The Advantages of Cloud-based Antivirus Over Traditional Antivirus

What is a cloud-based antivirus software?

The short definition would be that a cloud-based AV is an antivirus program that is installed in a server somewhere in the world. Yes, that’s how “the cloud computing” actually works! 

A traditional AV needs to be fully installed on each one of your devices in order to perform its function. This is the one that we’re already familiar with. We always see it loading on our desktop screen just right after logging in.

Like a traditional AV, a cloud-based AV software scans your device for possible threats, and then removes or quarantines files or programs that it deems harmful to your system. The difference is that that cloud-based protection performs the majority of its scanning and analysis via the internet, leveraging powerful cloud infrastructure instead of relying on your device’s local resources.

Cloud-based AV can do a similar or an even better job than a traditional AV without clogging your computer’s space and speed.  This efficient use of resources, combined with real-time updates and scalable cloud security, is why cloud-based antivirus software is gradually overtaking traditional options.

What are the advantages of a cloud-based antivirus software?

You might already be comfortable with your traditional antivirus software and have no intention of switching to a cloud-based solution. However, using cloud-based antivirus software offers tremendous advantages—especially if you have a growing business that relies heavily on digital operations and connected devices.

Here are the advantages of having cloud-based antivirus protection and why it's a smart choice in the era of cloud computing:

Cloud-based AV doesn’t eat up your computer’s processing power.

You probably notice that your computer slows down when your traditional AV is running in the background. Sometimes, you can't even use your computer while the program is scanning your device. You might even be tempted to turn it off or uninstall it for good because it hampers your productivity.

A cloud-based AV software, however, does not affect the performance of your computer because it does not require heavy processing power to do its job. Deployment is also much easier, and reports or threat dashboards can be accessed anytime through your cloud security platform.

Cloud-based AV detects the latest malware fast because of other users’ data.

A traditional AV needs to store hundreds of thousands of files in your computer database. If the software detects a file similar to one in your database, this file is then considered as a malware.

A cloud-based cybersecurity solution is still capable of doing this function without having to store more and more files in your device. 

And because it’s hosted in the cloud, you can get instant protection against threats that have already affected other users subscribing to the same antivirus provider. As soon as a new threat emerges, the main server is updated so it can deal with the threat in real-time. It’s like having the collective intelligence of this community of AV users.

A traditional program, on the other hand, can only detect these newer threats once it does another round of irksome updates.

Cloud-based AV can come with an IT team that monitors your system.

Once you have a cloud-based antivirus solution, you have access to managed security services. Some vendors provide a dedicated IT security team to monitor threats and respond in real time.

However, not all cloud-based AV vendors have IT support who are on standby to assist you 24/7. 

With a vendor like ER Tech Pros, your company becomes more secure with the help of certified experts that have a holistic perspective and are well-experienced in dealing with security problems.

Just in case a new cybersecurity threat comes, you can depend on your team to keep it away from your business!

Cloud-based AV is cheaper than most traditional antivirus programs.

Purchasing a cloud-based AV costs less than downloading the full suite of its traditional counterpart. 

Some providers package their cloud-based AV protection together with other cloud services like data backups, endpoint management, and remote IT support, so that you can optimize your budget depending on your needs.

Some cloud-based AVs can also work across multiple devices and platforms, making it an even more cost-effective choice for your enterprise. 

 ER Tech Pros offers low-cost cloud AV guaranteed to safeguard your burgeoning business against threats.

The Only Major Drawback

The only drawback with cloud-based AV is that you need to be connected to the internet to be 100% protected. Since cloud security solutions rely on real-time threat detection via cloud computing platforms, the longer your internet is down, the higher the risk of letting malware penetrate your system. 

It would then be wise to make sure that you have an internet connection and your cloud-based AV is active before running new programs or inserting external devices into your computer.

With every other application migrating to the cloud, most of our work through the computer requires internet connection anyway. We just have to be extra vigilant in situations where we are offline.

Weigh Your Options

While traditional antivirus software remains a reliable form of protection, a cloud-based AV solution reduces the workload on your local device by offloading much of the heavy lifting to the cloud infrastructure. This leads to faster performance, real-time threat analysis, and more efficient malware detection — thanks to powerful cloud security algorithms.

Now that we’ve presented the main advantages of cloud-based AV over a traditional one, the next step is to identify the right AV software for your device and the specific AV features that fit the requirements of your business.

How We Can Help You

Similar to other cloud services and tools, the pricing and type of a cloud-based AV that should be deployed to your computers would depend on the size of your business and its specific needs. 

There are also several factors to consider in integrating this technology into your systems —to check whether or not a protection tool fits well with your entire system so that unexpected issues are avoided.

The smartest way to go about this whole process is to collaborate with a team of experts who can analyze your current IT infrastructure to find the protection that perfectly suits your needs. 

ER Tech Pros has cloud engineers who are ready to walk you through everything.

Talk to a certified expert to assess the level of protection your device needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)