Kaspersky Takes the Lead in Cybersecurity Detection: A New Era of Independent Validation Begins
Innsbruck, Austria — In the quiet heart of the Austrian Alps, a seismic shift in the world of cybersecurity has just been confirmed. At a time when digital threats are evolving faster than ever, AV-Comparatives, a globally respected authority in security software testing, has launched a groundbreaking new evaluation—the Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Detection Validation Test. The first company to step forward and achieve certification? Kaspersky, with its Next EDR Expert platform.
This development signals far more than a technical achievement; it reflects a deepening pivot in the cybersecurity industry from prevention to proactive detection—a crucial distinction in an era where stopping breaches outright is no longer a guarantee.
A Quiet Revolution in Cybersecurity Testing
For years, cybersecurity vendors have sold peace of mind through promises of prevention. But attackers have grown more cunning, slipping past even the most robust walls. That’s why AV-Comparatives' new EDR Detection Validation Test is being seen by analysts as a vital course correction—a test designed not to judge who can stop the breach, but who can spot it before it causes real damage.
EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) and traditional antivirus both protect endpoints, but EDR offers a more comprehensive approach. EDR proactively hunts for threats, investigates suspicious activities, and provides response capabilities, unlike antivirus which primarily relies on known signature-based detection. The "Endpoint Detection and Response explained" query suggests a need for understanding the depth and breadth of EDR's capabilities.
“In this environment, detection is not a luxury—it’s a necessity,” said one cybersecurity analyst familiar with the test’s design. “The fact that this evaluation disables prevention features entirely is what makes it revolutionary. We’re finally testing what happens after the walls are breached.”
In this inaugural assessment, Kaspersky didn’t just participate—it excelled. Its Next EDR Expert product successfully identified a multitude of advanced attack techniques across a simulated 14-step Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) scenario, earning a certification that many in the industry see as a new gold standard.
Inside the Test: Simulating Real-World Threats
This isn’t a test conducted in a sterile lab with theoretical parameters. The EDR Detection Validation Test plunges security products into simulated real-world cyberattacks. Using the Empire framework—an open-source post-exploitation tool favored by penetration testers and, increasingly, threat actors—the test mimics the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) of sophisticated attackers.
Typical stages of an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) attack.
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Reconnaissance / Intelligence Gathering | Attackers gather information about the target, including infrastructure, employees, and vulnerabilities. This may involve OSINT, social engineering, and scanning for weaknesses. |
| Initial Compromise / Infiltration | Attackers gain initial access to the target's network or systems, often through spear-phishing, exploiting software vulnerabilities, or compromising websites. |
| Escalation and Lateral Movement | Once inside, attackers attempt to escalate privileges and move laterally within the network to identify valuable assets and establish backdoors. |
| Command and Control | Attackers establish communication channels with compromised systems to manage and control them remotely. |
| Data Exfiltration | Attackers stealthily extract sensitive data from the targeted network using techniques like tunneling or encrypted channels. |
| Persistence | Attackers try to establish a long-term presence within the target's network or system. They create backdoors, install malware, or leverage compromised user accounts to ensure they can maintain access even if the initial access point is discovered and blocked. |
| Cleanup | After data exfiltration, attackers attempt to remove traces of their presence to avoid detection. |
All participating products are stripped of their prevention features and placed into monitoring-only mode, making the evaluation a pure measure of detection capability. AV-Comparatives monitors how effectively the tools generate real-time alerts, interpret telemetry, and support threat hunting—elements that define the frontline of modern cyber defense.
An Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) is a sophisticated, long-term cyberattack campaign where an intruder establishes an undetected presence in a network to steal sensitive data. Unlike opportunistic attacks, APTs are typically targeted, well-funded, and executed by skilled actors, often with nation-state backing. The goal is persistent access rather than a quick hit.
“This isn’t about stopping malware with a signature match,” noted a security researcher who reviewed the test protocol. “It’s about identifying lateral movement, privilege escalation, command-and-control communication—everything that makes APTs so dangerous and so stealthy.”
Kaspersky’s Certification: A Technological and Strategic Signal
Kaspersky’s achievement in this first-of-its-kind evaluation is more than a badge—it’s a statement of intent. In recent years, the cybersecurity vendor has consistently ranked as a “Strategic Leader” in AV-Comparatives’ Endpoint Prevention and Response (EPR) tests. Now, by stepping up as the first participant in a much more rigorous detection validation process, the company has reinforced its commitment to transparency and innovation.
