Best Endpoint Protection Software for Businesses
Neil Hare-Brown- Apr 25
- 4 min read
With cyber threats becoming more sophisticated - and employees working from everywhere - strong endpoint protection has never been more critical.
But with dozens of tools out there, it can be hard to know what actually works, and what just ticks a box.
This guide breaks down what makes great endpoint protection, what features to prioritise, and which tools are trusted by security professionals and incident response teams like ours.
Please note: STORM does not recommend or have agency partnerships with any specific Endpoint Protection solution and we hope that our independence will help in providing you with the best possible guidance when making your choice.
Avoiding Conflicts of Interest When Sourcing Cybersecurity Solutions
Before we begin, just a quick point to make about all cybersecurity solutions vendors, be they Endpoint Protection or others.
Cyber risk management is no different to many other disciplines and processes - for instance financial control - in that it only works properly when duties are properly segregated. In cyber, the broad segregation needs to occur between A. implementation/monitoring and B. assessment/investigation.
An evolution that has taken place in the last 10 years is that many cyber solutions vendors have developed business models that break the important need for segregation. They offer solutions, help with implementation, monitor their performance and output, review configurations and respond to incidents that their solutions both detect and - importantly - do not detect. They are, in effect, marking their own homework. The risk here is that they may be opaque about failings in the services they deliver and this can have serious consequences on loss to an organisation. Endpoint Protection vendors (what used to be known as Anti-Virus) are a good example of this one-stop-shop business model so it is important to ask questions about conflicts of interest and independence when sourcing such solutions.
What Is Endpoint Protection?
Endpoint protection (or endpoint security) is the software installed on company devices — laptops, desktops, servers — that helps detect, block, and respond to cyber threats.
Modern tools go beyond basic antivirus. They now include:
Behaviour-based detection (to spot unknown malware)
Ransomware protection and rollback
Real-time alerting and response
Cloud-based management dashboards
Integration with wider security platforms
Some tools are standalone, while others form part of extended detection and response (XDR) or managed security services.
What to Look for in Business Endpoint Protection
When reviewing endpoint protection software, focus on the following capabilities:
✅ Behavioural detection
Looks for unusual actions, not just known malware signatures — helping catch new or customised threats.
✅ Ransomware rollback
Allows you to restore systems and files quickly if ransomware is detected and blocked in time.
✅ Centralised management
Gives your IT team or MSP visibility across all devices — ideal for remote or hybrid teams.
✅ Real-time alerting
Notifies you instantly of any suspicious activity, so action can be taken fast.
✅ Cloud-native or hybrid architecture
Fast deployment, scalable, and often better performance than legacy solutions.
✅ Protected disabling or uninstalling capability
Features that make the solution itself resilient to attack by cybercriminals.
Trusted Endpoint Protection Tools for Business
Here’s a list of endpoint protection platforms we frequently see in successful security environments — and that we’ve seen hold up during real-world incidents:
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Native to Windows environments, powerful with proper configuration and supported by Microsoft 365 Defender.
CrowdStrike Falcon Cloud-native, highly regarded for threat intelligence and speed.
SentinelOne AI-powered, good for autonomous detection and rollback capabilities.
Sophos Intercept X Strong ransomware protection, good for SMBs and mid-market with clear dashboards.
Bitdefender GravityZone Solid all-round performance, known for good detection rates and lower system impact.
ESET PROTECT / Trend Micro Apex One Trusted by many mid-sized businesses with strong endpoint control features.
Note: No tool is perfect — effectiveness depends on configuration, updates, and your broader security posture.
What About Managed Endpoint Protection?
If your business doesn’t have an in-house security team, a managed endpoint protection service may be the better option. These services typically include:
Deployment and configuration
Ongoing monitoring and alert triage
Rapid incident response
Regular updates and reporting
STORM Guidance can help you evaluate tools, navigate implementation, or connect you with a trusted MDR (Managed Detection and Response) partner.
Endpoint Protection Is Just One Layer
Even the best endpoint protection is not a silver bullet. Combine it with:
Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Regular patching and updates
Phishing awareness training
Encrypted backups
A tested cyber incident response plan
For help building a layered cyber defence strategy, visit our cybersecurity incident response page or talk to our team.
How STORM Guidance Can Help
✔ Independent security product advice
✔ Incident response and breach investigation
✔ Threat actor engagement for ransomware or malware incidents
✔ Endpoint protection review and tuning
✔ Cyber incident exercising and readiness reviews
Choose Tools That Actually Protect — Not Just Promise
It’s easy to buy endpoint software.
It’s harder to choose something that works in the real world — when threats are live, users are remote, and time is critical.
STORM Guidance can help you cut through the noise and build defences that actually defend.
