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Multi-layered Security – Bitdefender TechZone

Abstract

Protect your organization with our multi-layered security platform. Prevent attacks, block threats, detect incidents, and respond effectively.

Over time, only a handful of security strategies have stood the test of numerous real-world attacks. Successful strategies, such as zero trust and defense in depth, share a common approach; they rely on implementing multiple layers of security measures and operate under the assumption that no system can ever be completely secure.

The first step in adopting a multi-layered strategy is mastering prevention capabilities. Try to limit the exposed attack surface and minimize the number of entry points that threat actors can use. Identify and correct weaknesses first by implementing patch and risk management solutions, before threat actors can exploit them

Automated protection controls are deployed to all potential entry points exposed to threat actors (including work-from-home laptops for roaming employees). This includes next-generation antivirus, but also seamlessly integrated IP/URL/Domain reputation, and protection against previously unknown threats. This gives you the capability to detect and block most security incidents before they can do any harm.

Despite your best efforts, it is still possible that modern threat actors will make it past your prevention and protection controls. This is where your detection capabilities come into play. Whether you get these capabilities as-a-product (EDR/XDR) or as-a-service (MDR), the purpose is to minimize the time when threat actors remain undetected.

Finally, for all these capabilities to effectively reduce security risks, you need to maintain response capabilities across all of them. Whether it means applying patches before vulnerabilities can be exploited, investigating a potential security incident, or damage control after a security breach, security operations play a critical role in reducing security risks.

The use of multiple layers of security creates overlapping barriers that an attacker must overcome, which can reduce the likelihood of successful attacks, limit the scope of an attack if one occurs, and provide early warning of potential threats. Ultimately, preventing security incidents from becoming security breaches.

Multi-layered Security

GravityZone Platform

Deploying a defense-in-depth architecture is crucial for safeguarding against modern cyber attacks, but for organizations lacking enterprise resources, it can be a daunting task. Our goal with the GravityZone platform is to help companies of all sizes implement a defense-in-depth architecture and become cyber-resilient by providing access to enterprise-grade security capabilities without introducing a management burden

GravityZone platform

GravityZone is a consolidated platform with a single agent and a single console. Managing multiple security products from different vendors is a daunting task and requires significant resources to maintain. A single platform can consolidate security controls and streamline security management, reducing the risk of misconfigurations or gaps in coverage.

When using multiple security products, it is challenging to correlate events between products to assemble security incidents and identify the root cause in a timely manner. Our consolidated platform provides enhanced visibility and event correlation. A key feature is Incident Advisor, which starts with a single-page overview of incidents. It provides comprehensive information about the incident, including what happened, how it happened, which organizational resources were affected, and recommended actions that can be executed with just a single click.

Incident Advisor​

In the next section, we will briefly describe each of the security layers. Detailed information about each layer is available in the dedicated sections in the Security Layers module.

Prevention

The prevention pillar of GravityZone is focused on defeating attacks before they can do any damage. These technologies work together to prevent malicious code from infecting endpoints and spreading throughout the network. To learn more we recommend reading the article Prevention.

Patch Management

Patch management is a critical component of any security strategy, as it helps to eliminate vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit to gain unauthorized access to a system. By ensuring that all software and operating systems are up to date with the latest security patches, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of a successful cyberattack. To learn more we recommend reading the article Patch Management.

Risk Management

Risk management allows administrators to identify assets that are at high risk and take appropriate action to prevent potential incidents. Analyzing vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and user risky behavior across the organization provides a comprehensive view of the security landscape and enables administrators to make informed decisions about where to allocate resources and prioritize remediation efforts. To learn more we recommend reading the article Risk Management.

Full Disk Encryption

Full Disk Encryption offers an additional layer of protection for sensitive data stored on company devices, such as laptops or desktops. Encrypting the entire hard drive ensures that in the event of a device being lost or stolen, the data remains protected and cannot be accessed by unauthorized users. To learn more we recommend reading the article Full Disk Encryption.

Device Control

Device Control lets administrators prevent unauthorized devices, such as USB drives or external hard drives, from being connected to company devices. Controlling external devices helps organizations minimize the risk of security breaches and enhance protection for sensitive information and systems. To learn more we recommend reading the article Device Control.

Application Control

Bitdefender on-premise GravityZone offers Application Control to minimize malware attack vectors and prevent the execution of harmful or undesired applications. It actively enforces rules and permissions, providing administrators with configuration flexibility. To learn more we recommend reading the article Application Control.

Content Control

Content Control provides prevention benefits by allowing organizations to restrict access to certain types of content and enforce policies to ensure that employees do not engage in inappropriate or risky online behavior. With this module, organizations can block access to websites, and applications, or prevent unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data based on defined rules. To learn more we recommend reading the article Content Control.

Protection

The protection pillar of GravityZone is focused on protecting endpoints against known and unknown threats. These technologies help to block unauthorized access to endpoints and prevent the loss or theft of sensitive data. To learn more we recommend reading the article Protection.

Email Protection

Email Protection provides a comprehensive set of features for protecting organizations against email-based threats. By filtering out spam, scanning for malware, filtering URLs, and sandboxing attachments. Email Protection can be realized on different levels, user level, exchange integration, and any type of email server (including Microsoft 365) based on MX configuration. To learn more we recommend reading the article Email Protection.

Network Protection

Network Protection is a comprehensive solution that provides advanced threat detection and prevention capabilities for network services. It protects against several types of attacks, including malware, ransomware, network and server-based exploits detection, brute force attacks, lateral movement, and many more by using multiple layers of security. To learn more we recommend reading the article Network Protection.

