Symantec Endpoint Protection vs Sophos Intercept X

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Our analysts compared Symantec Endpoint Protection vs Sophos Intercept X based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Endpoint Security Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Symantec Endpoint Protection Software Tool

Product Basics

Symantec Endpoint Protection is a security software suite that helps protect computers from various threats like malware and viruses. It's a good fit for businesses of all sizes and works on both Windows and Mac computers. Symantec Endpoint Protection offers features such as antivirus and antispyware protection, firewall and intrusion prevention, web filtering, and data protection. It also works well with other Symantec products. Users appreciate its effectiveness in preventing infections and its ability to control device usage through a central control panel. Symantec Endpoint Protection is available for around $40 per year for each user.

Pricing and features of security software can change frequently, so it's always a good idea to check the latest information online.

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Sophos Intercept X is an advanced endpoint security solution that excels in protecting organizations from a myriad of cyber threats. This comprehensive product is employed by a diverse user base, ranging from small businesses to large enterprises. It's particularly well-suited for those seeking robust defense against evolving threats, such as ransomware and zero-day attacks. Key features encompass deep learning AI, anti-exploit technology, and root cause analysis, enhancing threat detection and response capabilities. The benefits of Intercept X are evident in its ability to provide proactive and real-time protection, resulting in reduced security incidents and business disruption. However, it's important to note that the product's pricing may be a concern for budget-conscious organizations. User feedback underscores Intercept X's effectiveness in thwarting complex threats, often outperforming similar products. While highly regarded for its top-tier protection, potential limitations include resource consumption on endpoints. In the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape, Sophos Intercept X remains a formidable player.

Pros
  • Effective threat detection
  • Real-time protection
  • Anti-exploit technology
Cons
  • Potentially high pricing
  • Resource-intensive on endpoints
  • Complex for novice users
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$39 Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
$30/User, Annually
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Tailored to your specific needs
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Product Insights

