1.2 Compare security deployments
📘Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate (200-201 CBROPS v1.2, 2025 Update)
What are agentless and agent-based protections?
In cybersecurity, protecting devices (servers, endpoints, applications) often requires monitoring for threats, vulnerabilities, or suspicious activity. This is usually done through security software that either:
- Requires installation on the device itself (agent-based), or
- Does not require installation on the device (agentless).
Think of “agent” as a small program that runs on a device to collect and send security information.
2. Agent-Based Protection
Definition:
Agent-based protection uses software installed directly on the device (server, endpoint, or workstation). This agent continuously monitors the device for threats, vulnerabilities, or abnormal behavior.
Key Features:
- Installed on the endpoint: The agent lives on the device’s OS.
- Real-time monitoring: Can track activities as they happen (e.g., file changes, process activity, network connections).
- Direct control: Security policies can be applied directly to the device.
- Offline capability: Works even if the device is not connected to the network because it runs locally.
Common Uses in IT Environments:
- Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPP): Antivirus, anti-malware agents on laptops or servers.
- Host-based Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (HIDS/HIPS): Monitors logs, processes, and file changes locally.
- Patch management agents: Detect and install updates on a specific device.
Advantages:
- Deep visibility: Can see everything happening on the device.
- Can enforce policies directly: Can block or quarantine threats.
- Works offline: Useful for laptops or remote servers not always connected.
Disadvantages:
- Resource usage: Agents consume CPU, memory, and storage.
- Management overhead: Each device must have the agent installed and maintained.
- Compatibility issues: Agents must be compatible with the OS and hardware.
3. Agentless Protection
Definition:
Agentless protection does not require installing software on the device. Instead, it uses network-based or external tools to monitor systems.
Key Features:
- No installation on endpoints: Uses network scanning or API connections to gather data.
- Centralized monitoring: A central console can see multiple devices at once.
- Real-time or scheduled checks: May not see everything immediately because it relies on network traffic or API data.
- Works through existing protocols: Uses protocols like SNMP, SSH, WMI, or APIs to access device information.
Common Uses in IT Environments:
- Network Intrusion Detection Systems (NIDS): Monitors traffic across the network without touching endpoints.
- Vulnerability scanners: Scan devices over the network to find missing patches or misconfigurations.
- Cloud security monitoring: Uses APIs to monitor cloud workloads without installing anything on each VM.
Advantages:
- Easy to deploy: No need to install software on every device.
- Low impact on performance: Doesn’t consume device resources.
- Centralized management: Manage many devices from one console.
Disadvantages:
- Limited visibility: Cannot see everything happening inside the device (e.g., local file changes, processes).
- Requires network connectivity: Needs the device to be reachable over the network.
- Delayed response: Threat detection may be slower than agent-based because it depends on polling intervals.
4. Agent-Based vs. Agentless: Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Agent-Based | Agentless |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Requires software on each device | No software on device |
| Visibility | Deep, real-time monitoring | Limited, mostly network or API-based |
| Resource usage | Uses device CPU/memory | Minimal device impact |
| Offline operation | Works offline | Requires network connection |
| Management | Can be complex for many devices | Easier centralized management |
| Examples | Antivirus, HIDS, patch agents | Network IDS, vulnerability scanners, cloud monitoring via APIs |
5. When to Use Each Approach
- Agent-Based Protection is best when you need detailed, real-time monitoring on each device, or need the ability to act directly on threats.
- Agentless Protection is best when managing large networks, cloud environments, or devices that cannot have software installed.
In practice: Many organizations use a hybrid approach, combining both agent-based and agentless protections to get the best of both worlds.
6. Exam Tips for Cisco 200-201 CBROPS
- Remember “agent-based = installed, deep visibility, local control”.
- Remember “agentless = no installation, network/API monitoring, centralized”.
- Know real-world IT examples: antivirus (agent-based), NIDS (agentless), cloud monitoring (agentless via APIs).
- Understand advantages vs disadvantages, because exam questions often test your ability to choose the right solution for a scenario.
