Article
Authors:
Emma Phillips
Publish Date:
July 11, 2023
Read Time:
7 Minutes

Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV): Enhancing Cyber Security and Preventing Breaches

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In an increasingly interconnected world, cyber threats and data breaches have become a major concern for organisations across all industries. To combat these evolving threats, many organisations are turning to Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) solutions. In this article, we will explore what NGAV is, why organisations should implement it, and provide answers to some frequently asked questions about this innovative technology.

What is Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV)?

Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) is an advanced cybersecurity solution that goes beyond traditional antivirus software to provide comprehensive protection against modern cyber threats. Unlike traditional antivirus solutions, which rely on signature-based detection to identify known malware, NGAV uses advanced techniques such as behaviour-based detection, machine learning algorithms, and real-time threat intelligence to detect and prevent sophisticated attacks.

Behaviour-based detection: NGAV monitors the behaviour of files and processes on a system, looking for suspicious activity that may indicate the presence of malware. By analysing the behaviour of files in real-time, NGAV can identify and block malicious activity, even if the malware has not been seen before.

Machine learning algorithms: NGAV leverages machine learning algorithms to analyse large amounts of data and identify patterns that may indicate the presence of malware. By continuously learning from new threats and evolving attack techniques, NGAV can adapt and improve its detection capabilities over time.

Real-time threat intelligence: NGAV is constantly updated with real-time threat intelligence, which includes information about the latest malware strains, vulnerabilities, and attack vectors. This ensures that NGAV can detect and block new and emerging threats, providing organisations with up-to-date protection against the ever-evolving threat landscape.

"As Trustack’s technical director, I recognise the critical importance of staying ahead of the ever-evolving cyber threats that organisations face to keep ourselves and our clients business as secure as possible. Traditional antivirus solutions are no longer sufficient in combating sophisticated attacks. That's why we have implemented Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) as a proactive measure to enhance our cyber security defence offerings.

NGAV goes beyond traditional antivirus software by leveraging advanced techniques such as behaviour-based detection, machine learning algorithms, and real-time threat intelligence. This enables us to detect and prevent both known and unknown threats, including zero-day attacks that pose a significant risk.  This combined with our hosted SoC solutions provides a highly secure, proactive threat hunting set of defences for ourselves and our clients.

The behaviour-based approach allows us to identify suspicious activities and block malicious behaviour before it can cause harm to business systems and compromise valuable data.

In summary, Next Generation Anti-Virus empowers us to stay one step ahead of cyber threats, detect and prevent advanced attacks, and safeguard our critical assets. NGAV has become an essential investment for all businesses in their cyber security arsenal.”


Russell Henderson, Technical Director

Why Should Organisations Implement Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV)?

Implementing NGAV offers several benefits and advantages for organisations looking to enhance their cybersecurity posture and protect against data breaches:

Proactive threat detection and response: NGAV provides proactive threat detection capabilities, allowing organisations to identify and respond to potential threats before they can cause significant damage. By continuously monitoring the behaviour of files and processes, NGAV can detect and block malicious activity in real-time, minimising the risk of a successful attack.

Advanced threat protection: NGAV is designed to detect and prevent advanced and zero-day attacks, which traditional antivirus solutions often struggle with. With its behaviour-based detection and machine learning algorithms, NGAV can identify and block previously unseen malware strains and sophisticated attack techniques.

Reduced false positives: Traditional antivirus software often generates false positives, flagging legitimate files and processes as malicious. This can lead to unnecessary disruptions and resource-intensive investigations. NGAV, on the other hand, reduces false positives by using advanced techniques to accurately identify and block malicious activity, minimising the impact on legitimate operations.

Enhanced system performance: NGAV is designed to have a minimal impact on system performance. Unlike traditional antivirus solutions that require frequent updates and resource-intensive scans, NGAV leverages real-time threat intelligence to stay up to date with the latest threats, reducing the need for frequent updates and minimising the impact on system performance.

Complementary to existing security infrastructure: NGAV is designed to work alongside existing security infrastructure, complementing and enhancing the overall security posture of an organisation. It can integrate with other security solutions, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and security information and event management (SIEM) platforms, providing a layered defence strategy.

By implementing NGAV, organisations can significantly strengthen their cybersecurity defences, detect and prevent advanced attacks, and safeguard their valuable data and assets. With its advanced features and capabilities, NGAV is undoubtedly a crucial component of any comprehensive cybersecurity strategy.

