Sophos launches Intercept X anti-exploit and anti-ransomware technology

Sophos has announced Sophos Intercept X, a next-generation endpoint security product that stops zero-day malware, unknown exploit variants and stealth attacks, and includes an advanced anti-ransomware feature that can detect previously unknown ransomware within seconds.

Sophos Intercept X installs alongside existing endpoint security software from any vendor, immediately boosting endpoint protection by stopping malicious code before it executes.

It combines four critical security components that IT administrators should expect from next-generation endpoint protection:

* Signatureless threat and exploit detection: Anti-malware and anti-hacker defence that blocks zero-day, unknown and memory resident attacks and threat variants without the need for file scanning;
* CryptoGuard: Anti-ransomware that identifies and intercepts malicious encryption activity, blocks ransomware before it can lock and cripple systems and can roll back maliciously encrypted files to pre-attack state;
* Root Cause Analytics: A 360-degree visual analysis of attack events that shows where the attack came in, what it affected, where it may have stopped and recommended actions to prevent a similar attack in the future; and,
* Sophos Clean: A utility that hunts for, and removes any trace of spyware and deeply embedded, lingering malware.

"Using big data analytics along with its deep understanding of threat patterns, attack vectors and criminal motivations, Sophos designed Intercept X from the ground up to recognise malicious behaviours and stop potential attacks much sooner in the kill-chain, without the need for updates or signatures," says Brett Myroff, MD of Sophos distributor, Netxactics.

"IT professionals know that there is no single equation that stops all attacks; Intercept X combines several techniques for faster identification and response that are coordinated to better support IT professionals without the need for specialised security staff," he adds.

Developed as a core component of Sophos' synchronised security strategy, Sophos Intercept X is enabled with the Security Heartbeat to share threat intelligence with Sophos' next generation XG Firewall and SafeGuard Encryption solutions for a coordinated and automated response to attack.

The product can be installed and managed remotely through the Sophos Central cloud-based management console that allows administrators to control and configure settings, distribute licences, add new endpoints and track all activity. In addition, the single pane-of-glass dashboard designed for Sophos partners shows all Sophos Central services available to provide higher levels of customer protection while offering partners additional recurring revenue opportunities.

Tony Palmer, senior Lab analyst at ESG, commented, "According to ESG research, many organisations have extensively adopted advanced prevention products, such as next-gen antivirus and even more are planning to ease their way into advanced detection and response. Unfortunately, many enterprises simply lack the right level of security analytics skills or staff to perform these tasks effectually, thanks to a global, problematic shortage of cybersecurity skills. With Intercept X Sophos looks to provide a fast-track to achieving advanced protection and response capabilities while minimising the need for specialised security consultants to administer it. In ESG Lab's opinion, Sophos Intercept X has made excellent progress closing many of the endpoint security gaps that still exist for organisations worldwide."