Reasons Traditional Antivirus Is Not Enough For Cybersecurity: The Rise of EDR

The latest Global Threat Report by CrowdStrike reveals 79% of cyber attacks were malware free in 2024. In 2019, non-malware attacks were only 40%- a clear indicator that modern threats are bypassing traditional (legacy) antivirus solutions, making them less effective in the cybersecurity landscape. Today’s threats are adaptive, fileless and they don’t leave fingerprints, which legacy antivirus relies on to detect them. This gap AVs leaves behind has contributed to the rise of a new hero: EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response).

This modern defender takes a proactive approach to monitor endpoint activities, recognize suspicious behavior, and enable prompt response to security incidents. Below we’ll dive deep into why traditional AV tools are not sufficient and why EDR is rising as a robust defense solution for incidents like the dark web, IoT attacks, and cloud computing breaches- top cyber threats you should be aware of. 

Cybercrime Is Ever-growing And Getting Smarter

One person becomes a victim to a cybercrime activity once every 11 seconds, according to Exploding Topics latest statistics. With fileless malware, advanced persistent threats (APTs) and zero-day exploits becoming more prevalent, individuals and businesses are at a high risk of losing data unknowingly. Such attacks operate without using an executable file, which makes them invisible and hard to trace inside tech systems because traditional security solutions can only scan what’s visible. 

What Endpoint Detection and Response does is monitor endpoints like servers, laptops, and desktops continuously for unusual activities and stop potential threats before they cause harm. Using advanced analytics (behavioral analysis, artificial intelligence, and machine learning) EDR platforms detect complex threats and neutralize them quickly. Plus, these modern defense tools have automated response features, which isolate compromised devices, block malicious viruses, and prevent risks. 

Surging Non-Human Based Error Attacks

Often, cyber incidents occur because of a human error- someone tricked through social engineering (phishing) to share system passwords or clicks a downloadable malicious file. Some threats don’t trick people, they hijack devices and unknowingly individuals download malicious files. Through malvertising, for instance, hackers execute a web script on your devices, so you’ll think an ad is safe because it’s on a legitimate site. You click on it and a malicious virus installs in your device. Since conventional security tools assume everything inside a device or network is trustworthy, you can’t tell there’s a threat until it’s too late. 

Here’s where EDR steps in, providing Zero Trust for endpoints. This tactic functions on the “never trust, always verify” principle. It involves a broad, active approach that implements strict access controls, monitors device behavior in real-time, and segments networks with next-gen firewall tools. By segmenting, isolating, and controlling devices, for instance, EDR blocks unauthorized access and data breaches caused by malware infection. 

Cyberattack Breakouts Are Fast

The CrowdStrike report says it takes less than 51 seconds for a cyber attack to break out. At this speed, companies and individuals require tools that monitor endpoints 24/7 to respond promptly to incidents. EDR is one tool that continuously monitors systems and responds fast to attacks unlike conventional antiviruses that need to collect data manually to identify a threat, allowing malware or viruses to lurk in systems for months. EDR utilizes machine learning to recognize patterns of known threats or suspicious activities in real time as they break out. It also automates responses based on predefined rules created by security teams or learned by machine learning. EDR’s automated incident responses disconnect an endpoint device or log out an end user from the network. Note, it's at endpoint devices where 70% of successful data breaches occur, according to a report shared by IBM. EDR also alerts security teams to potential threats and triggers antivirus or anti-malware solutions to scan for attacks on endpoints. 

Cybercriminals are more innovative, designing automated and AI generated threats that bypass traditional antiviruses. To protect personal and company systems, it’s crucial to shift to advanced solutions that protect endpoints continuously and spot attacks in real-time. EDR does this, creates zero trust defenses to stop attacks, and automates data-driven threat responses to mitigate cyber incidents.