"Trustack understands the paramount importance of maintaining the trust and confidence of our customers when it comes to the security of their data. Cyber threats continue to evolve and pose significant risks to businesses like ours. That's why we have made the strategic decision to implement Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) as a critical component of our cyber security strategy.

NGAV offers us a proactive approach to combating modern cyber threats that traditional antivirus solutions struggle to address effectively. By leveraging advanced techniques such as behaviour-based detection, machine learning algorithms, and real-time threat intelligence, NGAV provides us with enhanced capabilities to detect and prevent sophisticated attacks.

By investing in NGAV as part of our stack, we have demonstrated our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of data security for our clients. This not only gives us a competitive edge but also instils confidence in our customers that their sensitive information is safeguarded. 

In conclusion, Next Generation Anti-Virus has become a vital investment for us as a commercial organisation. It empowers us to proactively protect against modern cyber threats, ensuring the security and trust of our customers. NGAV provides us with the peace of mind that we are taking the necessary steps to safeguard our business and maintain our position as a trusted partner in the digital landscape."


Phil Cambers, Commercial Director

Conclusion

Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) offers organisations a powerful and effective solution to combat cyber threats and prevent data breaches. By implementing NGAV, organisations can enhance their cyber security posture, detect and prevent advanced attacks, and safeguard their valuable data and assets. With its advanced features and capabilities, NGAV is undoubtedly a crucial component of any comprehensive cyber security strategy.

FAQs

What is the difference between traditional Anti-Virus (AV) and Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV)?

Traditional antivirus software looks for known malware by comparing files to a database of known malware signatures. This is a good way to protect against known malware, but it's not as good at protecting against new malware that hasn't been seen before.

Next generation antivirus (NGAV) goes beyond signature-based detection. It also uses behavioural detection and machine learning to identify malware. Behavioural detection looks for suspicious behaviour, such as changes to system files or processes. Machine learning uses artificial intelligence (AI) to learn how malware behaves and then it looks for new malware that exhibits a similar behaviour.

This means that NGAV can offer better protection against new malware than traditional antivirus software. It can also have fewer false positives, which means that it's less likely to flag legitimate files as malware.

Selecting the right solution for your organisation can depend on many factors such as specific needs and budget so it’s always best to speak to experts in cyber security to help navigate these decisions.

What are the benefits of Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV)?

Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) offers several benefits over traditional antivirus software. With the use of machine learning to learn how malware behaves it can offer better protection against malware threats. This in conjunction with behavioural detection techniques means that the number of false positives are reduced as NGAV is less likely to flag a legitimate file as malicious.

Can Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) prevent zero-day attacks?

Yes, Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) can prevent zero-day attacks. A zero-day attack refers to a vulnerability or exploit that is unknown to the software vendor or has not yet been patched. NGAV leverages machine learning algorithms and behaviour-based detection to identify and block zero-day attacks, even if they have never been seen before. By analysing the behaviour and characteristics of files and processes, NGAV can detect suspicious activity and prevent zero-day attacks from compromising the system. This ability to proactively identify and block previously unseen threats makes NGAV an effective solution for protecting against zero-day attacks.

Is Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) compatible with existing security infrastructure?

Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) is designed to work alongside existing security infrastructure. It is compatible with other security solutions, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and security information and event management (SIEM) platforms. NGAV can integrate with these technologies, complementing and enhancing the overall security posture of an organisation. By working in harmony with existing security infrastructure, NGAV provides a layered defence strategy that improves the organisation's ability to detect and respond to threats effectively.

Does Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) require frequent updates like traditional antivirus software?

NGAV leverages real-time threat intelligence to stay up to date with the latest threats and does not require frequent updates like traditional antivirus software. Traditional antivirus software often relies on signature updates to detect new threats, which can be resource-intensive and require frequent updates. NGAV, on the other hand, uses real-time threat intelligence, which includes information about the latest malware strains, vulnerabilities, and attack vectors. This approach ensures that NGAV is always equipped with the most up-to-date information, minimising the need for frequent updates and reducing the impact on system performance.

Can Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) detect and prevent insider threats?

Yes, Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) can detect and prevent insider threats. Insider threats refer to malicious activities carried out by individuals within an organisation, such as employees or contractors. NGAV can detect insider threats by monitoring user behaviour and identifying anomalous activities that may indicate malicious intent. For example, if an employee suddenly accesses sensitive files or attempts to transfer large amounts of data, NGAV can flag this activity as suspicious and trigger an alert. By providing visibility into user behaviour, NGAV helps organisations detect and prevent insider threats, reducing the risk of data breaches and insider attacks.