Malware Protection

Malware protection provides advanced security features that help protect against several types of malware, including viruses, Trojans, worms, ransomware, and other malicious software. Its multi-layered approach to malware protection includes behavioral analysis, machine learning algorithms, and real-time threat intelligence to detect and block threats before they can cause damage. Together with the heuristic mechanism (Hyper Detect), it can protect against advanced attacks and suspicious activities in the pre-execution stage. To learn more we recommend reading the article Malware Protection.

Process Protection

Protection is a module that provides advanced protection against process tampering and code injection techniques commonly used by advanced threats. It monitors system processes, including critical ones. Prevents malware from taking control of legitimate processes and executing malicious code, making it more difficult for attackers to compromise the system. To learn more we recommend reading the article Process Protection.

Software Exploit Protection

Anti-Exploit technology is developed to provide protection against sophisticated attacks that target zero-day vulnerabilities in commonly used applications like web browsers, Microsoft Office, and others well as against specific kernel-mode attempts. This technology operates by constantly monitoring the behavior of applications and their components. To learn more we recommend reading the article Software Exploit Protection,

Fileless Protection

Fileless Protection is designed to detect and block advanced threats that leverage fileless techniques. Monitoring the behavior of system processes can detect suspicious activity and block the attack before it can cause damage. This technology is particularly effective against attacks that use PowerShell, WMI, and other files containing command line links to evade detection. To learn more we recommend reading the article Fileless Protection,

Sandbox Analyzer

Sandbox Analyzer is a security solution that offers protection benefits by providing an isolated and secure environment for running potentially malicious files and applications. It works by running suspicious files in an isolated environment and analyzing their behavior to determine if they pose a threat. This allows for safe testing of potentially dangerous files without risking the system's security. To learn more we recommend reading the article Sandbox Analyzer.

Ransomware Protection

Ransomware protection is designed to detect, block, and remediate ransomware attacks in real-time, preventing them from encrypting critical files and holding them for ransom. This protection uses multiple analyses to identify ransomware activity and can stop it before it can do any damage. To learn more we recommend reading the article Ransomware Protection.

Mobile Security

Mobile Security focuses on risk identification, threat detection, remediation, and reporting to safeguard against a range of anticipated and unexpected threats for Android, iOS, and Chromebook devices. It serves as an additional layer of defense that complements solutions like Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Unified Endpoint Management (UEM), enhancing the security posture of mobile environments. To learn more, we recommend reading the article Mobile Security.

Detection

The detection pillar of GravityZone is focused on detecting threats that have evaded prevention and protection technologies. These technologies work together to identify security incidents and provide security teams with the information they need to respond quickly. To learn more we recommend reading the article Detection.

EDR, XDR, and MDR overview

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and Extended Detection and Response (XDR) are advanced threat detection and response solutions that provide organizations with deep visibility into their endpoints and networks. EDR focuses on endpoints and monitors all activity on devices. XDR is a cross-event correlation component based on data coming from different sensors like endpoints, servers, containers, networks, etc. Managed Detection and Response (MDR) gives you 24x7 threat hunting by Bitdefender SOC analysts. To learn more we recommend reading the article EDR, XDR and MDR overview.

Sensors

Sensors provide advanced threat detection capabilities by collecting and analyzing system events, configuration changes, email traffic, and user login information to identify suspicious behavior. This allows for early detection of potential security breaches and enables security teams to take proactive measures to prevent attacks. To learn more we recommend reading the article Sensors.

Incident Investigation and Forensics

Incident Investigation and Forensic offer a comprehensive solution for incident investigation and response. By providing a unified view of incidents, leveraging Extended Root Cause Analysis, and streamlining response actions, the platform enables administrators and security teams to minimize the time required to identify, contain, and mitigate threats effectively. To learn more we recommend reading the article Incident Investigation and Forensics.

Anomaly Detection

Anomaly detection plays a crucial role in identifying unusual patterns or events that may require further investigation or intervention. The utilization of different algorithms and machine learning models presents a comprehensive strategy for addressing various aspects of anomaly identification. To learn more we recommend reading the article Anomaly Detection.

Integrity Monitoring

Integrity Monitor is a security feature that provides detection benefits by continuously monitoring the integrity of critical system files and alerting administrators of any unauthorized changes. By monitoring the integrity of critical system files, Integrity Monitor helps protect against sophisticated attacks that attempt to evade detection by altering system files or processes. To learn more we recommend reading the article Integrity Monitoring.

Response

The response pillar of GravityZone is focused on responding to security incidents quickly and effectively. This technology helps external security teams investigate incidents, contain threats, and remediate any damage that may have been caused when the local team can support the business. To learn more we recommend reading the article Response.

Threat Response

Threat Response offers a comprehensive set of response actions to effectively manage and mitigate security incidents. These actions can be taken automatically, by the administrator or external SOC team, depending on the active subscription, to protect sensitive data and ensure the overall security and resilience of their IT infrastructure. To learn more we recommend reading the article Threat Response.

Managed Detection and Response (MDR)

Managed Detection and Response (MDR) service offers advanced detection by providing 24/7 monitoring of an organization's network and endpoints. Service provides real-time alerts, threat intelligence, and incident response guidance to help organizations mitigate threats quickly and effectively. To learn more we recommend reading the article Manage Detection and Response.

More Resources

Bitdefender official website: GravityZone Security Products