  • Stay Safe: With Symantec Endpoint software, users can protect valuable digital assets from malicious actors, whether it’s on or offline. 
  • Be Proactive About Threats: The product blocks zero-day attacks by defending against common memory vulnerabilities. 
  • Save Money: Hackers, breaches, viruses and malware can cost businesses thousands of dollars each year. By deploying endpoint software, users can protect their enterprise — and their bottom line. 
  • Delivered by the Cloud: Symantec Endpoint Protection 15, the latest version of the software, is delivered via the cloud, providing a multi-layered defense, simple management, AI-assisted policy changes and powerful updates. 
  • Kill Complexity: The product is a single endpoint protection suite that covers deception, hardening, detection and response with built-in integration. 
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  • Advanced Threat Detection: Intercept X employs cutting-edge technology to proactively identify and neutralize advanced threats, including zero-day attacks and ransomware, before they can cause harm. This provides robust protection against evolving cyber threats.
  • Real-time Threat Intelligence: By harnessing real-time threat intelligence from SophosLabs, Intercept X stays up-to-date with the latest threat trends. This enables it to respond swiftly to emerging threats and provide comprehensive security coverage.
  • Behavioral Analysis: Intercept X utilizes behavioral analysis to detect suspicious activities and anomalies on endpoints. It can identify and stop malicious processes even if they haven't been seen before, enhancing security against novel threats.
  • Ransomware Protection: One of Intercept X's key benefits is its dedicated ransomware protection. It prevents ransomware attacks by monitoring file system activity, detecting encryption attempts, and taking proactive action to stop them, safeguarding critical data.
  • Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Intercept X offers powerful EDR capabilities, allowing security teams to investigate incidents, track threat actors' movements, and respond effectively to security breaches. This enhances overall incident response and threat hunting capabilities.
  • Phishing and Exploit Prevention: Intercept X includes robust mechanisms for preventing phishing attacks and exploit attempts. It identifies and blocks phishing websites, malicious email attachments, and malicious code execution attempts, reducing the risk of successful compromises.
  • Centralized Management: Sophos Central provides a unified management console for Intercept X, making it easy to deploy, configure, and monitor security across all endpoints. This centralized approach streamlines security administration and ensures consistency.
  • User-friendly Interface: Intercept X features an intuitive and user-friendly interface that empowers IT teams to manage security efficiently. This reduces the learning curve and allows for effective use of the solution's capabilities.
  • Optimized Performance: While delivering robust security, Intercept X is designed to minimize system resource consumption. It operates efficiently in the background, ensuring that endpoint performance remains smooth and unaffected.
  • Automatic Updates and Patching: Intercept X keeps endpoints protected with automatic updates and patching. It ensures that security measures are always current, reducing vulnerabilities associated with outdated software.
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  • Anti-Malware: This software has proactive anti-malware features that actively monitor and scan for malicious software on the device. Symantec checks against a database of known software to defend against threats. 
  • Beat Ransomware: Uses a combination of signatures and critical endpoint technologies to detect and defend against ransomware, which can cripple an organization. 
  • Machine Learning: A machine learning database using Symantec’s Global Intelligence Network, identifies threats automatically and learns from attackers. The Global Intelligence Network is the largest civilian threat database in the world. 
  • SEP Deception Suite: This software comes equipped with additional deception software. It bates and lures attackers with false vulnerabilities, coaxes them into revealing their attack methodology, and then automatically adjusts user’s actual infrastructure to defend against it. 
  • Multi-layered Defense: A multi-layered defense suite is included with the software, and can be tuned to work on the fly. 
  • Simplified Rollout and Management: On-premise or in the cloud, group policies and network-wide updates are simplified, reducing update fatigue. 
  • Platform Agnostic: Run on Mac, PC and Linux. The software is a good fit for small or medium-sized businesses looking for comprehensive protection.
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  • Advanced Threat Detection: Intercept X employs state-of-the-art technology to detect and prevent advanced threats, including zero-day malware and ransomware, offering robust protection against evolving cyber threats.
  • Real-time Threat Intelligence: Harnessing real-time threat intelligence from SophosLabs, Intercept X stays updated with the latest threat trends, enabling swift responses to emerging threats and comprehensive security coverage.
  • Behavioral Analysis: Intercept X uses behavioral analysis to identify suspicious activities and anomalies on endpoints, even if they haven't been seen before, enhancing security against novel threats.
  • Ransomware Protection: This feature monitors file system activity, detects encryption attempts, and takes proactive action to stop ransomware attacks, safeguarding critical data.
  • Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Intercept X offers powerful EDR capabilities, allowing security teams to investigate incidents, track threat actors' movements, and respond effectively to security breaches, enhancing overall incident response and threat hunting capabilities.
  • Phishing and Exploit Prevention: Intercept X includes robust mechanisms for preventing phishing attacks and exploit attempts, identifying and blocking phishing websites, malicious email attachments, and malicious code execution attempts, reducing the risk of successful compromises.
  • Centralized Management: Sophos Central provides a unified management console for Intercept X, simplifying deployment, configuration, and security monitoring across all endpoints, ensuring consistent security policies.
  • User-friendly Interface: Intercept X features an intuitive and user-friendly interface that enables IT teams to efficiently manage security, reducing the learning curve and facilitating effective use of the solution's capabilities.
  • Optimized Performance: While delivering robust security, Intercept X minimizes system resource consumption, operating efficiently in the background to ensure that endpoint performance remains smooth and unaffected.
  • Automatic Updates and Patching: Intercept X keeps endpoints protected with automatic updates and patching, ensuring that security measures are always up to date, reducing vulnerabilities associated with outdated software.
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Product Ranking

#2

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Endpoint Security Software

#64

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Endpoint Security Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

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Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

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Attack Prevention Attack Surface Reduction Endpoint Detection And Response (EDR) Exploit Prevention Managed Detection And Response (MDR) Services Mobile Capabilities Platform Capabilities Vulnerability Management 94 100 90 100 100 95 100 87 0 25 50 75 100
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User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 2043 reviews
Excellent User Sentiment 164 reviews
84%
of users recommend this product

Symantec Endpoint Protection has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 84% when considering 2043 user reviews from 6 recognized software review sites.

