for large enterprises with complex security needs. Companies operating in the financial, government and healthcare sectors often rely on CrowdStrik to meet their enhanced security needs. CrowdStrike may also be a better choice if you have multiple endpoints to secure and want more flexibility in deployment.
