Every computer in your facility runs some kind of security software, but not all of it does the same job. For years, antivirus products relied mainly on recognizing known malicious files. Attackers adapted by using techniques that do not look like traditional viruses, such as stolen credentials, built-in system tools and fileless attacks. As a result, the industry has moved toward endpoint detection and response, usually called EDR.
This guide explains the difference in plain language and offers questions to ask when choosing protection.
Classic antivirus compares files against a database of known threats and blocks matches. Modern versions add behavior checks and cloud intelligence. It remains useful for catching common malware, but it is mostly preventive and may offer limited visibility if something gets past it.
EDR software continuously records activity on the computer, such as which programs start, what they connect to and what changes they make. It then analyzes that activity for suspicious patterns. Key capabilities typically include:
Detection of behavior, not just known files, such as a program trying to encrypt many files rapidly
Investigation tools that show how an attack began and what it touched
Response actions, such as isolating an infected computer from the network with one click
Remote remediation, such as killing a process or rolling back changes
Central visibility across all devices from a single console
In short, antivirus asks whether a file is known to be bad. EDR asks whether the computer is behaving in a way that suggests an attack.
EDR generates alerts, and alerts only help if someone reviews and acts on them. Smaller facilities often lack security staff who can watch around the clock. That is why many organizations pair EDR with managed detection and response, or MDR, a service in which a security team monitors alerts and takes action on your behalf. Ask who will respond at 2 a.m. on a Sunday.
Ransomware can spread fast, and early isolation of one affected machine may prevent a facility-wide outage.
Insurers increasingly ask whether you have EDR and whether it is monitored.
HIPAA's Security Rule expects protection from malicious software and reasonable monitoring of system activity.
Staff on shared workstations may click things, and layered detection helps catch the consequences.
Does it support our operating systems, including older ones we still run?
Does it cover servers as well as workstations?
What about tablets and phones?
How much computing power does it use? Older shared workstations on the nursing floor may struggle with heavy agents.
Has it been tested with our EHR and other clinical applications? Ask about known compatibility issues and exclusions.
Is there a central console, and can our IT provider manage it?
Can we get reports for auditors and insurers?
How are updates handled?
Is 24-hour monitoring included or optional?
What actions will the team take without asking us first, and what requires approval?
How quickly do they respond to a confirmed threat?
Who has access to our data, and where is it stored?
Is pricing per device, and how does it handle devices that come and go?
Will the vendor sign a business associate agreement if the service could encounter PHI?
What is the term, and how do we exit?
EDR is powerful but not a replacement for patching, multi-factor authentication, backups and user training. It is one layer in a defense that also includes email filtering, network segmentation and access controls.
Pilot on a small group, including a shared nursing workstation, before deploying everywhere.
Remove or replace the old antivirus properly, since running two competing products can cause problems.
Define exclusions carefully with clinical software vendors.
Confirm that every device reports in, and chase down the ones that do not.
Tune alerts during the first weeks to reduce noise.
If your facility still relies on a free or basic antivirus without monitoring, upgrading to managed EDR is one of the more impactful security investments you can make. UnityCare IT deploys and manages endpoint protection for healthcare organizations and can help you compare options. We are glad to review what you have now and recommend a sensible next step.
Call or text: 405-285-3845
New customers: start@unitycareit.com
Existing customers: support@unitycareit.com
Address: UnityCare Technologies, 2524 N Broadway Ste 554, PMB 947974, Edmond, Oklahoma 73034-4172