How Do Darktrace and Cylance Differ in Their Approach to AI Security?

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• What is Darktrace?
• What is Cylance?
• AI Approaches in Cybersecurity
• Darktrace’s AI Security Approach
• Cylance’s AI Security Approach
• Key Differences Between Darktrace and Cylance
• Comparison of Darktrace and Cylance
• Use Cases for Each Tool
• Strengths and Limitations
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction

As cyberattacks grow more sophisticated, relying on traditional security tools like firewalls or signature-based antivirus software is no longer enough. AI-powered solutions, such as Darktrace and Cylance, offer innovative ways to detect and prevent threats in real time. Darktrace, known for its “Enterprise Immune System,” uses AI to mimic the human immune system, learning an organization’s normal behavior to spot anomalies. Cylance, on the other hand, focuses on endpoints, using predictive AI to stop malware before it executes. Both are leaders in AI cybersecurity, but their methods and focus areas differ. Let’s dive into their approaches, strengths, and how they fit into modern security strategies.

What is Darktrace?

Darktrace, founded in 2013 in Cambridge, UK, is a cybersecurity company that uses self-learning AI to protect networks, cloud environments, and IoT devices. Its flagship product, the Enterprise Immune System, learns the “pattern of life” for every user, device, and system within an organization. This allows Darktrace to detect anomalies—potential threats—in real time, even if they’re previously unseen. Darktrace’s suite includes tools like Darktrace Antigena for autonomous response and Darktrace/Email for phishing protection, making it a versatile solution for diverse environments.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darktrace

What is Cylance?

Cylance, acquired by BlackBerry in 2018, is a cybersecurity platform that specializes in endpoint protection. Its primary product, CylancePROTECT, uses AI and machine learning to predict and prevent threats by analyzing the behavior and attributes of files before they run. Unlike traditional antivirus software that relies on known threat signatures, Cylance’s predictive approach stops malware, including zero-day attacks, with minimal system impact. Cylance is known for its lightweight design, making it ideal for devices with limited resources, such as IoT endpoints.

https://www.comparitech.com/blog/information-security/leading-ai-cybersecurity-companies

AI Approaches in Cybersecurity

AI in cybersecurity typically involves two main techniques:

• Supervised Machine Learning: Uses labeled datasets of known threats to train models, effective for recognizing familiar attack patterns but less so for new threats.
• Unsupervised Machine Learning: Analyzes data without predefined labels, learning normal behavior to detect anomalies, ideal for spotting unknown threats.

Darktrace primarily uses unsupervised machine learning, while Cylance blends supervised and unsupervised techniques with a focus on predictive analysis. These approaches shape how each tool tackles cyber threats.

Darktrace’s AI Security Approach

Darktrace’s philosophy is inspired by the human immune system, aiming to detect and respond to threats proactively across entire digital environments. Its approach includes:

• Self-Learning AI: Learns the normal behavior of networks, users, and devices to create a unique “pattern of life.”
• Anomaly Detection: Identifies deviations from normal behavior, such as unusual data transfers, to flag potential threats.
• Autonomous Response: Darktrace Antigena takes actions, like isolating devices, to stop threats in real time without human intervention.
• Comprehensive Coverage: Protects networks, cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud), email, and IoT/OT environments.
• Cyber AI Analyst: Automates threat investigations, mimicking human analysts to prioritize alerts and reduce response times.

For example, if a compromised device starts scanning a network, Darktrace detects this anomaly and isolates the device, preventing further damage.

https://globalcybersecuritynetwork.com/company/darktrace

Cylance’s AI Security Approach

Cylance focuses on endpoint protection, using AI to prevent threats before they execute. Its approach includes:

• Predictive Analysis: Analyzes file attributes to predict malicious behavior, stopping malware before it runs.
• Behavior-Based Detection: Monitors file and program behavior to catch zero-day threats that don’t match known signatures.
• Lightweight Design: Uses minimal CPU and memory, ideal for endpoints like IoT devices or laptops.
• Offline Capability: Protects devices without constant internet connectivity, relying on local AI models.
• Endpoint Focus: Primarily secures individual devices, such as servers, workstations, and IoT endpoints.

For instance, Cylance can block a ransomware file on a smart sensor by analyzing its code before it activates, preventing an attack.

https://www.nanalyze.com/2017/04/6-ai-cybersecurity-startups

Key Differences Between Darktrace and Cylance

While both tools use AI, their approaches differ in scope, methodology, and application:

• Scope of Protection: Darktrace secures entire digital ecosystems (networks, cloud, email, IoT), while Cylance focuses on endpoints.
• AI Methodology: Darktrace relies on unsupervised learning for anomaly detection, while Cylance uses a mix of supervised and unsupervised learning for predictive threat prevention.
• Response Mechanism: Darktrace’s Antigena offers autonomous response, while Cylance focuses on prevention, with limited automated response capabilities.
• Resource Usage: Cylance is lightweight, ideal for resource-constrained devices, whereas Darktrace requires more infrastructure for network-wide monitoring.
• Deployment Speed: Darktrace integrates quickly with cloud and network environments, while Cylance’s endpoint agents are fast to deploy but limited to devices.