In an increasingly interconnected world, cyber threats and data breaches have become a major concern for organisations across all industries. To combat these evolving threats, many organisations are turning to Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) solutions. In this article, we will explore what NGAV is, why organisations should implement it, and provide answers to some frequently asked questions about this innovative technology.

What is Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV)?

Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) is an advanced cybersecurity solution that goes beyond traditional antivirus software to provide comprehensive protection against modern cyber threats. Unlike traditional antivirus solutions, which rely on signature-based detection to identify known malware, NGAV uses advanced techniques such as behaviour-based detection, machine learning algorithms, and real-time threat intelligence to detect and prevent sophisticated attacks.

Behaviour-based detection: NGAV monitors the behaviour of files and processes on a system, looking for suspicious activity that may indicate the presence of malware. By analysing the behaviour of files in real-time, NGAV can identify and block malicious activity, even if the malware has not been seen before.

Machine learning algorithms: NGAV leverages machine learning algorithms to analyse large amounts of data and identify patterns that may indicate the presence of malware. By continuously learning from new threats and evolving attack techniques, NGAV can adapt and improve its detection capabilities over time.

Real-time threat intelligence: NGAV is constantly updated with real-time threat intelligence, which includes information about the latest malware strains, vulnerabilities, and attack vectors. This ensures that NGAV can detect and block new and emerging threats, providing organisations with up-to-date protection against the ever-evolving threat landscape.

"As Trustack’s technical director, I recognise the critical importance of staying ahead of the ever-evolving cyber threats that organisations face to keep ourselves and our clients business as secure as possible. Traditional antivirus solutions are no longer sufficient in combating sophisticated attacks. That's why we have implemented Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) as a proactive measure to enhance our cyber security defence offerings.

NGAV goes beyond traditional antivirus software by leveraging advanced techniques such as behaviour-based detection, machine learning algorithms, and real-time threat intelligence. This enables us to detect and prevent both known and unknown threats, including zero-day attacks that pose a significant risk.  This combined with our hosted SoC solutions provides a highly secure, proactive threat hunting set of defences for ourselves and our clients.

The behaviour-based approach allows us to identify suspicious activities and block malicious behaviour before it can cause harm to business systems and compromise valuable data.

In summary, Next Generation Anti-Virus empowers us to stay one step ahead of cyber threats, detect and prevent advanced attacks, and safeguard our critical assets. NGAV has become an essential investment for all businesses in their cyber security arsenal.”


Russell Henderson, Technical Director

Why Should Organisations Implement Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV)?

Implementing NGAV offers several benefits and advantages for organisations looking to enhance their cybersecurity posture and protect against data breaches:

Proactive threat detection and response: NGAV provides proactive threat detection capabilities, allowing organisations to identify and respond to potential threats before they can cause significant damage. By continuously monitoring the behaviour of files and processes, NGAV can detect and block malicious activity in real-time, minimising the risk of a successful attack.

Advanced threat protection: NGAV is designed to detect and prevent advanced and zero-day attacks, which traditional antivirus solutions often struggle with. With its behaviour-based detection and machine learning algorithms, NGAV can identify and block previously unseen malware strains and sophisticated attack techniques.

Reduced false positives: Traditional antivirus software often generates false positives, flagging legitimate files and processes as malicious. This can lead to unnecessary disruptions and resource-intensive investigations. NGAV, on the other hand, reduces false positives by using advanced techniques to accurately identify and block malicious activity, minimising the impact on legitimate operations.

Enhanced system performance: NGAV is designed to have a minimal impact on system performance. Unlike traditional antivirus solutions that require frequent updates and resource-intensive scans, NGAV leverages real-time threat intelligence to stay up to date with the latest threats, reducing the need for frequent updates and minimising the impact on system performance.

Complementary to existing security infrastructure: NGAV is designed to work alongside existing security infrastructure, complementing and enhancing the overall security posture of an organisation. It can integrate with other security solutions, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and security information and event management (SIEM) platforms, providing a layered defence strategy.

By implementing NGAV, organisations can significantly strengthen their cybersecurity defences, detect and prevent advanced attacks, and safeguard their valuable data and assets. With its advanced features and capabilities, NGAV is undoubtedly a crucial component of any comprehensive cybersecurity strategy.

"Trustack understands the paramount importance of maintaining the trust and confidence of our customers when it comes to the security of their data. Cyber threats continue to evolve and pose significant risks to businesses like ours. That's why we have made the strategic decision to implement Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) as a critical component of our cyber security strategy.

NGAV offers us a proactive approach to combating modern cyber threats that traditional antivirus solutions struggle to address effectively. By leveraging advanced techniques such as behaviour-based detection, machine learning algorithms, and real-time threat intelligence, NGAV provides us with enhanced capabilities to detect and prevent sophisticated attacks.

By investing in NGAV as part of our stack, we have demonstrated our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of data security for our clients. This not only gives us a competitive edge but also instils confidence in our customers that their sensitive information is safeguarded. 

In conclusion, Next Generation Anti-Virus has become a vital investment for us as a commercial organisation. It empowers us to proactively protect against modern cyber threats, ensuring the security and trust of our customers. NGAV provides us with the peace of mind that we are taking the necessary steps to safeguard our business and maintain our position as a trusted partner in the digital landscape."


Phil Cambers, Commercial Director

Conclusion

Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) offers organisations a powerful and effective solution to combat cyber threats and prevent data breaches. By implementing NGAV, organisations can enhance their cyber security posture, detect and prevent advanced attacks, and safeguard their valuable data and assets. With its advanced features and capabilities, NGAV is undoubtedly a crucial component of any comprehensive cyber security strategy.

FAQs

What is the difference between traditional Anti-Virus (AV) and Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV)?

Traditional antivirus software looks for known malware by comparing files to a database of known malware signatures. This is a good way to protect against known malware, but it's not as good at protecting against new malware that hasn't been seen before.

Next generation antivirus (NGAV) goes beyond signature-based detection. It also uses behavioural detection and machine learning to identify malware. Behavioural detection looks for suspicious behaviour, such as changes to system files or processes. Machine learning uses artificial intelligence (AI) to learn how malware behaves and then it looks for new malware that exhibits a similar behaviour.

This means that NGAV can offer better protection against new malware than traditional antivirus software. It can also have fewer false positives, which means that it's less likely to flag legitimate files as malware.

Selecting the right solution for your organisation can depend on many factors such as specific needs and budget so it’s always best to speak to experts in cyber security to help navigate these decisions.

What are the benefits of Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV)?

Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) offers several benefits over traditional antivirus software. With the use of machine learning to learn how malware behaves it can offer better protection against malware threats. This in conjunction with behavioural detection techniques means that the number of false positives are reduced as NGAV is less likely to flag a legitimate file as malicious.

Can Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) prevent zero-day attacks?

Yes, Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) can prevent zero-day attacks. A zero-day attack refers to a vulnerability or exploit that is unknown to the software vendor or has not yet been patched. NGAV leverages machine learning algorithms and behaviour-based detection to identify and block zero-day attacks, even if they have never been seen before. By analysing the behaviour and characteristics of files and processes, NGAV can detect suspicious activity and prevent zero-day attacks from compromising the system. This ability to proactively identify and block previously unseen threats makes NGAV an effective solution for protecting against zero-day attacks.

Is Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) compatible with existing security infrastructure?

Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) is designed to work alongside existing security infrastructure. It is compatible with other security solutions, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and security information and event management (SIEM) platforms. NGAV can integrate with these technologies, complementing and enhancing the overall security posture of an organisation. By working in harmony with existing security infrastructure, NGAV provides a layered defence strategy that improves the organisation's ability to detect and respond to threats effectively.

Does Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) require frequent updates like traditional antivirus software?

NGAV leverages real-time threat intelligence to stay up to date with the latest threats and does not require frequent updates like traditional antivirus software. Traditional antivirus software often relies on signature updates to detect new threats, which can be resource-intensive and require frequent updates. NGAV, on the other hand, uses real-time threat intelligence, which includes information about the latest malware strains, vulnerabilities, and attack vectors. This approach ensures that NGAV is always equipped with the most up-to-date information, minimising the need for frequent updates and reducing the impact on system performance.

Can Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) detect and prevent insider threats?

Yes, Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) can detect and prevent insider threats. Insider threats refer to malicious activities carried out by individuals within an organisation, such as employees or contractors. NGAV can detect insider threats by monitoring user behaviour and identifying anomalous activities that may indicate malicious intent. For example, if an employee suddenly accesses sensitive files or attempts to transfer large amounts of data, NGAV can flag this activity as suspicious and trigger an alert. By providing visibility into user behaviour, NGAV helps organisations detect and prevent insider threats, reducing the risk of data breaches and insider attacks.

