🛡️ Cylance PROTECT by BlackBerry: AI-First Endpoint Security for the Enterprise

🎯 Executive Summary

CylancePROTECT, developed by BlackBerry, is a predictive AI-driven endpoint protection platform (EPP) that proactively prevents known and unknown cyber threats without requiring signatures or constant updates. Built on a lightweight agent and powered by a proprietary machine learning (ML) model, CylancePROTECT focuses on prevention-first security, aligning well with VAPT strategies and agentic cybersecurity operations.

For C-Suite leaders, the solution offers an efficient way to reduce attack surface, streamline endpoint security operations, and optimise ROI by eliminating the overhead associated with reactive detection tools. Its offline AI decision-making makes it particularly attractive to highly regulated industries and remote environments.

🔍 How CylancePROTECT Works

🔐 Core Capabilities:

Feature	Description
AI-Driven Malware Prevention	Predicts and prevents execution of malicious code using static AI analysis
Memory Exploitation Protection	Blocks common exploit techniques such as buffer overflows and DLL injection
Script Control	Regulates execution of scripts like PowerShell, Python, and VBScript
Device Control	Manages access to USBs, storage devices, and peripherals
Application Control	Enforces allowlisting policies using AI-based reputation scoring
Offline Protection	Performs threat assessments without cloud dependency

🧠 Agentic AI Functionality: Intelligent Prevention at the Edge

CylancePROTECT deploys a pre-trained mathematical model that evaluates files based on billions of file attributes. This model runs locally on the endpoint, enabling:

Autonomous prevention of zero-day attacks
File classification in milliseconds without cloud lookup
No reliance on signatures, heuristics, or behavioural analysis
Minimal system resource usage (~1% CPU)

This positions CylancePROTECT as a truly agentic security solution, capable of making decisions and taking actions without network connectivity or human interaction.

⚙️ CylancePROTECT + VAPT Alignment

CylancePROTECT is purpose-built to complement VAPT engagements by delivering AI-powered, proactive security posture insights.

VAPT Phase	CylancePROTECT Role
Reconnaissance	Detects probing tools and unusual script execution attempts
Exploitation	Prevents payload execution based on AI judgement rather than reactive signatures
Persistence & Lateral Movement	Stops privilege escalation and shellcode execution attempts
Privilege Escalation	Blocks memory tampering and injection techniques
Post-Exploitation	Controls data exfiltration vectors via device and script control policies

During red teaming or penetration testing, CylancePROTECT often pre-empts successful exploit chains, allowing CISOs to benchmark security efficacy and validate zero-trust assumptions.

🧪 Use Case: Healthcare VAPT Readiness

Scenario:

A private healthcare provider undergoing a VAPT assessment targeted their legacy endpoints and medical IoT devices.

Implementation with CylancePROTECT:

Deployed across radiology and billing systems
Stopped ransomware emulation tools during offline testing
Prevented USB-based payloads and unauthorised macros
Provided clean audit logs and forensic telemetry

Outcome:

90% reduction in successful VAPT attack chains
Achieved compliance with HIPAA and NIS2 regulations
Reduced remediation spend by over 60% through proactive blocking

📈 Business Impact for the C-Suite

Metric	CylancePROTECT Advantage
Endpoint security overhead	↓ Due to signatureless, autonomous protection
Threat detection and prevention gap	↓ Through predictive analysis
IT operational load	↓ Thanks to low agent footprint and minimal tuning
Incident response time	↓ by stopping threats at pre-execution phase
ROI on security investment	↑ With less need for forensic cleanup, patching, and manual intervention

CylancePROTECT strengthens board-level confidence by quantifying business resilience and enabling predictive risk mitigation.

🔄 Integration Ecosystem

CylancePROTECT fits within a broader cybersecurity architecture, working in concert with:

SIEMs like Splunk, IBM QRadar
MDR platforms and BlackBerry Optics EDR
Security orchestration tools (SOAR)
Asset and patch management solutions
Network isolation tools for containment at scale

🧭 Implementation Strategy

Risk-focused VAPT alignment with internal red teams or third-party audits
Pilot deployment on high-risk endpoints and remote assets
Offline testing against emulated attack payloads
Operational playbook integration with existing IR workflows
Continuous tuning using post-VAPT insights

📊 C-Suite-Focused Reporting & Risk Visibility

CylancePROTECT delivers:

Real-time dashboards for threat classification trends
Executive summaries for endpoint security posture
Detailed logs for audit, forensics, and compliance validation
Scoring of devices based on exploitability potential

These allow CTOs and CISOs to engage boards with data-driven cybersecurity narratives tied to operational KPIs.

🧩 CylancePROTECT vs Competitors (At-a-Glance)

Capability	CylancePROTECT	CrowdStrike Falcon	Microsoft Defender XDR
AI Model Location	On-device	Cloud & hybrid	Cloud-centric
Offline Protection	✅ Yes	⚠️ Partial	❌ Limited
Agent Footprint	Very Light	Medium	Heavy (depends on config)
Script & Device Control	Advanced	Moderate	Basic
Signature Dependency	None	Some	Yes

Ideal for organisations seeking lightweight, AI-native defence with offline capabilities, especially in healthcare, government, finance, and manufacturing.

🔐 Zero Trust Enablement with CylancePROTECT

Assumes all executables are untrusted until proven benign
No default allowlisting based on prior signatures or vendor reputation
Prevents lateral movement via memory and script execution controls
Works independently of connectivity, enforcing trust at the edge

🔚 Predictive Prevention for Enterprise-Grade VAPT Resilience

CylancePROTECT is a strategic investment in Agentic AI-based information security, delivering measurable risk reduction and long-term cyber sustainability. For security leaders prioritising:

Operational continuity
Lightweight yet intelligent endpoint protection
Prevention-centric VAPT alignment
Cost-effective compliance

CylancePROTECT stands as a proactive and efficient guardian of digital trust.