Over the past several months, ITS has been testing and rolling out a new antivirus solution to protect W&L’s Windows-based computers. In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, selecting the right protection for university Windows machines is crucial. While Microsoft Defender offers robust, built-in security, we have chosen Next-Generation Antivirus (NGAV) from Rapid7 to replace Defender due to several compelling advantages.
Why NGAV from Rapid7
Advanced Threat Detection: NGAV leverages machine learning and behavioral analysis to detect sophisticated threats that traditional antivirus solutions might miss. This proactive approach helps identify and mitigate zero-day attacks and advanced persistent threats (APTs) more effectively.
Comprehensive Coverage: NGAV solutions include additional features such as endpoint detection and response (EDR), which provides deeper visibility into potential threats and faster incident response. This holistic approach ensures that all aspects of your system are monitored and protected.
Cloud Integration: NGAV solutions are cloud-based, allowing for real-time updates and threat intelligence sharing. This ensures that protection is always up-to-date with the latest threat data, providing a more dynamic and responsive defense mechanism.
What Will Users See?
Aside from no longer receiving scan updates from Microsoft Defender on a routine basis, users will likely not notice any functional differences in the performance of their Windows computers. Should you have any questions about this change, please contact the ITS Helpdesk at X4357 or help@wlu.edu.
Coming Soon to Mac and Linux
ITS has begun testing NGAV on Mac and Linux systems to ensure full compatibility with these operating systems. Performance and functionality are being evaluated to confirm there are no impacts on resource usage, to verify that all NGAV features work as intended, and to ensure that NGAV provides the same level of protection on Mac as it does on Windows, thereby maintaining consistent security across all devices.