In an increasingly interconnected world, cyber threats and data breaches have become a major concern for organisations across all industries. To combat these evolving threats, many organisations are turning to Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) solutions. In this article, we will explore what NGAV is, why organisations should implement it, and provide answers to some frequently asked questions about this innovative technology.

What is Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV)?

Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) is an advanced cybersecurity solution that goes beyond traditional antivirus software to provide comprehensive protection against modern cyber threats. Unlike traditional antivirus solutions, which rely on signature-based detection to identify known malware, NGAV uses advanced techniques such as behaviour-based detection, machine learning algorithms, and real-time threat intelligence to detect and prevent sophisticated attacks.

Behaviour-based detection: NGAV monitors the behaviour of files and processes on a system, looking for suspicious activity that may indicate the presence of malware. By analysing the behaviour of files in real-time, NGAV can identify and block malicious activity, even if the malware has not been seen before.

Machine learning algorithms: NGAV leverages machine learning algorithms to analyse large amounts of data and identify patterns that may indicate the presence of malware. By continuously learning from new threats and evolving attack techniques, NGAV can adapt and improve its detection capabilities over time.

Real-time threat intelligence: NGAV is constantly updated with real-time threat intelligence, which includes information about the latest malware strains, vulnerabilities, and attack vectors. This ensures that NGAV can detect and block new and emerging threats, providing organisations with up-to-date protection against the ever-evolving threat landscape.

"As Trustack’s technical director, I recognise the critical importance of staying ahead of the ever-evolving cyber threats that organisations face to keep ourselves and our clients business as secure as possible. Traditional antivirus solutions are no longer sufficient in combating sophisticated attacks. That's why we have implemented Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) as a proactive measure to enhance our cyber security defence offerings.

NGAV goes beyond traditional antivirus software by leveraging advanced techniques such as behaviour-based detection, machine learning algorithms, and real-time threat intelligence. This enables us to detect and prevent both known and unknown threats, including zero-day attacks that pose a significant risk.  This combined with our hosted SoC solutions provides a highly secure, proactive threat hunting set of defences for ourselves and our clients.

The behaviour-based approach allows us to identify suspicious activities and block malicious behaviour before it can cause harm to business systems and compromise valuable data.

In summary, Next Generation Anti-Virus empowers us to stay one step ahead of cyber threats, detect and prevent advanced attacks, and safeguard our critical assets. NGAV has become an essential investment for all businesses in their cyber security arsenal.”


Russell Henderson, Technical Director

Why Should Organisations Implement Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV)?

Implementing NGAV offers several benefits and advantages for organisations looking to enhance their cybersecurity posture and protect against data breaches:

Proactive threat detection and response: NGAV provides proactive threat detection capabilities, allowing organisations to identify and respond to potential threats before they can cause significant damage. By continuously monitoring the behaviour of files and processes, NGAV can detect and block malicious activity in real-time, minimising the risk of a successful attack.

Advanced threat protection: NGAV is designed to detect and prevent advanced and zero-day attacks, which traditional antivirus solutions often struggle with. With its behaviour-based detection and machine learning algorithms, NGAV can identify and block previously unseen malware strains and sophisticated attack techniques.

Reduced false positives: Traditional antivirus software often generates false positives, flagging legitimate files and processes as malicious. This can lead to unnecessary disruptions and resource-intensive investigations. NGAV, on the other hand, reduces false positives by using advanced techniques to accurately identify and block malicious activity, minimising the impact on legitimate operations.

Enhanced system performance: NGAV is designed to have a minimal impact on system performance. Unlike traditional antivirus solutions that require frequent updates and resource-intensive scans, NGAV leverages real-time threat intelligence to stay up to date with the latest threats, reducing the need for frequent updates and minimising the impact on system performance.

Complementary to existing security infrastructure: NGAV is designed to work alongside existing security infrastructure, complementing and enhancing the overall security posture of an organisation. It can integrate with other security solutions, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and security information and event management (SIEM) platforms, providing a layered defence strategy.

By implementing NGAV, organisations can significantly strengthen their cybersecurity defences, detect and prevent advanced attacks, and safeguard their valuable data and assets. With its advanced features and capabilities, NGAV is undoubtedly a crucial component of any comprehensive cybersecurity strategy.

"Trustack understands the paramount importance of maintaining the trust and confidence of our customers when it comes to the security of their data. Cyber threats continue to evolve and pose significant risks to businesses like ours. That's why we have made the strategic decision to implement Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) as a critical component of our cyber security strategy.

