Security: Businesses need more. ESET moves from Essential to Advanced

With the evolution of threats, the definition of essential security is changing, and advanced tools are needed.

The evolution of cybersecurity tech has parallels to vehicle safety technology. Consider the game-changing introduction of antilock braking systems in the late 1970s, still in use today. That technology can hardly be considered the ultimate safety innovation for modern drivers who now also rely on airbags, electronic stability controls, backup cameras, blind-spot warning sensors, and other electronic systems to keep them safe on the road.   

Cyber protection evolves similarly; that’s why ESET has decided to stop selling its current basic tier business product — ESET PROTECT Essential — as of November 4, 2025. No matter how effective and popular it has proven, ESET no longer considers ESET PROTECT Essential — comprising our next-generation antivirus and server security — fit for purpose to cover a business’ essential security needs.

With 1 billion protected users, and more than half a million safeguarded businesses¹, ESET PROTECT, for years a leading cybersecurity solution, has been underpinned by the ESET Endpoint Antivirus security module. However, the evolving threat landscape continually pushes businesses to improve their protection, cover more malware entry points, and fulfill ever-tougher compliance requirements. These facts require us to redefine what the foundations of essential security are.

Shifting terrain

The business security environment changes so rapidly that it is an ever-popular topic at cybersecurity conferences, including those organized by ESET. At the latest conference, ESET World 2025, Forrester experts Mr. Joseph Blankenship and Mr. Padraic Harrington emphasized the evolution of cyberattacks, which have become more complex, targeting a wide range of endpoints, including laptops, phones, tablets, operational technology, IoT devices, and internet browsers.

“When we say endpoint and where the attacks are going, they’re targeting all of them,” Harrington said, adding that businesses must go beyond basic protection, as they cannot fully control all aspects of their security environment, such as contractors' devices, employees' home networks, or cellular networks.

When it comes to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), the situation gets even more complicated. After years of walking on thin ice, falsely presuming that small businesses are not interesting targets for cybercriminals, various studies show that cybersecurity is now among the top priorities for SMBs, which are willing to invest more in their protection.

This change in mindset is visible not only in surveys but also in actions taken. For example, the annual Cyber Security Breaches Survey carried out by the British government shows that more and more SMBs invest in technical cybersecurity controls and insurance.

Isn’t antivirus enough?

While those numbers show positive trends, the overall progress is slow. Again and again, we can see various reports referring to SMB representatives who say they are aware of potential threats and have often experienced them. However, their hands are tied with limited budgets.  

This often leads to the adoption of low-cost or simple antivirus or in-built cybersecurity solutions that don’t cover even the most common current attack vectors.

Following the automotive analogy, four-wheel hydraulic brakes are great but will not save you from a truck driver missing a red light and hitting you at a crossroads. That’s why airbags and seatbelts are mandatory even in the cheapest cars on the market.

Here is a brief explanation of why antivirus needs to be complemented by additional security measures:

• Antivirus software is designed to recognize and stop malware, but that’s all. For example, it cannot stop your employee from giving their credentials to cybercriminals after being tricked by an AI-generated spearphishing message received on their smartphone.

• To face the most sophisticated attacks using obfuscation techniques, antivirus needs to be supported by advanced technology capable of enhanced unpacking and scanning, machine learning, and sandboxing.

• While antivirus is an essential security tool, due to evolving threats, businesses need to think about multilayered security. The bare minimum layering must include file encryption.

• A simple antivirus is no longer enough to even meet compliance regulations.

• Using cheap solutions or in-built cybersecurity software may seem reasonable from the monetary point of view, but only until a company experiences its first breach. Organizations with fewer than 500 employees reported that the average impact of a data breach reached $3.31 million, according to the IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023.

The best value for money

Considering that what was a basic standard years ago is simply not enough for today’s threats and the fact that budgets of smaller companies are limited, let’s see what the best value-for-money cybersecurity protection should look like:

• Antivirus software should be upgraded to much more complex and comprehensive technology. For example, ESET Endpoint Security leverages a multilayered approach that utilizes multiple technologies delivering robust protection capabilities. It can stop not only viruses but also fileless attacks, botnets, ransomware, web browser threats, and much more.

• ESET Endpoint Security is complemented by ESET LiveGuard Advanced, proactive cloud-based prevention against various types of malware, including never-before-seen threats. This superior level of protection can be reached thanks to multiple layers of detection, such as matching samples against a malware database, dynamic analysis using machine learning, sandbox analysis, and in-depth behavioral analysis.

• Since smartphones and other mobile devices have become an integral part of everyday work life, their protection should be a priority, not a nice-to-have tool. ESET Mobile Threat Defense not only protects these devices against malicious software and apps but also comes with anti-theft and mobile device management (MDM) capabilities.

• The last aspect of cybersecurity is not directly related to malware but is equally important. As malware gets more sophisticated and cybersecurity more complex, cyber hygiene and the IT administration burden get in the spotlight. That’s why ESET protection modules are easily manageable from a single unified console, ESET PROTECT Platform.

All these capabilities and features are packed in ESET PROTECT Advanced, which delivers formidable security while staying within the budget and suitably fulfills basic compliance standards.

Time to step up

With the continuing development of cyber threats and related improvements in antimalware technology, the perception of essential cybersecurity solutions has changed. The situation is quite clear – simple antivirus is no longer an option.

Perceiving these trends in the world of cybersecurity, ESET steps up even further with its ESET PROTECT Advanced while discontinuing the sale of ESET PROTECT Essential. ESET PROTECT Advanced covers the basic needs of businesses that are pursuing reliable security and compliance while being smart about their budget.  

¹ The referenced “half a million” safeguarded businesses does not include those protected by ESET via its partnering managed service providers. Thus, the “half a million” refers only to companies using ESET Endpoint Security within self-managed security environments.