Cyber attacks can be very costly. Not just in financial terms, but if customer data is compromised, it can mean a considerable dent in client relationships and a loss of trust. There is a lot of antivirus software on the market which can make it confusing when you’re looking to buy. There are even free options, but while these can seem tempting, they tend to offer limited protection and are often not suitable for businesses. Below, we look at 10 factors to consider when choosing the best antivirus for your business, no matter its size or type.
1. Determine Your Requirements
No two businesses are the same, and no two employees or people within a business are the same. To choose the best antivirus and ensure the best protection, you first need to determine what you need.
How many computers do you have in the office? You might need software that includes multiple licenses. Are your computers Macs or do they run Windows? Or Linux? Do you have remote staff, or staff that go on customer visits or work outside the office? Depending on the devices used, your remote staff might need the best Chromebook antivirus solutions. As Ilijia Miljkovac points out, Chromebooks are just as susceptible to malicious software as any other devices.
Different antivirus packages offer different types of protection for different setups, so you will need to know the answers to these questions and more.
2. Check Your Processes
Business processes will determine the kind of cyber threats your organization faces on a daily basis. If all communication is done through email, you need robust email protection. If employees use social media, they need suitable protection while on these sites.
As well as your computers, consider other devices that connect to your network. Mobile phones are commonplace, not just for calls, but for other forms of communication, and most will connect to your business network while in the office.
You may need to either prevent employees from connecting to the network on mobile devices or ensure that the antivirus package you choose can protect phones, tablets, and other devices.
3. Location, Location, Location
If all of your business’s work is conducted in the office, your antivirus can be deployed manually on every device. It can also be updated and managed in the office. If you have remote workers, or employees that work outside the office, the software will likely need to offer cloud-based management.
SaaS anti-virus is commonplace, and it makes it possible to deploy and use antivirus software on all devices, including those outside the main office.
4. Your IT Setup
Do you have a dedicated IT department? Or, will you have to manage the antivirus yourself? If you have IT experts, you can opt for more complicated software, which typically provides more beneficial features and more extensive protection.
If you don’t have an IT department, or they don’t have experience with antivirus software, you will need something easier to deploy and manage.
5. System Requirements And Usage
Antivirus software runs in the background as well as conducting regular, routine scans. This improves the chances of the software catching any potentially malicious software, but it does require processor and system usage. In some instances, it can slow down computers while the software runs, and it will be necessary to schedule virus scans when computers need to be left on.
Check the system requirements for the software, not only making sure that the computers you have meet the minimum requirements but that they will still be able to operate smoothly when the antivirus is doing its job.
6. Additional Features
Such is the competition in the antivirus software world that most packages include additional features or come packaged with other software. If you already use password managers, cloud backup, or other related software, it might be worth combining all of these in a single platform.
Your antivirus should be able to protect backups if they are part of the same network, and having all of your security software under one digital roof typically means cost savings and easier deployment. Get your IT department involved in the decision-making process and they will be able to advise what features you have and what you need.
7. Additional Protection
At the very least, business antivirus software should include file, network, and application protection. It can also include device and USB protection, password protection, and even employee tracking features. All of these features add extra layers of protection.
However, not all businesses need total protection from all of these features and if you have unnecessary features, you are likely paying too much for the software.
8. Scalability
At the moment, your business might only have three employees and three workstations, but will that be true in a year? How many employees will you have in five years?
If your antivirus includes several licenses, either ensure that it’s enough to cover any expansion of your business or that you can increase the licenses you have. SaaS antivirus software typically allows for the addition or even removal of licenses and users, which means it is scalable and cost-effective.
9. Cost
Costs vary considerably between antivirus products. At one end of the scale are the free antivirus programs. These can provide a little protection for a single, home user that is very careful about the attachments they open and the websites they visit. But, they will rarely offer adequate protection for businesses. People tend to be less careful when using a work computer than a home computer, and you need to legislate for this with your security software.
At the other end of the scale, there are antivirus packages that cost hundreds of dollars a month. Unless you need enterprise-level protection, your business is likely to fall somewhere in between.
Ensure you have the level of protection required, as well as enough licenses for your current setup and proposed expansions. Then, you can look for ways to reduce costs by combining your antivirus software with other packages. This can help save money and make security software more affordable, without compromising on the protection it offers.
10. Support
Ideally, your antivirus will run silently in the background of every computer, preventing any infections across the board. It will update automatically, and you’ll never even know it’s there, except when it periodically lets you know it has performed its task.
Realistically, antivirus software often conflicts with other pieces of software. It may prevent employees from being able to perform some required tasks, especially if it hasn’t been installed properly or you’ve chosen an inappropriate package. In these cases, you will need to speak to a member of the antivirus support team, so check reviews and user comments to determine the level and proficiency of support offered by the manufacturers.
You need a responsive company that offers the type of support you need. There are even some companies that will assist with the installation and deployment of the software.
Conclusion on Finding the Right Antivirus
A UK government survey found that 11% of businesses and 8% of charities suffered data breaches in 2013 alone. And if your business is operating without adequate antivirus protection, it could be next. Get software that is suitable for your organization, that you have the expertise to install and manage, and that offers the features and additional features you require.
