# Carbon Black vs Cylance: AI-Driven Endpoint Protection Compared

This article aims to provide a comprehensive comparison between Carbon Black and Cylance, two leading endpoint security solutions that leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to protect against malware and advanced threats.

Introduction

In the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape, endpoint protection has become a critical aspect of any robust security strategy. Two notable players in this space are Carbon Black and Cylance, each offering AI-driven endpoint protection solutions. This comparison aims to shed light on the similarities, differences, and key features of these two solutions.

Overview

Carbon Black

Carbon Black, now part of VMware, is a cloud-native endpoint security platform that offers prevention, detection, response, and hunt capabilities. It uses AI and machine learning to protect against known and unknown threats.

Cylance

Cylance, now owned by Blackberry, is an AI-driven endpoint security solution that focuses on prevention. It uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to predict and prevent malicious activity before it executes on a system.

Prevention Capabilities

Carbon Black

Carbon Black’s prevention capabilities are centered around its next-generation antivirus (NGAV) solution, which uses AI to analyze behavior and prevent known and unknown malware. It also includes application control, which allows administrators to define approved software and control their execution.

Cylance

Cylance’s primary focus is on preventing malware execution with its AI-based predictive engine. It analyzes file attributes, including metadata, to predict whether a file is malicious or not.

Detection Capabilities

Carbon Black

Carbon Black’s detection capabilities are robust, with real-time threat hunting, which uses AI and machine learning to identify anomalous behavior. It also includes a forensic analysis tool that allows investigators to reconstruct the attack timeline.

Cylance

While Cylance excels in prevention, its detection capabilities are less extensive compared to Carbon Black. It does provide some monitoring and alerting features, but it primarily relies on the AI engine to prevent threats.

Response and Remediation

Carbon Black

Carbon Black includes a response and remediation module called Response, which allows security teams to investigate threats, take action, and automate responses. It also integrates with other security tools for a more comprehensive response.

Cylance

Cylance primarily focuses on prevention and does not offer a dedicated response and remediation solution. However, it does provide some incident response support through its integration with third-party tools.

Deployment and Management

Carbon Black

Carbon Black is cloud-native, making it easy to deploy and manage. It offers a SaaS model and supports integration with various security tools.

Cylance

Cylance can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud, but it requires more infrastructure compared to Carbon Black. It also offers API integrations but fewer than Carbon Black.

Pricing

Pricing for both Carbon Black and Cylance is not publicly available and typically depends on the specific requirements of the organization. Both solutions offer flexible pricing models, including per-device and subscription options.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while both Carbon Black and Cylance offer AI-driven endpoint protection, they have distinct strengths and weaknesses. Carbon Black provides a more comprehensive solution with robust detection, response, and management capabilities. On the other hand, Cylance excels in prevention, making it an ideal choice for organizations that prioritize proactive security measures.

Organizations should carefully evaluate their specific needs and choose the solution that best aligns with their security strategy and infrastructure. It’s essential to consider factors such as deployment flexibility, integration capabilities, and pricing when making a decision.