Cybersecurity software: how to choose the right solution for your business?
In this article, discover the different families of cybersecurity software, their objectives and selection criteria, as well as the strategic role of solutions like Egerie in managing risks and compliance.
Cybersecurity is a central issue for all organizations. The figures speak for themselves: according to ANSSI and The CERT-FR threats and incidents report, more than 4,300 security events were processed in 2024, an increase of 15% compared to 2023, and 144 ransomware attacks have been recorded, confirming the strong pressure on French organizations.
Faced with these threats, which are increasingly diversified and with reinforced regulations (RGPD, NIS 2, DORA, ISO 27001...), companies have no choice but to equip themselves with adapted software solutions. But what cybersecurity software choose from the multitude of tools available? Antivirus, firewall, EDR, SIEM, governance and risk management platforms... the landscape is vast and sometimes complex to decipher.
This article provides an overview of the main families of cybersecurity software, before presenting the essential choice criteria and showing how solutions like Egerie provide a specific response to the strategic management of risks and compliance.
Why use cybersecurity software?
Faced with a constantly changing digital environment, several reasons make the use of cybersecurity software essential today: the growing diversity of threats, the economic impact of attacks and the growing weight of regulatory obligations.
Ever more diverse threats
Indeed, cyberattacks have become more professional. In addition to classic viruses, several sophisticated techniques have been added: targeted phishing, attacks on the cloud, compromising suppliers in the supply chain, and exploiting generative AI to create more credible fraud campaigns. Each new digital tool introduces new attack vectors, constantly expanding the exhibition area.
The cost of a cyber attack
Beyond direct financial losses (ransom, loss of turnover), a cyber attack very often leads to an interruption of activity, or even a complete paralysis of operations. The reputational consequences can be long-lasting: a hospital whose patient data is compromised or a bank that is the victim of a leak of sensitive data will certainly take years to regain public trust.
Meet regulatory requirements
Regulatory tightening in Europe illustrates this reality. RGPD for the protection of personal data, NIS 2 directive for operators of essential services, DORA regulations for the financial sector... These texts require complete traceability of incidents and permanent monitoring of risks. Without appropriate software, businesses struggle to demonstrate compliance and face sanctions.
Reducing human vulnerability
The vast majority of cybersecurity incidents are caused by human error: it can be a click on a fraudulent link, a password that is too weak, or the unintentional sharing of sensitive information. Modern software doesn't just protect systems: it often includes modules of training and awareness-raising, in order to reinforce the vigilance of employees and to limit faults linked to the human factor.
Ensure strategic management and business continuity
Cybersecurity is no longer a subject confined to IT. Directorates-general and boards of directors require a consolidated vision of risks and clear indicators to measure the effectiveness of the measures put in place. Advanced cybersecurity software makes it possible to generate dashboards understandable by the COMEX, to prioritize investments and to ensure business continuity even in the event of a major incident.
Understanding why cybersecurity software has become indispensable naturally leads to questions about the different types of solutions available, each meeting specific needs.
The main families of cybersecurity software
The term “cybersecurity software” actually covers very different tools, meeting complementary needs.
Basic protection software
Historically, cybersecurity started with the installation of antivirus and firewalls. These tools are still essential because they block a large number of common threats. Examples include malware, intrusion attempts, or spam.
However, they are no longer enough: they act as a first barrier, but they do not detect advanced attacks or compromises that are already present in the system.
Concrete example: an antivirus will be able to block a known Trojan horse, but will be unable to identify a targeted phishing attack sent to an employee.
Incident detection and response software
To overcome these limitations, businesses are turning to solutions such asEDR (Endpoint Detection and Response), the XDR (Extended Detection and Response) Or the SIEM (Security Information and Event Management). These tools collect and analyze large quantities of data from information systems in real time, in order to identify weak signals of an intrusion and to trigger a rapid response.
Their main advantage: early detection. Their limit: they require constant human expertise to interpret alerts, otherwise at the risk of generating an overload of information (“alert fatigue”).
Let's take a typical example: a SIEM centralizes security logs from servers, business applications, and workstations to identify abnormal activity, such as a large number of failed login attempts on an administrator account.
Advanced protection solutions
Some software categories aim to increase security in a targeted manner:
- Data Encryption (hard drive, messaging, cloud) to limit the impact in case of theft, especially in sectors handling sensitive data (health, legal, finance).
- Identity and access management (IAM, MFA) to secure authentication and avoid usurpations, for example during remote access by an employee.
- Vulnerability Management and Patch Management to quickly correct known flaws, a crucial issue in hybrid environments (on-premise + cloud).
Governance and risk management software (GRC cybersecurity)
Less well known to the general public, but more and more strategic, these programs focus on global cybersecurity management.
Their role:
- centralize the mapping of cyber risks,
- ensure compliance with regulations,
- prioritize action plans according to incident scenarios,
- provide managers and COMEX with a clear vision of the security posture.
Example: a bank can use A GRC platform to ensure that its entities comply with DORA regulations, while estimating the potential financial impact of a major cyber incident.
Unlike purely technical tools, these solutions don't just block attacks: they allow you to make the right decisions at the right time and demonstrate compliance during audits.
