Endpoint protection for business is software that protects every company laptop, desktop, server and phone from malware, ransomware and phishing, and lets IT manage all of them from one console. In 2026 the two names most small and mid-sized firms in Jordan and the GCC compare are Microsoft Defender for Business and Kaspersky (Kaspersky Endpoint Security Cloud and its successor line, Kaspersky Next). The right choice depends less on brand and more on what you already run, how you want to license it, and whether you need patch management, mobile control and ransomware rollback in the same product.
What EPP, EDR and XDR mean#
Vendors use three acronyms, and they are not interchangeable:
- EPP (endpoint protection platform) is the prevention layer: antivirus, behaviour detection, firewall, web filtering, device control and exploit prevention. It tries to stop threats before they run.
- EDR (endpoint detection and response) is the visibility layer. It records what happens on each device so you can see how an attack started, which machines it touched, and respond by isolating a device or stopping a process.
- XDR (extended detection and response) correlates endpoint data with other sources such as email, identity and network logs. It suits larger teams with dedicated security staff.
For most companies with 10 to 300 staff, EPP plus lightweight EDR with automated response is the practical target.
Why endpoint protection matters more in 2026#
Ransomware is the main reason businesses upgrade. According to Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report, ransomware was present in 44% of breaches, up from the previous year, and it was a component in 88% of breaches at small and medium-sized businesses. The same report put the median ransom payment at US$115,000, while 64% of victims did not pay. The bigger cost is usually downtime and recovery work.
Microsoft Defender for Business vs Kaspersky Next: a factual comparison#
Based on the vendors’ published information in 2026; confirm details in a current quote.
| Criteria | Microsoft Defender for Business | Kaspersky Next (EDR Foundations / EDR Optimum) |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is designed for | Organisations with up to 300 users, per Microsoft Learn | Small and mid-sized businesses; higher XDR Expert tier for larger teams |
| Licensing unit | Per user; each user covers up to five devices; servers need an add-on | Per user; one user covers one desktop, laptop or file server plus two mobile devices |
| Published list price | US$3.00 per user per month, paid yearly (Microsoft US pricing page); included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium at US$22.00 | No public global list price; quoted through partners |
| Console | Cloud only, in the Microsoft Defender portal, with optional Intune | Cloud console (Pro view or Expert view) or on-premises Kaspersky Security Center |
| EDR | Included, optimised for SMBs, with automated investigation and remediation | Root-cause analysis in Foundations; IoC scan and endpoint response in Optimum |
| Ransomware response | Automatic attack disruption for attacks in progress | Remediation Engine can roll back many malware changes |
| Patch management | Vulnerability management finds gaps; patching is done through Intune or Windows Update | Patch management included in EDR Optimum |
| Mobile | iOS and Android supported; mobile app availability varies by country | Mobile protection and management, including iOS MDM, from Foundations |
Microsoft Defender for Business in brief#
Microsoft Defender for Business is an endpoint security product based on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and built for small and medium-sized businesses. Microsoft Learn states that it includes next-generation protection, attack surface reduction, EDR, automated investigation and remediation, and core vulnerability management, and that it supports Windows, Mac, iOS/iPadOS and Android. Windows and Linux servers need the separate Defender for Business servers licence, which Microsoft prices at US$3 per server instance; above 60 servers a different licence is required.
Two licensing rules surprise buyers. First, the 300-user ceiling: Microsoft recommends Defender for Endpoint or Microsoft 365 E3/E5 beyond it. Second, mixed licensing is not supported, so if you hold both Defender for Business and Defender for Endpoint Plan 2 licences, everyone gets the Defender for Business experience.
Kaspersky Endpoint Security Cloud and Kaspersky Next in brief#
Kaspersky Next is Kaspersky’s current business line, sold in three tiers. According to Kaspersky, EDR Foundations covers endpoint protection, firewall, web, device and application controls, mobile protection and management, vulnerability assessment and EDR root-cause analysis. EDR Optimum adds patch management, remote data wipe, encryption management, Microsoft 365 security and endpoint response. XDR Expert adds cross-source correlation, sandboxing and playbooks for mature security teams.
Existing Kaspersky Endpoint Security Cloud customers have a documented path: Kaspersky’s help centre explains how to migrate a KES Cloud workspace to Kaspersky Security Center Cloud Console. Plan the move at renewal.
Other options worth a look#
ESET, Sophos, Bitdefender, Trend Micro and CrowdStrike also sell business suites with EPP and EDR tiers; the checklist below applies to them too.
How endpoint licensing works#
Endpoint protection licensing is the set of rules that decides what you pay for: users, devices or servers, and for how long. Three models are common in 2026:
- Per user: one licence per person, covering several devices. Microsoft and Kaspersky Next both use this model, with different device allowances.
- Per device or node: each computer, server or phone is counted separately.
- Bundled: protection included in a wider subscription, such as Defender for Business inside Microsoft 365 Business Premium.
Kaspersky’s documentation gives a useful worked example: with 10 computers or file servers and 32 mobile devices, you need 16 user licences, because half of 32 is higher than 10. Microsoft counts five devices per user but bills servers separately.