Comparison of Darktrace and Cylance

Use Cases for Each Tool

Darktrace Use Cases:

• Detecting insider threats in corporate networks by spotting unusual user behavior.
• Protecting cloud environments from misconfigurations and unauthorized access.
• Stopping ransomware in industrial IoT systems by isolating compromised devices.
• Preventing phishing attacks through Darktrace/Email’s AI-driven analysis.

Cylance Use Cases:

• Securing IoT devices, like smart cameras, from malware with lightweight agents.
• Preventing ransomware on employee laptops before it executes.
• Protecting medical devices in hospitals from zero-day attacks.
• Safeguarding servers in data centers with minimal performance impact.

Strengths and Limitations

Darktrace Strengths:

• Comprehensive protection across diverse environments.
• Autonomous response reduces human intervention.
• Effective against unknown and insider threats.

Darktrace Limitations:

• Complex setup for large networks.
• Higher resource demands for monitoring.
• Costly for smaller organizations.

Cylance Strengths:

• Lightweight and efficient for endpoints.
• Strong predictive capabilities for zero-day threats.
• Works offline, ideal for remote devices.

Cylance Limitations:

• Limited to endpoint protection, not network-wide.
• Lacks autonomous response features.
• Potential compatibility issues with some systems.

Conclusion

Darktrace and Cylance are both powerful AI-driven cybersecurity tools, but they cater to different needs. Darktrace’s strength lies in its holistic, network-wide approach, using unsupervised learning to detect anomalies and respond autonomously across cloud, email, and IoT environments. Cylance excels in endpoint protection, leveraging predictive AI to stop threats before they execute, with a lightweight design perfect for resource-constrained devices. Choosing between them depends on your organization’s needs: Darktrace for comprehensive network security, Cylance for focused endpoint defense. By understanding their differences, businesses can make informed decisions to strengthen their cybersecurity posture in an increasingly complex threat landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between Darktrace and Cylance?

Darktrace focuses on network-wide anomaly detection, while Cylance specializes in endpoint threat prevention.

How does Darktrace use AI?

Darktrace uses unsupervised machine learning to learn normal behavior and detect anomalies across networks, cloud, and IoT.

How does Cylance use AI?

Cylance uses a mix of supervised and unsupervised learning to predict and prevent threats on endpoints before they execute.

Can Darktrace stop threats automatically?

Yes, Darktrace Antigena autonomously responds to threats by isolating devices or blocking connections.

Does Cylance offer autonomous response?

No, Cylance focuses on preventing threats before execution, with limited automated response capabilities.

Is Darktrace suitable for small businesses?

Darktrace is powerful but may be costly and complex for small businesses with limited resources.

Is Cylance good for IoT devices?

Yes, Cylance’s lightweight agents are ideal for securing resource-constrained IoT devices.

Can Darktrace protect cloud environments?

Yes, Darktrace integrates with AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud to secure cloud platforms.

Does Cylance work offline?

Yes, Cylance’s AI models can protect endpoints without constant internet connectivity.

How does Darktrace detect unknown threats?

It identifies anomalies by comparing current activity to learned normal behavior, catching zero-day threats.

How does Cylance handle zero-day attacks?

Cylance predicts malicious behavior by analyzing file attributes, stopping attacks before they run.

Which tool is better for network security?

Darktrace is better for network-wide security due to its comprehensive monitoring capabilities.

Which tool is better for endpoint security?

Cylance is better for endpoint protection due to its lightweight, predictive approach.

Can Darktrace and Cylance be used together?

Yes, they can complement each other, with Darktrace securing networks and Cylance protecting endpoints.

Does Darktrace require a large security team?

No, its autonomous features reduce the need for extensive human oversight.

Is Cylance easy to deploy?

Yes, its lightweight agents are quick to install, though some systems may face compatibility issues.

How does Darktrace handle email security?

Darktrace/Email uses AI to analyze message content and sender behavior to stop phishing attacks.

Can Cylance protect against ransomware?

Yes, it prevents ransomware by blocking malicious files before they execute.

What industries benefit from Darktrace?

Industries like finance, healthcare, and government use Darktrace for network and cloud security.

What industries benefit from Cylance?

Healthcare, manufacturing, and retail use Cylance for endpoint and IoT security.