90%
of users recommend this product

Sophos Intercept X has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 90% when considering 164 user reviews from 1 recognized software review sites.

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4.1 (63)
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Awards

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SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Sophos Intercept X and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Exploit Prevention, Managed Detection and Response (MDR) Services and Integrations and Extensibility. Sophos Intercept X stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award
Exploit Prevention Award
Managed Detection and Response (MDR) Services Award
Integrations and Extensibility Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Easy to Use: Its basic level of functionality is easily integrated, deployed and managed, as noted by all the reviewers who mention ease of use.
Built-in Firewall: Offers protection against medium-scale threats and outbreaks with an effective built-in firewall, as observed by 80% of the users who refer to firewalls.
Security Policies: All the reviewers who specify enhanced security report that different security policies can be set up across the entire network if needed.
Scheduled Scanning: Pre-installation on all the endpoint devices provides scheduled scanning and updates, as stated by 100% of the users who refer to scans.
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Effective Threat Detection: Users appreciate Intercept X's ability to detect and stop a wide range of threats, including ransomware and zero-day attacks, providing robust security.
User-Friendly Interface: The intuitive and user-friendly interface makes it easy for administrators to configure and manage security policies without extensive training.
Centralized Management: Sophos Central offers a unified management console, simplifying the deployment and monitoring of security across all endpoints.
Ransomware Protection: Intercept X's dedicated ransomware protection is highly valued, as it safeguards critical data by proactively blocking ransomware attacks.
Quick Response to Emerging Threats: Users commend the real-time threat intelligence from SophosLabs, which enables rapid responses to emerging threats, enhancing overall security.
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Slow Performance: Regular scanning can slow down certain devices’ performance, as noted by 70% of reviewers who mention speed.
Block Sources: Incorrect judgments can quarantine legitimate sources as suspect objects, as observed by all the users who refer to aggressive protection.
False Positives: Around 70% of reviewers who specify false positives note that it picks up false positives during scanning.
System Resources: Uses a large number of system resources, as stated by around 80% of reviewers mentioning resource utilization.
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Compatibility Challenges: Some users have reported compatibility issues with certain software or legacy systems, which can require additional effort to address.
Resource Consumption: A few users have noted that Intercept X can consume system resources, potentially impacting the performance of older hardware.
False Positives: Like any security solution, Intercept X may occasionally trigger false positive alerts, leading to potential disruptions and the need for manual verification.
Learning Curve: For some organizations, implementing and configuring Intercept X effectively may require a learning curve for administrators who are new to the product.
Cost: A few users have mentioned that the comprehensive protection offered by Intercept X comes at a relatively higher cost, which may be a concern for smaller organizations with limited budgets.
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Symantec Endpoint Protection provides multi-layered defense and AI-assisted policy updates in its latest version delivered through the cloud. It is a user-friendly solution that provides regular updates and scanning. However, users note that constant scanning can slow down the performance of devices. Many reviewers have noted that it can be annoying with false positives and blocked sources. It is best suited for small to medium-sized organizations; if you have a large organization that regularly faces advanced threats, then this might not be an appropriate product.

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User reviews of Sophos Intercept X highlight both strengths and weaknesses of the product. Many users praise its effectiveness in threat detection and real-time protection. They appreciate the deep learning AI and anti-exploit technology, which help in identifying and mitigating complex threats. One user noted, "Intercept X has been a game-changer for our cybersecurity. It stopped ransomware attacks that previously posed a significant threat." However, some users find its pricing to be on the higher side, making it less accessible to budget-conscious organizations. Additionally, the product's complexity can be daunting for novice users, and training may be required to maximize its potential. When compared to similar products, Intercept X often receives positive feedback for its robust threat prevention. Users believe it outperforms some alternatives in terms of proactive defense. One user remarked, "We've used other solutions, but Intercept X's ability to proactively prevent threats sets it apart." Overall, user reviews indicate that Sophos Intercept X is a powerful tool for organizations looking to fortify their cybersecurity posture. Its ability to effectively thwart evolving threats is a significant strength, although the pricing and complexity may not make it the best fit for everyone.

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