Written by James Palmer – Managing Consultant at Gradian
Cyber threats are evolving with alarming sophistication and therefore protecting endpoints becomes not just a necessity, but a strategic imperative for businesses. Symantec, now part of Broadcom, has been a leader in cybersecurity for years, helping individuals and businesses stay ahead of cybercriminals. Among its powerful tools, Symantec Endpoint IPS stands out as a proactive defence against network-based attacks. But what exactly does it do, and why should you care?
What is Symantec Endpoint IPS?
Think of Symantec Endpoint IPS as a security guard for your network, scanning every bit of data coming in and out of your system to stop threats before they can do any damage. Unlike traditional antivirus software that reacts after an attack, IPS works proactively to keep you safe.
Network Layer Protection: Unlike traditional antivirus solutions that react after an attack has landed, IPS proactively inspects network traffic at the network layer, blocking threats before they reach your device. This includes both inbound and outbound traffic, ensuring a comprehensive shield against malware.
Protocol Awareness Authorisation: IPS understands various network protocols, tailoring protection to each, which significantly reduces both false positives and the risk of missing actual threats.
Signature and Behaviour Analysis: It employs pattern matching to identify both known and unknown threats. With over 400 audit signatures, it’s capable of recognising malicious activities without default actions, allowing for tailored responses based on the nature of the threat.
Command and Control (C&C) Blocking: One of its standout features is the ability to block communications to known malicious C&C servers, effectively disrupting malware operations that rely on such connections.
Why do you need Symantec Endpoint IPS?
So why should you care about all this? Because in today’s world, waiting to react to cyber threats is no longer an option. Symantec IPS is a game-changer…
It Stops Attacks Before They Start:
The best way to fight malware is to prevent it from ever reaching your systems. By blocking threats at the network level, IPS reduces the need for reactive cleanup, keeping your devices safe and your data intact.
It’s Built for Versatility
Whether you’re using a desktop, laptop, or server, IPS provides seamless protection across all endpoints. It’s particularly effective in high-traffic server environments, where it handles large volumes of network activity without slowing down performance.
It’s Constantly Evolving
Cybercriminals don’t take breaks, and neither does Symantec. With continuously updated IPS signatures and AI-driven threat detection, Symantec Endpoint IPS stays ahead of emerging threats, making sure you’re protected against even the latest attack methods.
As well as network layer protection, protocol awareness, signature and behaviour analysis, C&C blocking, Symantec IPS works hard and produces results. In a 30-day sample this year, IPS Audit signatures detected a total of 795.3M attacks across 1.6M endpoints (January 2025).
- 138.4M attempts to scan/exploit Web Server Vulnerabilities detected on 138.7K endpoints
- 318.5M attempts to scan/exploit Windows OS Vulnerabilities detected on 129.6K endpoints
- 30.7M attacks associated with red team tools activity detected on 165.7K endpoints
- 56.5M attempts to scan/exploit Server Vulnerabilities detected on 137.1K endpoints
- 838.9K attempts to scan/exploit CMS Vulnerabilities detected on 21K endpoints
- 1.6M attempts to scan/exploit Application Vulnerabilities detected on 44.3K endpoints
- 1.5M attacks detected on 10.7K endpoints associated with Adware/PUA activity
- 240.2K coin mining attempts detected on 1.6K endpoints
- 81.6M suspicious post infection activity events detected on 210K endpoints
- 22.3M attacks were detected on 941.1K endpoints related to malicious tools known for being used in ransomware attacks
A proactive layer, focused on prevention
Symantec Endpoint IPS represents a proactive layer in cybersecurity, focusing on prevention rather than just detection and response. Its ability to block threats before they infiltrate your network makes it an indispensable tool in modern IT security strategies. Whether you’re protecting a small business or a large enterprise, understanding and implementing Symantec Endpoint IPS can significantly reduce your cybersecurity risk profile.
Digital threats are inevitable and choosing Symantec’s IPS could be one of the smartest moves to secure your organisation. Remember, in cybersecurity, prevention is not just better than cure; it’s often the only cure.
Take the first step towards comprehensive, proactive cybersecurity by exploring Symantec Endpoint IPS today. Gradian have 3 Symantec Knights within our Professional Services team, who have an incredible 5 knighthoods between them. Reach out to our Symantec Knights now and get in touch with us today and transform your defence strategy!