ESET Endpoint Security Utilizes Local AI Hardware for Enhanced PC Security
ESET, a well-established security company in business since the 1990s, recently showcased its innovative approach to utilizing AI PCs for endpoint security at the ESET World conference in March 2025. The company’s ESET Protect platform offers a comprehensive suite of security solutions, including endpoint, server, and ransomware protection, as well as XDR, threat intelligence, vulnerability management, and MDR services.
In the realm of security, AI technology is not a novelty for companies like ESET. While the tech world has been captivated by generative AI, security vendors have long been leveraging AI for model development, training, and deployment in a different context. ESET’s collaboration with Intel and its integration of Threat Detection Technology (TDT) into its security products reflect a proactive approach towards enhancing security measures.
Traditionally, endpoint security products have relied on collecting data locally for preliminary checks before sending suspicious items to the cloud for deeper analysis. This method, though effective, poses challenges such as increased resource usage, latency, and potential security risks associated with sending data to the cloud. To address these issues, industry players have focused on enhancing hardware and software capabilities.
Intel’s TDT, incorporated into Intel Core CPUs, leverages hardware-level telemetry to detect threats like ransomware and crypto mining with minimal performance impact. Security products like ESET Endpoint Security capitalize on this telemetry data to bolster their threat detection capabilities. Moreover, ESET’s integration with Intel’s hybrid architecture, featuring specialized components for different workloads, optimizes task allocation and enhances endpoint performance.
The introduction of NPUs has further revolutionized ESET’s security operations by enabling the direct deployment of AI models on endpoints. This advancement streamlines the update deployment process and reduces resource consumption, leading to improved performance and energy efficiency. Even users with non-AI PCs benefit from ESET’s refined models, based on telemetry data and Intel TDT observations, further bolstering overall security measures.
The practical implications of deploying AI PCs for security purposes resonate with the fundamental objectives of IT teams: enhancing security protocols, improving user experience, and reducing support burdens. While the allure of AI PCs is undeniable, it is imperative to anticipate potential threats and devise countermeasures to safeguard against malicious exploitation of endpoint NPUs in the future.
The tangible benefits demonstrated by ESET’s implementation of AI PCs underscore the significant value that AI technology brings to the realm of cybersecurity. With real-world evidence reinforcing the efficacy of AI-driven security solutions, the momentum behind AI PCs is poised to endure, provided that practical and impactful use cases continue to drive innovation in the field.
In conclusion, ESET’s pioneering efforts in leveraging local AI hardware for endpoint security exemplify a proactive and strategic approach towards fortifying cybersecurity measures. As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, the integration of AI technology promises to be a game-changer in enhancing threat detection, optimizing performance, and bolstering overall security frameworks.
Gabe Knuth, a senior end-user computing analyst for Enterprise Strategy Group, underscores the transformative potential of AI PCs in addressing cybersecurity challenges and improving IT operations. As AI technology continues to shape the future of cybersecurity, the synergy between AI-driven innovations and practical security applications holds immense promise for creating a more secure and resilient digital environment.