“This recognition reaffirms our commitment to delivering advanced, effective cybersecurity solutions,” said Alexander Liskin, Head of Threat Research at Kaspersky, in the company’s announcement. He noted that the product successfully detected a range of attack techniques throughout the rigorous testing process.
The certification reflects not only strong technical performance but also a willingness to engage openly with independent evaluators—something industry veterans say more vendors need to do.
“Kaspersky wasn’t just willing to be tested,” one analyst remarked. “They were eager to be challenged. That’s a significant cultural difference in an industry where some still prefer black boxes and marketing slides.”
The Competitive Landscape: A Race to the Top
While Kaspersky has drawn first blood in this new phase of detection testing, it is far from alone in the hunt for superiority. AV-Comparatives has tested other major players—CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, ESET, Bitdefender, and Check Point—under its broader EPR framework, and many of these vendors have scored high marks. Each is now under pressure to demonstrate similar excellence in the more grueling EDR detection arena.
Market share of leading cybersecurity vendors in endpoint security.
| Vendor | Description/Strengths |
|---|---|
| Palo Alto Networks | Best protection against network, endpoint, and remote asset attacks. |
| Fortinet | Best for network security perimeter protection. |
| CrowdStrike | Best for endpoint security and services, XDR, MDR, vulnerability management and cloud security. |
| Bitdefender | Best for endpoint security and ransomware protection. |
| Cisco | Best for integrated network security. |
| Trend Micro | Best for small businesses. |
What distinguishes Kaspersky is timing and initiative. By going first and passing, it has staked an early claim to leadership in an area where few yet dare to compete.
“This is going to set off a chain reaction,” predicted one independent industry consultant. “Now that the bar is publicly defined, every serious vendor is going to have to step up. If they don’t, customers will ask why.”
Why Detection Matters More Than Ever
In an era of ransomware-as-a-service, state-sponsored espionage, and AI-assisted phishing, the threat landscape has shifted dramatically. Breaches are no longer a matter of if, but when. That’s why emphasis has moved to how quickly and thoroughly those breaches can be detected.
The AV-Comparatives test responds directly to this reality. Its focus on real-time detection and forensic traceability aims to close a critical gap in enterprise defenses—one that traditional antivirus and prevention-only tools often overlook.
Kaspersky’s success in this domain sends a clear signal: effective detection is no longer optional. It’s central to the future of digital defense.
The Broader Implications: From Technology to Market Impact
For Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) managing multi-million-dollar security budgets, third-party certifications are not window dressing—they’re procurement criteria. Kaspersky’s certification could shift decision-making in its favor, particularly in high-risk sectors like finance, healthcare, and government.
Analysts also see the certification as a signal to investors. “This isn’t just a product story—it’s a market story,” said a financial analyst who covers the cybersecurity sector. “A product that can consistently detect advanced threats at low total cost of ownership is going to win share. Kaspersky has just made itself harder to ignore.”
There’s even speculation that Kaspersky may use this momentum to expand into managed detection and response (MDR) services or develop new threat intelligence offerings—both of which are fast-growing segments in the security ecosystem.
A Call to Action for the Industry
AV-Comparatives has made its invitation clear: more vendors are welcome to step forward for evaluation. Jan Brilke, the organization’s COO, is encouraging broader participation, noting that the process yields invaluable insights for both vendors and customers.
While some may hesitate—concerned that a public failure could damage their reputation—experts argue that transparency is increasingly the price of credibility in cybersecurity.
“Security through obscurity is dead,” one expert bluntly stated. “You either prove your product works or you risk being seen as irrelevant.”
Looking Ahead: A Certification with Consequences
This moment marks the beginning of a new era in endpoint security. With prevention alone no longer sufficient, detection is taking center stage—and independent, empirical validation is now the yardstick by which effectiveness will be measured.
Kaspersky has seized the opportunity, earning certification and positioning itself at the forefront of a critical industry shift. Whether others follow, and how quickly, could reshape the competitive landscape of cybersecurity for years to come.
As organizations worldwide seek to outpace increasingly sophisticated threats, one truth has become impossible to ignore: seeing the threat is just as important as stopping it.
And thanks to a rigorous new standard in Innsbruck, the world now knows who’s watching.