AV-Comparatives Validates Real-World Threat Detection for 2025 Certification
In a landscape marked by increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, the need for robust threat detection has never been more critical. AV-Comparatives, a leading independent testing organization, has recently unveiled its 2025 EDR/XDR certification, which aims to guide Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) in evaluating the efficacy of their security solutions against real-world threats.
The Importance of Effective Threat Detection
As cybercriminals continuously innovate their tactics, organizations must move beyond treating threat detection as a mere checkbox task. Andreas Clementi, the CEO and founder of AV-Comparatives, emphasized, “Detection can’t be a simple checkbox. Our 2025 EDR/XDR certification assists CISOs in measuring the effectiveness of their tools in identifying advanced threats.” This new certification process evaluates the ability of various cybersecurity products to detect and report real-world attack scenarios, providing vital insights into their visibility and effectiveness.
Methodology Behind the Certification
In the latest round of testing, AV-Comparatives put several leading cybersecurity solutions through rigorous assessments designed to simulate advanced persistent threat (APT) scenarios. This included using known tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) derived from reputable frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK. The testing was conducted in a surveillance-only mode, meaning that prevention functions were intentionally disabled to focus purely on detection capabilities.
This methodology allowed for a comprehensive evaluation of each product's ability to detect and report threats, offering a clear view of its telemetry quality and threat detection precision. It was revealed that
five out of seven tested solutions successfully met the stringent requirements to achieve certification.
Certified Solutions for 2025
The following products successfully underwent certification in the 2025 testing cycle, demonstrating their robust detection capabilities:
- - CrowdStrike Falcon Pro
- - ESET PROTECT Enterprise Cloud
- - G DATA 365 MXDR (MDR solution)
- - Kaspersky Next EDR Expert (in trial phase)
- - Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR Pro
This range of certified solutions indicates that both EDR and XDR products, as well as Managed Detection and Response (MDR) offerings, can be rigorously evaluated under realistic attack conditions.
Focusing on Real-Time Visibility
The assessment targets the heart of threat detection by measuring an organization’s capacity to respond to real threats effectively. The goal is not just to prevent breaches but to ensure timely detection and accurate reporting of threats, which are crucial for a resilient cybersecurity posture.
Points of emphasis in the AV-Comparatives methodology include:
- - Execution of complex attack chains to assess detection accuracy.
- - Validation of detections through alerts in management consoles or manual threat hunting in telemetry.
- - A transparent certification model, ensuring that only products reaching the detection threshold are certified and publicly listed.
- - Continuous improvements informed by independent analyst feedback, enhancing transparency and clarity in scoring and validating telemetry data.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As AV-Comparatives gears up for the certification cycle for 2026, the organization plans to incorporate further enhancements based on industry feedback. This iterative process serves to improve the certification's rigor and reliability, maintaining its relevance in an ever-changing cyber threat landscape.
The EDR detection validation test remains open to EPP, EDR, XDR, and MDR providers wishing to independently validate their detection claims. Achieving this certification provides significant industry recognition and offers insights into the real-world performance of their solutions.
For cybersecurity providers interested in participating in future tests or learning more about the certification process, AV-Comparatives encourages them to reach out directly through their official contact channels.
For further information, results of previous cybersecurity tests, and access to a comprehensive list of evaluated products, visit
AV-Comparatives or Specific product details can be sought from names like Avast, Bitdefender, Fortinet, Sophos, among many others.
In closing, as cyber threats evolve, regular assessments such as those conducted by AV-Comparatives are essential to maintain strong defenses in the digital realm.