The server is an essential element in every organization’s IT infrastructure. Apart from holding a lot of critical information and resources, it powers an organization’s internet connectivity, allows access to remote employees, facilitates communication among systems, and more. All these resources can be protected from malicious actors using server security tools.
Server security tools help organizations protect server resources against intrusions, malware attacks, and other forms of malicious actions. In this article, we will help you choose the right server security solution for your organization in 2023.
The table below highlights the key features of server security solutions and their pricing details.
| File backup | Unified dashboard | Multiple platform support | Reporting features | Starting price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malwarebytes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | $150/yr per device |
| Avast Server Antivirus | Yes | Yes | Windows only | Yes | $39.21/yr per device |
| Syxsense Cortex | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Pricing is provided upon request |
| Barracuda XDR Server Security | Yes | Yes | Windows and Linux | Yes | Pricing is provided upon request |
| Delinea Server Suite | No | Yes | Windows, Linux, and UNIX | Yes | Pricing is provided upon request |
| WithSecure | Yes | Yes | Windows, Citrix, and Terminal | No | Pricing is provided upon request |
| Sophos Intercept X | Yes | Yes | Windows and Linux | Yes | Pricing is provided upon request |
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Best overall
Malwarebytes Endpoint Protection for Servers provides malware protection and remediation for the server infrastructure. It is delivered from a single cloud console that provides visibility into all servers and workstations.
Malwarebytes has a lightweight design and offers cross-platform support for Windows, Linux, and Mac endpoints. Also offered as a cloud-based platform, the tool allows users to manage and analyze endpoint processes, registry, and network activities in the cloud.
Other notable server security features in Malwarebytes include network isolation, server isolation, and process isolation. In addition, there is ransomware rollback, which activates file backups in the event of an attack.
Pricing starts at $150 per device per year.
Best for Windows servers
Avast antivirus for servers comes with the Avast Essential Business Security solution, also known as Business Hub. Through an online management platform, users can set up the solution, monitor the health of their server devices, and manage subscriptions for the platform.
The tool also comes with malware scanning capability for inspecting server downloads and uploads, server threat detection capability, and a global policy feature for setting security rules on how available services work on endpoints in your network.
Also included in the Avast server security solution is SharePoint Server Protection, which helps users check for malware in all files uploaded to shared storage. There is also Exchange Server Protection that scans and filters emails at the Exchange server level.
Avast Server Antivirus is included with their Essential Business Security package, starting at $39.21 per device per year.
Best for ease of use
Syxsense Cortex provides up-to-date server patching and IT management; a larger suite includes vulnerability scanning. The solution offers an easy management dashboard with its drag-and-drop interface.
With this tool, IT and security teams can monitor things like CPU and RAM and disk space usage on any device, as well as have access to a customizable reporting tool to analyze reports. In addition, Syxsense offers IT teams prebuilt templates for server monitoring and patching. The tool also provides prebuilt vulnerability scripts to help users with remediation workflows, reducing the need to create new workflows.
Syxsence offers a 14-day free trial. Contact the vendor for a quote.
Best for brandable reporting
Barracuda XDR Server Security is another popular server security tool for Windows and Linux servers. Users can monitor and identify risks using Barracuda XDR and Security Operations Center.
The solution’s threat detection feature, which is overlaid in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, can provide visibility into attack tactics, show the way an attack is likely to move, and reveal gaps in coverage. In addition, users are provided with a customizable reporting feature to enable them to brand their reports.
Contact Barracuda for a quote.
Best for privileged access management
Formerly known as Centrify, Delinea Server Suite is a powerful server security tool that focuses on offering privileged access management at the server level. It offers a central dashboard where users can execute least privilege practices for servers and manage policies from Active Directory. This server security tool can be used to unify policy management for Linux, Windows, and UNIX platforms.
With the solution, users can establish trusted Active Directory machine identities for authentication, helping them implement special privileges, multifactor authentication (MFA), and remote access security.
Contact the vendor for a quote.
Best for policy management
WithSecure is anti-malware software designed specifically for Windows, Citrix, and Terminal servers. This suite offers advanced real-time defense against a wide range of malicious software, including viruses, Trojan horses, spyware, rootkits, and other forms of malware against servers. Users can manage the software through either the Policy Manager or the built-in Web Console, allowing for centralized and local control of the security settings.
The tool comes with DeepGuard technology for behavior-based detection of new threats, a software updater for keeping the operating system and third-party servers up to date, and a botnet blocker.
Pricing details are only provided upon request.
Best for server-to-container protection
Sophos Intercept X offers server workload protection and container security for cloud, data centers, and on-premise. The solution provides visibility across your on-premise, cloud, and virtual server workloads.