The management console: cloud or on-premises#
A management console is the dashboard where you deploy agents, set policies, read alerts and pull reports. A cloud console needs no server and suits branches and remote staff; an on-premises console keeps management data inside your network. Microsoft Defender for Business is cloud only; Kaspersky offers both. When you evaluate a console, check:
- How fast a new laptop can be onboarded, including staff working from home.
- Whether alerts arrive by email and whether reports can be scheduled monthly for management.
- Role-based access, so an outside IT provider can manage devices without full admin rights.
What to check before you buy: a 2026 checklist#
- Ransomware rollback. Kaspersky’s Remediation Engine can restore files modified or deleted by malware, though Kaspersky notes the feature has limitations. Microsoft’s automatic attack disruption focuses on stopping attacks in progress. Neither replaces backups.
- Patch management. Unpatched software is a common entry point. Kaspersky EDR Optimum includes patching. In Microsoft’s model, vulnerability management creates remediation requests and the IT team deploys fixes through Intune; Microsoft states that submitting a request does not change devices by itself.
- Mobile devices. Decide whether you need antivirus only or full device management with remote wipe.
- Servers. Price server protection separately and confirm Linux support if you run it.
- Independent test results. In AV-TEST’s February 2026 business Windows test, Kaspersky Endpoint Security 12.11 and Microsoft Defender Antivirus (Enterprise) 4.18 both scored the maximum 6/6/6 for protection, performance and usability and earned “Top product”. That test measures the protection engine, not the console or EDR, so treat it as a baseline.
- One product only. Microsoft warns that running a second antivirus alongside Defender for Business can cause problems.
- Data and compliance. Endpoints hold personal data. Under Jordan’s Personal Data Protection Law, a breach likely to cause serious harm must be reported to the regulator within 72 hours, according to DLA Piper’s summary of the law. Fast detection makes that deadline realistic.
Regional and regulatory points for Jordan, the GCC and the US#
On 20 June 2024 the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security issued a final determination barring Kaspersky Lab, Inc. and its affiliates from providing anti-virus software and cybersecurity products or services in the United States or to US persons. Kaspersky was allowed to continue signature and codebase updates only until 29 September 2024. The BIS notice adds that existing users face no legal penalty for continuing to use the software, but they carry the security risk.
The prohibition is a US measure. It does not ban Kaspersky in Jordan or the GCC, and Kaspersky continues to market Kaspersky Next in the region. If your group has a US entity, US staff or US government contracts, take legal advice before selecting Kaspersky for those parts of the business.
How Consult One helps#
Consult One, based in Amman, supplies and manages Microsoft and Kaspersky licences for businesses in Jordan, the GCC and the US. We size licences, deploy agents, configure policies and review the console with you monthly. Endpoint protection is one part of our IT infrastructure and security service, alongside firewalls and backups, and it fits into our wider IT services for offices that want one partner for devices, email and network.
Not sure whether Defender for Business, Kaspersky Next or another suite fits your setup? Send us your user, laptop, server and phone count and we will compare licence options and costs for you. Get a free quote.
FAQ#
What is the best endpoint protection for a small business?
There is no single best product. For a company already on Microsoft 365, Defender for Business is usually the simplest fit because it is included in Business Premium and managed in the same portal. Firms that want patch management, mobile device management and encryption control in one endpoint console often shortlist Kaspersky Next EDR Optimum. Pilot two options on real devices before you commit.
Is Microsoft Defender for Business the same as the free Defender antivirus in Windows?
No. Microsoft Defender Antivirus is built into Windows, while Defender for Business is a paid subscription that adds endpoint detection and response, automated investigation and remediation, vulnerability management and central management for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android. Microsoft lists it at US$3.00 per user per month, paid yearly, for organisations with up to 300 users.
Can businesses in Jordan and the GCC still buy Kaspersky?
The 2024 prohibition issued by the US Department of Commerce applies to Kaspersky providing products and services in the United States or to US persons. It is not a ban in Jordan or the GCC, and Kaspersky still markets Kaspersky Next through its Middle East website. Companies with US entities, US staff or US contracts should check their own obligations before choosing it.
What is the difference between EPP and EDR?
EPP, or endpoint protection platform, prevents known and suspicious threats with antivirus, firewall, web and device controls. EDR, or endpoint detection and response, records activity on each device so your team can detect attacks that slipped past prevention, see how they started and respond by isolating the device or killing processes. Most business plans in 2026 combine both.
How is endpoint protection licensed?
Most business products are sold as annual subscriptions. Microsoft licenses Defender for Business per user, with each user covering up to five devices and servers licensed separately. Kaspersky Next is licensed per user, where one user covers one desktop, laptop or file server plus two mobile devices. Always count servers and phones separately before you request a quote.
Do I still need backups if my endpoint protection has ransomware rollback?
Yes. Rollback features such as Kaspersky’s Remediation Engine can undo many changes made by malware, but Kaspersky’s own documentation says file recovery has limitations. Microsoft’s automatic attack disruption aims to stop an attack in progress, not to restore every file. Keep separate, tested backups with at least one copy that ransomware cannot reach.
