Did you know? Basic antivirus software is no longer sufficient to protect against the cyberthreats of 2025.
Consumer-grade internet security solutions may provide adequate malware protection for your home…but they lack the advanced security features and threat detection capabilities required to safeguard your company. Enterprise-grade cybersecurity solutions are essential to truly defend against data breaches. (Especially if you work for a small business.)
Table of Contents
- Basic Antivirus Protection vs. Enterprise-Level Security
- Popular Cybersecurity Solutions Compared
- Which Security Solution Do You Need?
- Get Help Comparing Security Solutions
Basic Antivirus Protection vs. Enterprise-Level Security
Basic antivirus protection and enterprise-level security differ significantly in their scope, features, and capabilities:
Scope and Scale
- Basic antivirus protection is designed for individual users, while enterprise-level protection caters to businesses.
- The words “enterprise-level” or “enterprise-grade” don’t refer to the solution’s target audience, but to the features used to safeguard the user.
- Enterprise solutions are scalable to accommodate growing security needs.
Features and Capabilities
| Consumer-grade | Enterprise-grade | |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | Typically installed directly on devices. | Available as on-premises solutions (requiring servers) or cloud-based servers that eliminate infrastructure costs while offering scalability. |
| Scalability | Handles 30-50 devices, each running its own show. | Manages hundreds of devices from one central command center. |
| Support | Basic help desk support during business hours. | 24/7 monitoring and support, because cybercriminals don’t clock out—ever. |
| Security | Often reactive with limited security features. | More advanced security options, like behavioral analysis, real-time threat hunting, vulnerability management, multifactor authentication (MFA) and integrations. |
| Threat intelligence | Relies on public threat databases for malware detection, which may not be updated as frequently. | Accesses private threat intelligence feeds maintained by dedicated research teams for fast identification and emerging threats. |
Why the Best Antivirus Software Isn’t Enough
The boxed software you’d purchase at the big blue technology department store (or the one shaped like a circuit) have come a long way. Unfortunately, these traditional antivirus solutions aren’t enough to save the data you’re storing on your company laptop. Here’s why:
- Limited cybersecurity coverage. Antivirus software only detects known malware and misses emerging threats.
- Comprehensive security requirements. Certain businesses (like those handling credit card transactions or taxpayer data) require more complex security protocols than antivirus software provides. The easiest way to stay in compliance is to go with one security provider that provides everything in one package.
- Critical protection gaps. Individual device protection doesn’t guarantee organization-wide data safety. Imagine you install big, sturdy locks on your front door but leave the windows open. Antivirus software (the locks) may be protecting your front door, but it’s not doing anything for those other points of entry.
Popular Cybersecurity Solutions Compared
Is McAfee good for protecting your personal laptop from viruses? Sure. Is Norton Antivirus good for keeping the mobile device on your home network safe? You bet. But your business isn’t a home network—it contains sensitive information (credit card details, addresses, phone numbers) for hundreds of people. It requires a security protocol that’s stronger than occasional quick scans and basic antivirus. The table below reviews the precise feature differences between basic and advanced cybersecurity solutions.* If you have questions about any of these features, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Consumer vs. Enterprise Security Features
| Norton Antivirus | McAfee+ Advanced | Microsoft Defender | Verito | Rightworks Total Security | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer vs. enterprise | Consumer | Consumer | Consumer | Enterprise | Enterprise |
| Managed internally or externally | Internal | Internal | Internal | External | External |
| Pricing structure | Annual | Annual | Annual/user | Monthly/user and Annual/device |
Monthly/user (devices included) |
| Number of devices | Up to 20 | Unlimited | Up to 5/user | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Antivirus protection | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Security awareness training | ❌ | ❌ | ✔ | ✔¹ | ✔ |
| 24/7/365 monitoring | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 90-day rolling backups | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔ |
| Password manager | ✔ | ✔ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔ |
| Advanced threat protection (EDR, intrusion detection) | ❌ | ❌ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| VPN | ✔ | ✔ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔ |
| Drive encryption | ❌ | ❌ | ✔² | ❌ | ✔ |
| Phishing simulations | ❌ | ❌ | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ |
| Onboarding and support | ✔³ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔⁴ | ✔ |
| 20+ years tax and accounting experience | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔ |
| Scalable for firms of all sizes | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔ |
| Scaled to manage applications internally | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔ |
| Full WISP completion | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔ |
| Preferred partners to Drake, Intuit, Wolters Kluwer | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔ |
*Information is current as of December 2024.
¹: Available on Comprehensive and Premium plans only.
²: Available as an add-on feature.
³: Access to Norton experts up to five times per year.
⁴: Onboarding not included; one-time setup fee per device.
Which Security Solution Do You Need?
With so many options available, selecting the best cybersecurity solution for your small business can feel overwhelming. Use this simple decision tree to guide you toward the type of protection that aligns with your company’s unique needs and budget:
1. Do you have a dedicated IT security team?
- Yes → That’s great! Having an entire team focused on security means your business is likely well-protected. We suggest reaching out to them to learn more about your current setup and any potential areas for improvement. They can provide valuable insights and recommendations tailored to your specific needs.
- No → Proceed to question 2.
2. Do you handle sensitive customer data (e.g., financial information, personal details) or have employees whose personal information (e.g., SSNs, bank account numbers for direct deposit) is stored on your systems?
- Yes → Proceed to question 3. Keep in mind that employee data like SSNs and bank account numbers are highly valuable on the dark web, making your business an attractive target for cybercriminals.
- No → Basic antivirus software may suffice, but consider upgrading for added peace of mind and protection against evolving threats.
3. Do you have employees working remotely or using their own devices for work?
- Yes → Look for a comprehensive cybersecurity solution with centralized management, device encryption, and secure remote access capabilities.
- No → Proceed to question 4.
4. Is your business subject to specific data security regulations (e.g., HIPAA, PCI DSS)?
- Yes → Choose an enterprise-grade cybersecurity solution with built-in compliance features and reporting.
- No → Proceed to question 5.
5. Has your business experienced any security incidents or close calls in the past year?
- Yes → Prioritize advanced threat detection, real-time monitoring, and incident response capabilities when selecting a cybersecurity solution.
- No → Proceed to question 6.
6. Are you planning to expand your business or anticipate significant growth in the near future?
- Yes → Opt for a scalable cybersecurity solution that can grow with your business and accommodate increasing security needs.
- No → A small business-focused security package with essential features like antivirus, web protection, and email filtering may be sufficient.
Remember, this decision tree provides general guidance based on common small business scenarios. For a more accurate assessment of your company’s specific cybersecurity requirements, consult with a trusted IT security professional or provider.
Get Help Comparing Security Solutions
Navigating cybersecurity is daunting. But…it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task for you to tackle on your own. Book a no-pressure, 30-minute consultation with a security expert today. They’ll:
- Assess your current setup.
- Identify potential vulnerabilities.
- Recommend a solution that fits your needs and budget.
At the very least, you’ll be one step closer to gaining a clearer understanding of your security posture and well on your way to developing a plan that protects your business. And for more security content, subscribe to our blog today.
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