Intercept X is powered by artificial intelligence, which makes it possible to detect known and unknown malware on the server. Users can also go beyond server protection by using Extended Detection and Response (XDR) to incorporate cross-platform data for extended visibility. With its Linux Detection capability, users may not need a kernel module, baselining, orchestration, and system scans to detect attacks on their servers.
Quote is provided upon request.
Server security solutions come with a lot of features. Though the exact list will vary between each solution, some of the core features to look for include real-time threat detection, intrusion prevention, vulnerability assessments, and patch management.
A key aspect of security is catching threats in real-time. Advanced security solutions employ sophisticated algorithms and machine-learning techniques to analyze server activity non-stop.
This makes for efficient monitoring of inbound and outgoing network traffic, user authentication attempts, and application behavior to identify suspicious patterns or potential signs of malicious activity on the server.
An IPS is a crucial component of server security tools that acts as a proactive defense mechanism. IPS goes beyond simple threat detection to actively block and mitigate potential threats.
When the security tool identifies suspicious network activity or any pattern of intrusion attempts, the IPS automatically enforces access controls and security policies to prevent unauthorized access to the server.
The dynamic landscape of cybersecurity demands continuous evaluation of server vulnerabilities and the prompt application of security patches. That’s why top server security tools also come with vulnerability assessment capability that scans the server infrastructure for potential weaknesses.
Depending on the sophistication of the tool, this feature can identify known and unknown vulnerabilities in server software, operating systems, and applications. The feature can also provide administrators with actionable insights to prioritize patch management effectively in order to keep servers up-to-date.
Data security is paramount in server environments, especially when handling sensitive information. Encryption plays a vital role in ensuring data confidentiality, even if attackers manage to gain unauthorized access to the server. Quality server security tools often provide strong encryption protocols like SSL/TLS to safeguard data at rest and in transit.
Managing security across multiple servers can become overwhelming without centralized management capabilities. Most server security tools provide a centralized dashboard or console where administrators can monitor the security status of all servers in the infrastructure from a single interface. This feature allows for streamlined configuration, deployment of security policies, and monitoring of security events across the entire server network.
Additionally, comprehensive reporting capabilities are essential for tracking security incidents, analyzing trends, and complying with regulatory requirements.
Choosing the best server security tool for your business requires careful consideration of several key factors. Firstly, you should assess your business’s specific security needs and infrastructure. Doing this will help you identify the types of servers you use, the critical data they store, and the potential threats you may face.
Look for a server security tool that offers comprehensive protection, including real-time threat detection, intrusion prevention, vulnerability assessment, encryption, and centralized management. Scalability is also crucial, as your business may grow, and you’ll want a solution that can adapt to changing requirements.
Additionally, consider the tool’s compatibility with your existing systems and the possibility of integration with other systems to avoid disruptions and minimize the learning curve for your IT team. You should also prioritize solutions that provide regular updates and excellent customer support to ensure your security remains up-to-date and effective in the face of emerging threats.
Server security software acts as a defense system by employing various security measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, antivirus scans, and access controls to safeguard servers from unauthorized access and data breaches.
Using a server security tool helps organizations protect their server infrastructure against unauthorized access and data breaches, safeguard sensitive information, and minimize the risk of costly downtime.
Yes, many server security tools are designed to work across different server environments, including on-premises and cloud-based systems.
We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the leading server security tools by analyzing resources provided by each vendor on their website. We also utilized the information provided by verified users on reliable review sites.
Some of the features we prioritized during our review include user-friendliness, compatibility with other systems, server security functionalities, and availability of relevant resources for potential users. Wherever possible, we engaged with video or hands-on demo tools to get a better picture of how each of the tools work.
As the threat landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial for businesses to adopt a proactive approach to server security. Fortunately, the tools mentioned in this article can serve as essential components of a comprehensive server security strategy.
However, it is important to remember that no tool can be a one-size-fits-all solution for your server solution. Effective server security requires a multilayered approach that combines cutting-edge technologies with skilled cybersecurity professionals.
Additionally, staying up-to-date with the latest security trends and regularly patching software vulnerabilities are critical for maintaining a robust defense posture.
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Franklin Okeke is a regular contributor to ServerWatch, as well as an author and freelance content writer with over 5 years of experience covering cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies. In addition to pursuing a Master's degree in Cybersecurity & Human Factors from Bournemouth University, Franklin is an entrepreneur with a passion for startups, innovation, and product development. His writing also appears regularly in TechRepublic, Enterprise Networking Planet, and other leading technology publications.
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