Antivirus protection tool (APT)

What is an antivirus protection tool

Antivirus protection tool (APT) is a class of software and software-hardware solutions designed to detect, block and remove computer programs or other computer information intended for unauthorized destruction, blocking, modification, copying of information or neutralization of protection tools.

APT is a mandatory protection element for all information systems processing personal data or state secrets. Unlike ordinary antiviruses, APT passes certification by FSTEC of Russia and is included in the Register of Domestic Software.

According to analysts, the number of cyberattacks in Russia grows by 20-30% every year, which makes the use of certified APT critically important for protecting government and commercial systems. APT provides protection from a wide range of threats: from classic viruses and Trojans to complex targeted attacks (APT) and ransomware.

Main functions of the antivirus protection tool

Antivirus protection tools perform the following functions:

• Detection of malware — signature, heuristic and behavioral analysis.
• Blocking threats — prevention of the launch of malicious programs and access to malicious sites.
• Removal and quarantine — isolation or removal of infected files.
• Real-time monitoring — background protection 24/7.
• Audit and logging — registration of events for SIEM systems.

APT integrates with cryptographic protection tools (CIPF), providing protection at all levels of the information system. This is especially important for critical information infrastructure (CII) facilities, where certified APT is a mandatory requirement of regulators.

Modern APTs use machine learning technologies to detect new, previously unknown threats. This makes it possible to detect malware that has not yet been added to signature databases. Behavioral analysis tracks anomalous program actions, which helps detect complex attacks such as the use of zero-day vulnerabilities.

Types of antivirus protection tools

Antivirus protection tools are classified by purpose:

• Certified solutions for government agencies — pass strict checks of FSTEC and the FSB.
• Corporate products — have centralized management and integration with SIEM.
• Personal solutions — for home users and small businesses.

The choice of APT is critically important for compliance with regulatory requirements. The design service will help determine the optimal solution, and training courses will allow specialists to correctly configure and operate the system.

For government systems, APT must be included in the Register of Domestic Software and have an FSTEC certificate confirming its compliance with security requirements. Such solutions provide protection from threats at the level required for working with personal data and state secrets.

APT and antivirus software: what is the difference

Although the terms are often used as synonyms, there are important differences between APT and ordinary antivirus software. APT is a certified tool that meets the strict requirements of FSTEC and can be used in government systems. Ordinary antivirus software may not have certification and may not provide the necessary level of protection for working with personal data.

APT also has extended audit and integration functions with security systems, such as SIEM and EDR/XDR. This makes it possible to build a comprehensive protection system that not only detects threats, but also automatically responds to them.