NGAV offers us a proactive approach to combating modern cyber threats that traditional antivirus solutions struggle to address effectively. By leveraging advanced techniques such as behaviour-based detection, machine learning algorithms, and real-time threat intelligence, NGAV provides us with enhanced capabilities to detect and prevent sophisticated attacks.

By investing in NGAV as part of our stack, we have demonstrated our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of data security for our clients. This not only gives us a competitive edge but also instils confidence in our customers that their sensitive information is safeguarded. 

In conclusion, Next Generation Anti-Virus has become a vital investment for us as a commercial organisation. It empowers us to proactively protect against modern cyber threats, ensuring the security and trust of our customers. NGAV provides us with the peace of mind that we are taking the necessary steps to safeguard our business and maintain our position as a trusted partner in the digital landscape."


Phil Cambers, Commercial Director

Conclusion

Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) offers organisations a powerful and effective solution to combat cyber threats and prevent data breaches. By implementing NGAV, organisations can enhance their cyber security posture, detect and prevent advanced attacks, and safeguard their valuable data and assets. With its advanced features and capabilities, NGAV is undoubtedly a crucial component of any comprehensive cyber security strategy.

FAQs

What is the difference between traditional Anti-Virus (AV) and Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV)?

Traditional antivirus software looks for known malware by comparing files to a database of known malware signatures. This is a good way to protect against known malware, but it's not as good at protecting against new malware that hasn't been seen before.

Next generation antivirus (NGAV) goes beyond signature-based detection. It also uses behavioural detection and machine learning to identify malware. Behavioural detection looks for suspicious behaviour, such as changes to system files or processes. Machine learning uses artificial intelligence (AI) to learn how malware behaves and then it looks for new malware that exhibits a similar behaviour.

This means that NGAV can offer better protection against new malware than traditional antivirus software. It can also have fewer false positives, which means that it's less likely to flag legitimate files as malware.

Selecting the right solution for your organisation can depend on many factors such as specific needs and budget so it’s always best to speak to experts in cyber security to help navigate these decisions.

What are the benefits of Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV)?

Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) offers several benefits over traditional antivirus software. With the use of machine learning to learn how malware behaves it can offer better protection against malware threats. This in conjunction with behavioural detection techniques means that the number of false positives are reduced as NGAV is less likely to flag a legitimate file as malicious.

Can Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) prevent zero-day attacks?

Yes, Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) can prevent zero-day attacks. A zero-day attack refers to a vulnerability or exploit that is unknown to the software vendor or has not yet been patched. NGAV leverages machine learning algorithms and behaviour-based detection to identify and block zero-day attacks, even if they have never been seen before. By analysing the behaviour and characteristics of files and processes, NGAV can detect suspicious activity and prevent zero-day attacks from compromising the system. This ability to proactively identify and block previously unseen threats makes NGAV an effective solution for protecting against zero-day attacks.

Is Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) compatible with existing security infrastructure?

Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) is designed to work alongside existing security infrastructure. It is compatible with other security solutions, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and security information and event management (SIEM) platforms. NGAV can integrate with these technologies, complementing and enhancing the overall security posture of an organisation. By working in harmony with existing security infrastructure, NGAV provides a layered defence strategy that improves the organisation's ability to detect and respond to threats effectively.

Does Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) require frequent updates like traditional antivirus software?

NGAV leverages real-time threat intelligence to stay up to date with the latest threats and does not require frequent updates like traditional antivirus software. Traditional antivirus software often relies on signature updates to detect new threats, which can be resource-intensive and require frequent updates. NGAV, on the other hand, uses real-time threat intelligence, which includes information about the latest malware strains, vulnerabilities, and attack vectors. This approach ensures that NGAV is always equipped with the most up-to-date information, minimising the need for frequent updates and reducing the impact on system performance.

Can Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) detect and prevent insider threats?

Yes, Next Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) can detect and prevent insider threats. Insider threats refer to malicious activities carried out by individuals within an organisation, such as employees or contractors. NGAV can detect insider threats by monitoring user behaviour and identifying anomalous activities that may indicate malicious intent. For example, if an employee suddenly accesses sensitive files or attempts to transfer large amounts of data, NGAV can flag this activity as suspicious and trigger an alert. By providing visibility into user behaviour, NGAV helps organisations detect and prevent insider threats, reducing the risk of data breaches and insider attacks.

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About the Authors
Emma Phillips

Marketing Executive

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