When it comes to security in the enterprise, software and hardware solutions need to work together with their enterprise environment in order to maximize the safety of corporate data stores. Chances are, you have several different hardware options in place to help secure your company’s data, but which software solutions are you using to support on-premises and cloud infrastructure?
Enterprise technology has significantly expanded its portfolio in recent years, particularly with the number of available computing environments and devices that offer different levels of native security. A growing number of companies have begun experimenting with cloud computing, edge computing, the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence, all different technologies that create more flexibility in the areas of storage and tooling.
But these technologies also open up more vulnerable entry points for malicious actors. As companies look to expand their toolset while securing it simultaneously, many are turning to endpoint security solutions for an additional layer of protection. To help you find a potential solution for your endpoint security needs, we’ve focused this enterprise product comparison on two top products in the category: Symantec Endpoint Security and McAfee Total Protection.
Also read: Endpoint Security: It’s Way More Complicated than You Think
Symantec Endpoint Security vs. McAfee Total Protection Comparison Chart
Features Symantec Endpoint Security McAfee Total Protection
Market focus Enterprise; other package levels available Enterprise; other package levels available with a very private consumer-driven approach
Security-specific features Endpoint detection and response (EDR)
Secure VPN licensing
Artificial intelligence security management Antivirus
Targeted attack analytics and threat hunter Firewall password manager
Network firewall and intrusion prevention File shredder
Automated policy management Identity protection service
Behavioral insights Site blocking on browsers
Single cloud console management available Bandwidth optimization tools
AI-guided policy update recommendations and automation Identity theft insurance
Available integrations Integration with third-party applications, including Microsoft Graph, Open C2, and other Symantec solutions through Symantec ICDx This particular product does not clearly advertise specific integrations
However, McAfee has significantly expanded their enterprise integrations and offerings through their Marketplace and Developer Portal features
System requirements and compatible devices Devices: Compatible with laptops, desktops, servers, tablets, and mobile devices
Devices: Compatible with laptops, desktops, tablets, and mobile devices
Operating Systems: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android compatibility Operating Systems: Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android compatibility
Deployment Environments: on-premises, cloud-managed, and hybrid models Browsers: Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, and Microsoft Edge compatibility
Required hardware: 2GB RAM, 500MB free drive space, and 1GHz processor
Available support Support and recommendations provided by Global Intelligence Network (GIN)
24/7 security expert availability
Customer support portal, documentation, customer cases, learning video library, and knowledge base Podcast and blog
Professional and education services available VPN setup
Various support communities available Community forums available
Security in the news: Yet Another Security Headache, This Time From Messaging Apps
Symantec Endpoint Security vs McAfee Total Protection
Finding the right software solution in the security space isn’t nearly as easy as it should be, considering the wide variety of siloed and specialized solutions that don’t always work together well. Our goal with this comparison is to aid your decision-making process by giving you a one-stop resource to compare what these security platforms can do across a variety of categories.
Both Symantec and McAfee offer competitive solutions when it comes to enterprise endpoint security, especially since they offer more holistic security protections rather than siloed security verticals.
The biggest challenge for many enterprises is not only finding the right security solution, but successfully managing that tool and scaling it up and down as their needs change over time. Regardless of which tool you choose, consider working with managed security service providers (MSSPs), or hiring additional staff with expertise in those tools.
Top-tier cybersecurity products and their vendors can do a lot of the legwork, but over time, security tools are only as effective as the teams that monitor and manage them.
Additional Resources
For additional top solutions and resources for enterprise security management, take a look at these cybersecurity articles and resources:
