Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has launched a set of extended detection and response (XDR) tools, as well as a managed XDR service, designed to protect small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), said Kaspersky sub-Saharan Africa GM Chris Norton.

The Kaspersky Next XDR Optimum and Kaspersky Next MXDR Optimum tools are easy to deploy and provide protection, automated response capabilities and managed security. This enables SMEs to effectively combat modern threats and minimise risks without stretching their existing resources.

“Small organisations face the same threats as large organisations and it is important that they have access to the same types of toolsets to protect themselves. These two new additions to our Kaspersky Next flagship product line provide enterprise-class capabilities to SMEs,” he said.

Limited budgets and the global, and local, shortage of skilled cybersecurity personnel make it difficult for these organisations to deploy and manage advanced protective measures.

“Our new solutions are built on industry-proven, best-in-class endpoint protection and are designed to seamlessly integrate into a company's existing infrastructure without the need for new system components.

“They require minimal time and resources, while significantly strengthening the company's defences against evasive attacks,” said Norton.

The Kaspersky Next XDR Optimum solution is suitable predominantly for SME companies with established IT infrastructure and moderate cybersecurity budgets, which are often managed by larger IT teams or small security units.

In addition to endpoint security and automatic threat response, this solution delivers user-friendly detection and response tools that identify, analyse and neutralise evasive threats.

Kaspersky can provide the new tools as on-premise, hybrid or cloud-based solutions, he said.

Further, the Kaspersky Next XDR Optimum allows companies that are already using Kaspersky Next endpoint detection and response (EDR) Optimum to upgrade to a more advanced XDR-class solution, and will gain capabilities of the new solution without data loss and with the familiar interface preserved.

Meanwhile, Kaspersky Next MXDR Optimum is a managed security solution that provides 24/7 threat detection and response.

Specifically, the SME's in-house team performs initial threat analysis using essential tools such as indicators of compromise scans and Cloud Sandbox.

The Kaspersky team then provides advanced threat detection using streaming data, AI-powered alert analysis and also delivers swift responses or detailed remediation guidance.

This approach ensures rapid incident resolution and strengthens the company’s overall security posture, Norton said.