As cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated, frequent, and damaging, businesses and individuals can no longer afford to rely solely on traditional anti-virus software as their primary line of defence. The era of “set and forget” cyber security is over. Instead, a multi-layered approach is necessary, and one of the most powerful additions to any cyber security arsenal is zero-trust cyber security.

What is Zero-Trust Cyber Security?
Zero-trust is a cyber security model that assumes no entity should be trusted by default. Zero-trust software operates so that no processes that are unauthorised can be executed without explicit permission to do so within the system or network. Because of this, if your device is infected by a virus, a robust zero-trust software such as AppGuard will quarantine the threat and prevent it from escalating privileges or performing lateral movement on your device, meaning your computer device will be completely unaffected for as long as your zero-trust defence is active.

How does Zero-Trust Cyber Security compare to Traditional Threat Prevention?
Zero-trust software is on the cutting-edge of cyber security, and as such, it possesses capabilities beyond traditional threat protection that effectively thwarts threats that have never been seen before on the web, known as ‘Zero-Day Attacks’.
Traditional anti-virus software primarily relies on signature-based threat detection, which recognises threats by comparing files to a data base of known malware signatures, preventing those that match from infiltrating your device by quarantining and deleting the malicious file.
However, the keyword here is known threats. If your software encounters a novel zero-day attack or even a more sophisticated threat such as a fileless attack, it will not prevent the malware from infiltrating your device.

How does Zero-Trust Cyber Security compare to EDR and XDR?
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and Extended Detection and Response (XDR) defence mechanisms are an upgrade to traditional cyber security and have long been the gold standard for maintaining a cyber security posture. Now, however, they’re silver to the advancements of zero-trust software technology.
EDR software monitors and responds to threats at computer endpoints, protecting the user against malware, ransomware, and other cyber threats using data analytics to identify suspicious activity.
XDR software operates similarly but typically uses AI and automation to provide a cross-layered approach to threat analysis and response, allowing for faster mitigation.
While many EDR/XDR solutions incorporate Zero-Trust principles, they are primarily designed for threat detection and response rather than strict access control. Solutions like AppGuard prioritise a prevention-first approach by isolating applications and blocking suspicious activity
before execution, significantly reducing the response time in which your device is at risk of malware.

You need true Zero-Trust Security alongside your anti-virus software
The future of cyber security lies in pairing Zero-Trust software with your anti-virus software, rather than relying solely on traditional antivirus alone. As AI-driven malware and zero-day threats rise, a layered security approach—combining Zero-Trust threat detection and proactive response—ensures a stronger defence.
Think of it like wearing both a belt and braces: multiple layers working together provide better protection against potential failures.
Onca Technologies partners with the Cyber Centre of Excellence, offering AppGuard—a cutting-edge Zero-Trust security solution—at an exclusive rate. Unlike traditional security software, AppGuard prevents threats before they can execute, keeping you protected regardless of your online status, location, or connection to an organisation’s network. Developed in a military-grade environment, it has successfully defended against major cyber threats since 2020.
AppGuard integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Defender, included in Microsoft 365, making it an affordable yet comprehensive cybersecurity solution. At Onca Technologies, we specialise in setting up and optimising AppGuard to ensure maximum protection.

No matter the challenge, we’ve got your back