Understanding Antivirus vs. MDR

At DTP, we take the security of your business seriously. In today’s ever-evolving threat landscape, it’s crucial to stay ahead of cybercriminals and protect your sensitive data. That’s why we have deployed Huntress Managed Security as a part of our comprehensive security strategy. In this edition of DTP Tech Talk, we would like to shed light on the differences between traditional antivirus, next-gen antivirus (NGAV), and Managed Detection and Response (MDR), while emphasizing the value that Huntress brings to your organization. 

Traditional Antivirus

Traditional antivirus solutions are designed to identify and remove known malware based on signature patterns. While they provide a baseline level of protection, they have limitations when it comes to detecting sophisticated and emerging threats. Traditional antivirus typically relies on periodic updates, which can lead to a time gap during which new threats can go undetected. Consequently, relying solely on traditional antivirus may leave your dental practice vulnerable to zero-day attacks and targeted threats. 

Next-Generation Antivirus (NGAV)

Next-generation antivirus solutions aim to address the limitations of traditional antivirus by incorporating additional features such as behavioral analysis, machine learning, and threat intelligence. NGAV solutions leverage advanced algorithms to detect and respond to both known and unknown threats in real-time. They can identify suspicious activities, fileless attacks, and zero-day exploits by analyzing patterns and anomalies. However, NGAV solutions are still primarily focused on prevention and may not offer comprehensive threat hunting and incident response capabilities. 

Managed Detection and Response (MDR)

MDR represents a proactive approach to cybersecurity. Unlike traditional antivirus and NGAV, MDR solutions like Huntress Managed Security focus on continuous threat hunting, detection, and response. MDR combines cutting-edge technology with human expertise to provide real-time monitoring, incident investigation, and rapid response to cyber threats. 

As part of our commitment to staying proactive and aware of new technologies that can benefit our customer base, DTP is proud to have partnered with Huntress Labs and deployed their MDR solution across our customer base.  

To go into further detail about the benefits of MDR generally, and Huntress specifically, here are some of the unique benefits that go beyond traditional antivirus and NGAV: 

External Threat Detection: Huntress hunts for hidden threats and persistent attacks that may have evaded other security layers. By continuously monitoring your endpoints, it can identify malicious activities that would otherwise go unnoticed. 

Threat Hunting: Huntress employs skilled security analysts who actively hunt for threats within your network. They analyze suspicious behavior and indicators of compromise to identify and remediate potential threats before they can cause significant damage. 

Incident Response: In the event of a security incident, Huntress provides actionable guidance and support to contain and remediate the threat effectively. Their experts work closely with our team to investigate and respond to incidents promptly. 

Compliance Support: Huntress helps you meet regulatory requirements by monitoring for potential security gaps and offering guidance on best practices to protect sensitive patient data. 

By leveraging Huntress Managed Security, we enhance your business’s security posture by complementing existing Windows Defender antivirus solutions. With its proactive threat detection capabilities, continuous monitoring, and incident response support, we can swiftly identify and neutralize potential threats, reducing the risk of data breaches and ensuring the confidentiality of your patients’ information. 

If you have any questions about Huntress Managed Security or would like to learn more about how it benefits your dental practice, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We are here to help you navigate the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape and keep your practice secure.