EDR for Small Businesses

Traditional signature-based antivirus catches known malware — but modern attacks use fileless techniques, living-off-the-land binaries, and zero-day exploits that bypass signature detection entirely. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) goes beyond antivirus: - Behavioral analysis detects suspicious activity patterns, not just known signatures - Real-time monitoring watches for indicators of compromise continuously - Automated response can isolate compromised endpoints instantly - Forensic data provides investigation capability after an incident - Managed detection adds human analysts reviewing alerts 24/7 Cyber insurance carriers have shifted from requiring "antivirus" to requiring "EDR or equivalent." This is not a terminology change — it's a fundamental shift in the minimum acceptable endpoint protection.

For SMBs, the leading EDR options are: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint — Included with Microsoft 365 Business Premium ($22/user/mo). Best option for Microsoft-centric businesses. Excellent integration, solid detection, carrier-accepted. SentinelOne — Strong autonomous detection. Good for businesses wanting best-in-class protection. Pricing starts around $6-8/endpoint/mo through MSPs. CrowdStrike Falcon Go — Premium EDR with industry-leading detection. More expensive ($8-15/endpoint/mo) but top carrier preference. Huntress — Designed specifically for SMBs and MSPs. Managed detection with human review. Excellent for businesses without security staff. All four are accepted by cyber insurance carriers. Choose based on your existing technology stack, budget, and whether you have IT staff to manage alerts.

Most carriers now require EDR as a condition of coverage. During underwriting, carriers typically: 1. Ask which EDR solution you use (brand name required) 2. Verify deployment coverage (all endpoints, not just some) 3. Check for managed detection and response (MDR) capability 4. Confirm automated response policies are enabled Cyber Defense Agent doesn't scan for EDR directly (it's an endpoint control, not an external-facing one), but our framework mapping identifies where EDR fits in your overall compliance posture.