Download comparative review by Cascadia Labs of Sophos, Symantec and McAfee

This Endpoint Security for Enterprise comparative review by Cascadia Labs (February 2007) evaluated the three leading endpoint security software packages designed for large businesses:

• Sophos Endpoint Security
• McAfee Active VirusScan + AntiSpyware Enterprise + VirusScan for Macintosh
• Symantec Client Security 3.1 + Symantec AntiVirus for Macintosh

The review
Cascadia Labs evaluated every aspect of endpoint security covering installation, deployment, usability, management, effectiveness of signature-based and behaviour-based malware detection, remote cleanup, scanning performance and updating.

Sophos product is best overall
Overall, Sophos was rated the best product in the review, scoring 4 out of 5 - beating both Symantec and McAfee in the installation, usability and performance categories, matching them in the other areas tested.

Cascadia noted the effectiveness of Sophos malware detection, identifying Behavioral Genotype® Protection as delivering better protection from new and unknown malware and that Sophos Endpoint Security included the most integrated and easily managed desktop firewall in the review.

Take a closer look at the ratings table and usability results.

Cascadia Labs' verdict
Sophos Endpoint Security combines effectiveness at blocking and removing a variety of malware with straightforward installation and management and an informative dashboard. Sophos Endpoint Security is well suited for enterprises that want to be confident that they are protected while reducing the amount of time they spend managing that protection.

McAfee Active VirusScan with AntiSpyware Enterprise Module includes all the necessary components to help large enterprises effectively protect their network against common threats. Full Active Directory support is appealing but the overall complexity of policy management makes it a bit daunting and expensive to manage.

Symantec Client Security 3.1 provides adequate protection against a diverse range of threats and is a reasonable choice for large enterprises who have invested the time necessary to overcome its management interfaces.