What is Next-Generation Antivirus (NGAV)? Differences from Traditional Antivirus and EDR

Next-Generation Antivirus (NGAV) refers to information security measures that can detect unknown viruses. As cyberattacks have become more sophisticated, traditional antivirus software has become insufficient for security, leading to the emergence of next-generation antivirus.

Amidst the increasing complexity of cyberattacks, companies have a responsibility to protect confidential and customer information. Therefore, many 담당자 (those in charge) are likely considering “strengthening their company’s security measures” and “learning more about next-generation antivirus.”

This article will provide a detailed explanation of next-generation antivirus, highlighting its differences from traditional antivirus and EDR.

Table of Contents

1. What is Next-Generation Antivirus?
2. Functions of Next-Generation Antivirus
   1. Behavioral Detection
   2. AI/Machine Learning
   3. Pattern Matching
   4. Sandbox
3. Differences Between Next-Generation Antivirus, Traditional Antivirus, EDR, EPP, and DLP
   1. Traditional Antivirus
   2. EDR
   3. EPP
   4. DLP
4. Summary

1. What is Next-Generation Antivirus?

Next-Generation Antivirus (NGAV) stands for Next Generation Anti-Virus and is a security software developed to address the latest cyberattacks.

In recent years, cyberattack techniques have become more complex, and traditional antivirus software is only effective against about half of cyberattacks. To address these sophisticated attacks, next-generation antivirus incorporates new technologies such as artificial intelligence-based machine learning.

Next-generation antivirus can block unknown malware attacks that are not yet circulating. Malware refers to malicious software.

2. Functions of Next-Generation Antivirus

To counter attacks that traditional antivirus software could not defend against, several new functions have been added to next-generation antivirus.

The specific features may vary depending on the product, but we will introduce some typical functions. To determine whether your company needs next-generation antivirus for its virus対策 (countermeasures), it is important to understand the functions of next-generation antivirus.

2-1. Behavioral Detection

Behavioral detection is a system that detects programs exhibiting suspicious behavior.

Just as a shoplifter makes suspicious movements that ordinary people don’t, malicious malware exhibits unique behaviors not seen in normal files.
By looking at the program’s behavior rather than the program itself or its code, it is possible to find viruses that have never been seen before.

However, because it is a system that detects suspicious things, it may incorrectly identify a perfectly legitimate program as malicious.

2-2. AI/Machine Learning

AI-powered machine learning is a major feature of next-generation antivirus.

It constantly monitors processes and, upon detecting signs of an attack, begins collecting information.
As a result of information gathering, it can detect malicious programs even if the attack method or malware has never been detected before.

Because AI automatically analyzes data without human intervention, it can respond quickly to unknown malware.

2-3. Pattern Matching

Pattern matching is a key function of traditional antivirus software. It accumulates information on previously existing malware and uses that data to detect malicious files.

While it cannot detect unknown malware, it has the advantage of reliably preventing registered threats. It is effective against known malware and continues to play an important role in next-generation antivirus.

2-4. Sandbox

A sandbox is a virtual environment where suspicious programs can be executed and run. If it is not possible to definitively say that something is malicious, the program is run in a closed virtual environment to test for abnormal behavior.

When investigating, even if a malicious program runs wild or tries to access data, it will not adversely affect external data within the sandbox.
The major advantage is that it can handle unknown malicious files.

3. Differences Between Next-Generation Antivirus, Traditional Antivirus, EDR, EPP, and DLP

There are various types of security measures besides next-generation antivirus.

Security measures can be broadly divided into proactive and reactive measures. Proactive measures are designed to prevent malware and other threats from entering. Reactive measures, on the other hand, are taken after a threat has entered. The goal is to minimize damage after an intrusion or to quickly restore the system to its pre-intrusion state.

The characteristics of next-generation antivirus and other security measures are as follows. By understanding and comparing the characteristics of each, you can choose the appropriate measures for your company.

Measure	Characteristics
Next-Generation Antivirus	Can detect unknown malware Cannot prevent 100% of attacks
Traditional Antivirus	Can only detect existing malware Pattern matching is the main function
EDR	Reactive measure after a threat has entered Aims for early recovery Cannot prevent malware intrusion
EPP	Comprehensive proactive measures up to the point of threat intrusion Detects and eliminates illegally intruding malware
DLP	Aims to prevent information leakage Can only defend designated files

It is important to combine proactive and reactive measures effectively, rather than relying on just one security measure.

Here, we will explain the overview and differences of each.

3-1. Traditional Antivirus

Traditional antivirus aims to prevent threats and uses pattern matching as its main technology. It accumulates data on previously detected malicious programs, and when a file with the same pattern as a malicious program intrudes, it detects and eliminates it.

However, in recent years, attackers’ techniques have become more sophisticated and complex, and programs that bypass traditional antivirus detection have appeared one after another. Therefore, it is difficult to provide sufficient security対策 (measures) with traditional antivirus alone.

3-2. EDR

EDR stands for Endpoint Detection and Response and refers to a system or tool that detects and responds to suspicious activity on PCs and servers located at the edge of the network.

It is based on the premise that it is difficult to completely prevent sophisticated cyberattacks, and its purpose is to minimize damage in the event of infection. It does not have the function of preventing threats from entering, and it focuses on how quickly to recover in the event of infection.

3-3. EPP

EPP stands for Endpoint Protection Platform and refers to comprehensive proactive measures against malware infection.
Next-generation antivirus and traditional antivirus are also included in EPP. Its purpose is to detect threats trying to intrude into PCs at the endpoint and protect the PC.

An endpoint refers to a terminal such as a PC, tablet, or smartphone connected to the edge of a network.

3-4. DLP

DLP stands for Data Loss Prevention and is a security system designed to protect confidential information such as personal information. Traditional information leakage対策 (measures) mainly used user authentication with IDs and passwords. User authentication is effective against malicious third parties, but it cannot prevent information leakage due to unauthorized access by employees who know legitimate information or operational errors.

DLP constantly monitors specific confidential information and can immediately issue alerts or cancel operations if suspicious behavior is detected in the data.

Summary

In recent years, the number of unknown malware has been increasing, making it difficult to deal with traditional antivirus software alone. Next-generation antivirus has added new technologies such as behavioral detection and sandboxing, allowing it to detect malware that does not exist in accumulated data. By combining it with functions such as EDR and DLP, you can prepare for increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks.

EXO Security is a next-generation antivirus that is easy to operate even for those unfamiliar with IT. If you have any concerns about your company’s security strategy or would like to know more about our services, please feel free to contact us.
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