CrowdStrike vs. CyberArk: Comparing Endpoint Security Software Solutions

CrowdStrike vs. CyberArk

The cybersecurity landscape has become more unpredictable than ever before – especially for businesses of all sizes and in all industries. With new and emerging threats making headlines all the time, business leaders often feel trapped in ‘panic mode’ as they try to determine the best network security solutions to deploy. After all, without reliable endpoint security solutions in place, business networks, data, and continuity remain at risk.

We work with businesses to optimize cybersecurity all the time. Lately, we’ve been getting a lot of questions about two security software solutions: CrowdStrike and CyberArk. Both options offer business teams dynamic and strategic security solutions, but we thought it would be useful to create a side-by-side comparison of each solution. Our goal is to help you understand the ins and outs of each solution so that you can make informed IT security decisions for your business. Read on for the 411 on CrowdStrike and CyberArk below.

CrowdStrike: Everything You Need to Know

What is CrowdStrike

CrowdStrike is a leading cloud-based endpoint security solution for businesses. Simply put, the application serves as an enterprise-grade antivirus solution that helps ensure IT infrastructure remains secure and uninfected. Additionally, CrowdStrike is equipped with strategic endpoint detection and response capabilities to ensure threats are immediately identified and addressed.

Because CrowdStrike is supported by cloud-based architecture, the application is an incredibly lightweight solution. However, lightweight in no way means weak or inefficient. CrowdStrike is capable of monitoring and securing billions of endpoints every day for businesses that span countless countries and continents.

Finally, CrowdStrike provides exclusive access to its API so developers can connect the software to various other security solutions. This means, users can enhance the protection of their managed systems, while getting maximum use out of IT security investments.

Overview of CrowdStrike Features

• Malware detection
• Exploit detection
• Whitelisting & blacklisting
• Endpoint detection & response
• IOA behavioral protection
• Real-time endpoint activity monitoring
• Current & historic activity search
• Insight & intelligence
• Security threat alerts
• Real-time system inventory
• Real-time application inventory
• API integration
• Analysis & reporting tools
• Customizable feeds

Benefits of Using CrowdStrike

Stronger Security

CrowdStrike has a host of prevention features and provides companies with the peace of mind that can only come with a robust and highly-secured IT infrastructure. Since CrowdStrike acts as an endpoint security solution and an antivirus solution, it’s security benefits are more powerful than a legacy service.

Added Time Value

Since CrowdStrike is housed in the Cloud, getting the solution operational and optimized can literally happen in seconds. No complex processes, no additional hardware, no supplemental refinement. This means businesses can deploy the solution seamlessly to immediately protect network endpoints.

Enhanced Performance

As soon as CrowdStrike is up and running, businesses can rest assured that the application will provide supreme performance. The application has little to no impact on endpoints – from installation to deployment and ongoing operations and optimization, CrowdStrike guarantees optimal performance from start to finish.

Real-Time Detection

CrowdStrike is always on-duty. Companies who use CrowdStrike can rest assured that the application will instantly alert them when breaches or other network issues occur. CrowdStrike also has the ability to gather and analyze data from a company’s entire network infrastructure in an effort to optimize prevention and ensure the proactive detection of potential attacks.

Proactive Threat-Hunting

CrowdStrike deploys fully-managed threat-hunting technology to offer an additional layer of business-network protection. This helps business teams ensure that no threats slip through the cracks. CrowdStrike threat-hunting technology also prevents or mitigates issues at source.

Adversary Insights

Analytics help business teams and IT support staff better arm networks against IT security threats. CrowdStrike helps by providing detailed insights and reports that outline threats and provide remediation recommendations.

CyberArk: Everything You Need to Know

What is CyberArk

Cyber Ark offers a comprehensive suite of security and account management solutions that are designed to help business leaders secure privileged account passwords, team devices, and more. CyberArk’s most notable solution is the Privileged Password Management and Control feature. This tool is designed to help organizations uphold mandatory IT and compliance standards – specifically when it comes to privileged password management.

With CyberArk, businesses and organizations are better positioned to support compliance policies and audit standards. This allows business teams – and their IT support staff – to efficiently identify risks and mitigate even the most advanced and persistent threats. CyberArk’s primary function is to create stronger privileged password management controls and implement them strategically. This way, business IT security is proactively enhanced.

Overview of CyberArk Features

• IT auditing and reporting
• Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)
• Advanced threat protection
• Remote vendor access security
• Insider threat protection
• Cloud and virtualization security
• DevOps security
• Unix/Linux security
• Windows security
• Industrial control systems security
• Confidential file security

Benefits of Using CyberArk

Streamlined Security & Productivity via Process Automation

CyberArk automates all processes in privileged lifecycle management. This means that workflow is streamlined and security concerns are taken care of more efficiently, leaving business professionals to focus on more pressing concerns.

Accountability & Versatility

CyberArk’s Privileged Password Management and Control feature facilitate accountability by eliminating anonymous use of shared privileged accounts. The application is also incredibly versatile and provides modules that help users address and meet audit requirements.

Flexibility

CyberArk Endpoint is designed with flexibility in mind. This makes it easy to enforce network security policies and better monitor activity on privileged accounts. Users can set password controls using a variety of metrics including password length and complexity.

Increased Control

Possibly the best feature included in CyberArk is user control. The application ensures that administrators have total control over user and account access. Even better? The application allows users to easily define and limit access based on credentials and easily put full restrictions on access rights for “need to know basis” accounts.

Improved Audit & Reporting

Finally, CyberArk also provides incredibly thorough and comprehensive audit reports on all privileged account access. It also allows users to document all privileged actions to facilitate audit-friendly analytics. All audit records are secured and stored in a way that prevents unauthorized access, reconfiguration or log deletion.

Deciding on IT Security Software: Calling in Professional Back-Up

Now that we’ve gone over the defining features and benefits of both CrowdStrike Falcon and CyberArk Endpoint Security, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed. Even with all the features and benefits laid out, you might still be wondering which solution is best for your business. That’s why we recommend partnering with a team of endpoint security experts to help you choose the best solution and optimize deployment.

Here’s what to look for when looking for IT security software consultation:

• Clear and open consultation – The right IT security support partner will make sure you understand all the different options available to your business. They’ll be honest and provide IT security consultation in a language you can understand.
• Forward-thinking strategy – The right IT security support partner will have a strategy in place from the get-go. They’ll not only be thinking about how security software will help your business now – they’ll also be able to explain why the solutions they recommended are the best for long-term scalability and sustainability.
• Reputable experience – The right IT security support partner will have experience deploying and optimizing IT software for business like yours. If you’re interested in CrowdStrike or CyberArk, the provider you choose should be able to provide proof that they’ve supported deployments before.
• Dedicated deployment and optimization support – The right IT security support partner won’t just offer recommendations and then leave you hanging. They’ll be ready and willing to help you deploy solutions strategically and optimize them for the long-run.

If your company is considering CrowdStrike Falcon, CyberArk, or other endpoint security software solutions, why not reach out to the team of IT security experts at 360 Smart Networks? Our team has experience providing strategic consultation and deployment support to businesses of all shapes and sizes. We’ll help you find the best security solutions to meet the unique security and compliance needs of your organization.

Don’t let security software details leave you feeling confused or overwhelmed. Call in professional back-up by reaching out to 360 Smart Networks anytime at (770) 518-7087 or via email at sales@360smartnet.com. No matter your needs, we’ll help you choose the right IT security solutions and make sure they’re deployed and optimized strategically.