Avenue M's Safe Start package is the minimum security protection we recommend. It costs $99 per computer per month and combines four layers of protection that perform different jobs.

1. Security Patch Management

Security updates fix known weaknesses in Windows and supported software.

Cybercriminals commonly take advantage of vulnerabilities that already have fixes available. Patch management helps make sure those security updates are installed instead of leaving known weaknesses open.

2. Antivirus

Antivirus helps detect and block known viruses and other malicious software before they can cause harm.

Antivirus is indispensable, but attacks do not always arrive as a traditional virus.

3. EDR: Suspicious Activity Detection and Response

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) continuously monitors the computer for suspicious behavior that antivirus may miss.

The Sophos endpoint security we deploy also uses AI-powered prevention and deep learning to identify known and previously unseen malware before it executes.

EDR can detect unusual processes, malicious scripts, ransomware activity, or attempts to disable security software. It can also take automated action to stop or contain malicious activity while the security team is being notified.

Antivirus looks for known threats. EDR looks at what the computer is doing.

4. MDR: 24/7 Expert Monitoring and Response

Technology can detect a threat, but someone still needs to investigate what happened and determine what to do next.

Managed Detection and Response (MDR) provides 24/7 monitoring by a security team. Sophos MDR combines AI-driven threat detection and analysis with human security experts who monitor, investigate, and respond to threats around the clock.

AI helps analyze and prioritize security activity at machine speed. Human analysts supervise the technology and provide judgment when a threat requires investigation or response.

When necessary, the security team can take action, including disconnecting an affected computer from the network to help stop an attack from spreading.

Why Are All Four Layers Included?

Each layer has a different role:

  • Patch Management fixes known security weaknesses.
  • Antivirus blocks known malicious software.
  • EDR uses behavioral detection and AI-powered protection to identify and respond to suspicious activity.
  • MDR combines AI-assisted detection with 24/7 human investigation and response.

Safe Start combines these layers to help prevent attacks, detect suspicious activity, and provide expert response when something goes wrong.

AI adds speed and the ability to analyze large amounts of security activity, while experienced security professionals provide the human judgment needed when an incident requires attention.

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