What is ESET Business Security?
ESET Business Security is a long-established endpoint protection platform developed by ESET, a Slovak cybersecurity company. It uses a multi-layered approach combining the ESET LiveGrid cloud reputation system, a network attack protection module, and a ransomware shield. In our 30-day test it achieved a 99.1% detection rate — excellent by any standard — with notably lower system impact than most competitors.
What is ESET LiveGrid?
ESET LiveGrid is ESET's cloud-based threat intelligence system. It collects anonymised telemetry from millions of ESET-protected devices worldwide and uses this real-time data to identify new and unknown malware before traditional signature databases are updated. When an endpoint encounters a suspicious file, LiveGrid checks it against the global cloud reputation network in milliseconds — enabling ESET to block zero-day threats without waiting for a signature update. This is a key reason for the platform's consistently low false-positive rate.
Pros and cons
Pros
- 99.1% detection rate — above industry average
- Lowest system footprint in its class — ideal for older hardware
- Strong GDPR compliance tooling — built by a European company under EU jurisdiction
- ESET PROTECT console supports remote management across all devices
Cons
- No ransomware file rollback (blocks at the exploit stage instead)
- ESET PROTECT console has a steeper learning curve than GravityZone
- Slightly lower detection rate than Bitdefender
Best for
- SMBs in the EU wanting GDPR-aligned protection from a European vendor
- Businesses running older hardware where system performance matters
- IT administrators who want granular policy control
Our verdict
ESET Business Security is an excellent endpoint platform that deserves its reputation. It's our pick for EU-based SMBs that prioritise GDPR compliance tooling and light system impact — particularly for teams with older hardware. The detection rate is slightly below Bitdefender's, but the difference is small in practice, and ESET's European data handling gives it a compliance advantage for regulated industries.