#Cybersecurity #AV-Comparatives #EPR Test 2026

AV-Comparatives EPR Test 2026: A Robust Evaluation of Cybersecurity Solutions

The cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving, and with it, the methods used by both attackers and defenders. In a notable development, AV-Comparatives has released the results of its Endpoint Prevention and Response (EPR) Test for the year 2026, showcasing a significant leap in cybersecurity resilience. This year’s test, marking the seventh iteration of EPR, has seen 11 out of 14 evaluated security products achieve the Certified Leader certification, symbolizing the highest recognition from AV-Comparatives.

Background of EPR Testing

The EPR test has been designed to assess the effectiveness of endpoint security solutions against real-world cyber threats. It employs a range of multi-stage attack scenarios, simulating genuine intruder activities such as phishing, privilege escalation, lateral movement, and data theft. This year, AV-Comparatives started testing in May 2026, scrutinizing 14 leading business security products against a staggering 50 attack scenarios. These scenarios were not arbitrary but crafted using AI-aided development techniques, grounded in the MITRE ATT&CK framework—a respected industry benchmark that models the methodologies employed by cybercriminals.

Growing Challenges in Cybersecurity

As organizations grapple with the growing complexity of cyber threats, independent research indicates that the average lifecycle of a corporate data breach stretches approximately 241 days, from intrusion to containment. This underscores the need for robust defense mechanisms in place, as highlighted by the escalation in reports of security vulnerabilities.

Notable Findings

Among the standout performers in this rigorous testing were:

• - Bitdefender
• - Broadcom
• - Check Point
• - Elastic
• - ESET
• - Fortinet
• - G Data
• - Palo Alto Networks
• - TrendAI
• - VIPRE
• - WithSecure

These providers successfully met the stringent requirements set forth by AV-Comparatives, as they collectively achieved a remarkable combined detection rate surpassing the 92% threshold. Notably absent from the leader list were the three products that did not meet this benchmark—though they are not identified individually in the report.

Insights from Industry Leaders

Andreas Clementi, CEO of AV-Comparatives, remarked on the shifting landscape of cybersecurity defenses, stating, “Attackers are mastering techniques that have been utilized by defenders for significantly longer.