Introducing adaptive active adversary

Issue 1 2023 Information Security, Products & Solutions

Sophos has introduced advances to its portfolio of endpoint security offerings. New adaptive active adversary protection; Linux malware protection enhancements; account health check capabilities; an integrated zero trust network access (ZTNA) agent for Windows and macOS devices; and improved frontline defences against advanced cyberthreats and streamline endpoint security management.

“Ransomware remains one of the most prevalent and damaging cyberthreats to organisations, with Sophos incident responders still consistently remediating ransomware activity worldwide. Now isn’t the time for organisations to let their guard down because of any perceived reduction in attacks; in fact, they should be strengthening defences as attacks are now more intricate and difficult to detect, requiring advanced security techniques that can sense and then quickly adapt to better protect themselves,” said Raja Patel, Senior Vice President of Products at Sophos.

Designed to improve protection and operational efficiency, as well as speed up detection and response, the new Sophos endpoint innovations include:

• Adaptive active adversary protection: A core part of Sophos’ ‘shields up’ design methodology that provides defenders with additional time needed to respond to targeted attacks underway. Sophos Intercept X immediately enables heightened defences as soon as it detects a ‘hands-on-keyboard’ endpoint intrusion. This wide-reaching step up in defensive measures removes an attacker’s ability to take further actions by minimising the attack surface, disrupting and containing the attack prior to response team engagement, and providing insights needed for complete remediation.

• Linux malware protection enhancements: On-access malware scanning and quarantine capabilities improve real-time prevention of security incidents within Linux operating environments. Added to the Sophos Intercept X Advanced for Server offering, these new features complement existing functionality, including live runtime detections and response to container escapes, cryptominers, data destruction, and kernel exploits.

• Account health check: Intuitive, real-time health check monitoring of security configurations and policy settings with the ability to automatically return to recommended settings in a single click, optimising security posture and enabling organisations to promptly re-establish security best practices. Assessments ensure devices are running the necessary security components, policies are following recommended settings, tamper protection is active, exclusions are not creating attack surface exposure, and more.

• Integrated ZTNA agent for Windows and macOS devices: Sophos Intercept X is one of the only endpoint protection solutions with a modular ZTNA agent, and organisations can now extend defences to include Sophos ZTNA across entire estates without deploying an additional agent.

• Faster, lightweight agent: Reduces the Windows agent’s memory footprint by 40% and the number of processes by more than 30%, accelerating the performance of applications, workloads and devices. Sophos has also introduced a new extended detection and response (XDR) sensor deployment option that is approximately 80% lighter than the previous full agent.

Sophos XDR gives security analysts the ability to proactively hunt threats, providing faster detection, investigation and response to drive better security outcomes. Sophos endpoint offerings also include server workload protection for server and container security and integrated web and application controls; Sophos Mobile for secure unified endpoint management; and Sophos Encryption for full disk encryption.

Sophos’ complete and integrated portfolio of endpoint, network and cloud solutions and managed security services are part of the Sophos Adaptive Cybersecurity Ecosystem; powered by threat intelligence from Sophos X-Ops for faster, contextual and synchronised protection, detection and response.




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Highest increase in global cyberattacks in two years
Information Security News & Events
Check Point Global Research released new data on Q2 2024 cyber-attack trends, noting a 30% global increase in Q2 2024, with Africa experiencing the highest average weekly per organisation.

Read more...
From wireless alarms to smart homes
Elvey Security Technologies Perimeter Security, Alarms & Intruder Detection Products & Solutions
The final brand SMART Security Solutions features in its discussions with companies operating in South and southern Africa’s detection and alerting technologies market is DSC, distributed in the region by Elvey Security Technologies.

Read more...
The AX Hybrid PRO Series offers reliable wired and wireless protection
Hikvision South Africa Editor's Choice Perimeter Security, Alarms & Intruder Detection Products & Solutions
Hikvision has announced the launch of a new AX Hybrid PRO alarm system with innovative Hikvision ‘Speed-X’ transmission technology. This system offers reliable wired protection while delivering expanded flexibility with seamless wireless integration.

Read more...
Advanced Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems
XtraVision OPTEX Technews Publishing Modular Communications Perimeter Security, Alarms & Intruder Detection Integrated Solutions Products & Solutions
Making full use of fibre installations around the perimeter by adding Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems means you can easily add another layer of security to existing surveillance and fencing systems.

Read more...
There is a SaaS for everything, but at what cost, especially to SMEs?
Editor's Choice Information Security Security Services & Risk Management
Relying on SaaS platforms presents significant cybersecurity risks as the number of providers in your landscape increases, expanding your attack surface. It is important to assess the strength of the SaaS providers in your chain.

Read more...
Addressing today’s mining challenges: cyber risks beyond IT
Editor's Choice Information Security Mining (Industry)
Despite the mining industry’s operational technology systems being vulnerable to cyberattacks, many decision-makers still see these threats as purely an IT issue, even though a breach could potentially disrupt mining operations.

Read more...
Get proactive with cybersecurity
Information Security
The ability to respond effectively to a cybersecurity breach is critical, but the missing piece of the puzzle is a thorough, proactive evaluation to ascertain weaknesses and identify any hidden threats.

Read more...
Smart intercoms are transforming access control
Access Control & Identity Management Products & Solutions
Smart intercoms have emerged as a pivotal tool in modern access control. They provide a seamless and secure way to manage entry points without the need for traditional security guards to validate visitors before granting them access.

Read more...
How to effectively share household devices
Smart Home Automation Information Security
Sharing electronic devices within a household is unavoidable. South African teens spend over eight hours per day online, making device sharing among family members commonplace. Fortunately, there are methods to guarantee safe usage for everyone.

Read more...
How to securely manage your digital footprint
Information Security Training & Education
Managing your online presence is critical to safeguarding your privacy and security. It is imperative to take a proactive approach, including using robust cybersecurity best practices.

Read more...