Antivirus, firewall, EDR: the essential kit for modern security

By 2025, cybersecurity has gone from being a purely technical topic to a strategic issue for any organization. Attacks like ransomware, phishing, and zero-day exploits are forcing companies of all sizes to adopt a layered approach, based on an essential security kit: antivirus, firewall, and EDR.

Anti-virus: the first line of defense

Antivirus is the best-known component. Its classic function is to detect and block known malware using signature databases and heuristic analysis.

Today, a good antivirus goes beyond that, integrating artificial intelligence to identify suspicious files or malicious behavior.

Real example:

• Microsoft Defender has evolved from a simple antivirus to a comprehensive product with behavioral analysis, sandboxing, and cloud integration for threat intelligence.

• Bitdefender GravityZone offers enterprise protection with centralized management and policy control on remote endpoints.

Although often underestimated, antivirus software remains essential for blocking known malware and preventing automated infections, which are still a common cause of incidents.

Firewall: Controlling the Perimeter (and Beyond)

The firewall is the network's "gatekeeper." Traditionally, it filters traffic between the internal network and the internet, blocking unauthorized access.

Today, firewalls have evolved into Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs), combining deep packet inspection, intrusion detection, application control, and even integration with cloud intelligence.

Real example:

• Fortinet FortiGate lets you segment networks, enforce granular policies, and inspect encrypted traffic.

• Palo Alto Networks NGFW integrates advanced threat detection and application control to prevent lateral movement and sophisticated attacks.

In corporate networks, firewalls also support secure VPNs, which are essential for remote work.

EDR: The Evolution of Endpoint Protection

EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) represents the most advanced layer of this "kit." It goes beyond prevention: it focuses on detecting, investigating, and responding to attacks that manage to bypass traditional defenses.

An EDR continuously monitors endpoint behavior, looking for signs of suspicious or malicious activity. If detected, it enables an automatic response (isolation, process removal) or detailed forensic investigation.

Real example:

• CrowdStrike Falcon uses lightweight agents with cloud intelligence to block threats and enable rapid incident response.

• SentinelOne Singularity combines EDR with automation, enabling autonomous response in seconds.

EDR is critical in a scenario where attackers use “living off the land” techniques (using legitimate tools like PowerShell or RDP) to move around the network without triggering traditional alarms.

The importance of a layered approach

A common mistake is to think that one of these tools replaces the others. In practice, they complement each other:

• Anti-virus covers known malware and mass attacks.

• Firewall prevents unauthorized external access and segments networks.

• EDR detects and responds to sophisticated attacks that bypass defenses.

Successful cybersecurity companies combine these tools with solid access management policies, user training, regular updates, and tested backups.

The "essential kit" for modern security—antivirus, firewall, and EDR—isn't a luxury: it's a basic necessity to reduce risk in a world of constant threats.

In a context where an attack can cost millions in ransoms, reputation damage, and operational disruption, investing in a layered security architecture is a strategic decision—and often a requirement to continue operating securely and reliably.