The implementation of governance software is always part of a broader information security approach, which also involves the definition of a information systems security policy (PSSI) clear and shared across the organization.
Complementarity remains essential
These software categories should not be considered as alternatives, but as complementary building blocks. Thus, an antivirus alone does not protect against sophisticated ransomware, an EDR does not replace a governance strategy, and a GRC platform does not directly block an intrusion.
By combining these tools, organizations build a defense in depth, capable of both preventing, detecting, responding and controlling. It is this integrated approach that makes it possible to deal with the complexity of current cyber threats and to raise the level of business resilience.
How do you choose cybersecurity software that's right for your business?
Faced with a plethora of offers, here are some essential elements to take into account when making your choice.
Assess the maturity of your organization
The choice of cybersecurity software depends directly on The maturity of the organization And of its strategic goals. A small business will be able to effectively secure its activity with basic solutions (antivirus, firewall, password manager). An industrial ETI, whose production systems are critical targets, will have to be equipped with supervision tools (SIEM) and advanced detection (EDR). As for banks and insurers, they must not only protect themselves, but also demonstrate their compliance with DORA: this requires the use of a risk and compliance management platform (cybersecurity GRC).
Assessing your maturity allows you to prioritize your investments : no need to implement a complex SIEM if the basic processes (backups, updates, identity management) are not controlled. Conversely, staying on basic solutions exposes a mature organization to heavy regulatory sanctions and sophisticated cyberattacks.
Define your priorities
Cybersecurity software does not have the same purpose depending on the strategic objectives of the company. It is therefore essential to clarify your priorities:
- Protecting customer data : an e-commerce company processing online payments will prefer encryption and access control (IAM, MFA).
- Respond to specific regulations : a private clinic will have to integrate software that guarantees GDPR compliance and, in some cases, HIPAA compliance.
- Strengthen the confidence of investors or partners : a SaaS startup looking to raise funds will be able to value the use of a cybersecurity GRC platform, demonstrating its ability to manage its risks and anticipate threats.
These examples show that the “right” software is not universal: it depends on business priorities and the legal or contractual requirements of the organization.
Focus on scalable and interoperable solutions
Cybersecurity can no longer work in silos. An antivirus, EDR, or governance software is only valuable if they communicate with each other and are integrated into the overall architecture of the company.
Concrete example: a company that already uses a SIEM can connect its cybersecurity GRC platform to automatically aggregate incident data and produce consolidated dashboards for COMEX. This avoids duplication of effort, increases the consistency of decisions, and reduces the time spent on audits.
Choosing a solution that can evolve with the business is therefore crucial: threats change quickly, as do regulatory requirements. Relying on interoperable software guarantees the sustainability of investments.
A technical and strategic decision
Choosing cybersecurity software is more than just comparing technical features. It is a structuring decision that engages the company's ability to remain compliant, protect critical assets, and ensure business continuity.
By integrating this thinking into the global strategy, organizations transform cybersecurity from a constraint into a real one. a lever for trust and competitiveness.
Egerie, a cybersecurity software to manage risks and compliance
Most cybersecurity software is designed to responding to technical threats. The added value of Egerie is different: it is a strategic management software which complements these solutions by providing a consolidated and prospective vision.
With Egerie, organizations can:
- Automatically map their cyber risks, taking into account critical assets and their exposure.
- Simulate incident scenarios to assess the potential operational and financial impact.
- Ensuring their compliance with dashboards aligned with RGPD, NIS 2, DORA, ISO 27001, etc.
- Communicate effectively with leaders thanks to clear reports adapted to the COMEX language.
In summary, Egerie does not replace technical solutions (antivirus, EDR, firewall): it complements them by allowing managing cybersecurity across the enterprise and to make it a real lever for governance and resilience.
Towards managed cybersecurity
The term “cybersecurity software” covers a wide variety of tools, from consumer antiviruses to risk management platforms. To make the right choice, it is essential to:
- understand the different families of software,
- assess the maturity and priorities of its organization,
- favour interoperable and scalable solutions.
In this complex landscape, Egerie stands out for its ability to turning cybersecurity into a strategic decision. By centralizing risks, compliance, and incident scenarios, the platform helps CISOs, Risk Managers, and executives to anticipate, prioritize, and communicate with clarity.
Ask a demo of the Egerie platform and discover how to manage your cyber risks with more confidence and efficiency.
Cyber Security Software FAQ
What is cybersecurity software?
Cybersecurity software is an IT solution designed to protect systems, data, and users from cyber threats.
What are the different types of cybersecurity software?
There are four main families: protection software (antivirus, firewall), detection and response software (EDR, SIEM), advanced protection software (encryption, IAM, patch management), and governance and risk management software (cybersecurity GRC) software.
Why is antivirus alone no longer enough?
An antivirus blocks known threats, but is ineffective against sophisticated attacks. It must be complemented by detection, encryption, and risk management solutions.
What is the difference between EDR and cybersecurity GRC software?
EDR detects and neutralizes threats in real time, while GRC software like Egerie provides strategic vision, allows risks to be prioritized and compliance to be demonstrated.
How does Egerie complement other cybersecurity software?
The Egerie platform does not replace technical solutions: it complements them by offering a global risk management and compliance platform, aligned with the expectations of the COMEX and regulatory obligations.
