Most mid-sized businesses are still relying on antivirus software that hasn’t fundamentally changed since the early 2000s. Install it, hope it catches something, and pray it updates in time. That model doesn’t work anymore, and attackers know it.
You’re not dealing with viruses. You’re dealing with credential theft, fileless malware, and identity-based attacks that blend in with normal user behaviour. Most AV tools can’t see them coming, and worse, can’t do anything once they’re inside.
That’s where CrowdStrike Falcon fills the gaps.
This isn’t your traditional security software. It’s a full-scale endpoint security solution that covers the entire attack chain from initial access to containment and recovery. And yes, we’ve tested it in the wild. It works.
What Does CrowdStrike Falcon Do?
Let’s break it down. CrowdStrike Falcon is more than antivirus; it’s a platform built to detect, stop, and investigate every step of a modern cyberattack. This isn’t theoretical. We use it daily as part of our MDR stack, tuned to the realities of Australian businesses.
Here’s what Falcon delivers that traditional AV just doesn’t:
- Real-time detection using AI and behavioural analytics: Falcon watches what’s happening, not just what files look like. It flags suspicious behaviour the moment it starts, not after your data’s encrypted.
- Mapped to MITRE ATT&CK: Every threat is logged against a known attacker tactic. You get clear visibility of what happened, how, and where to plug the gap.
- Integrated EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response): It’s not just spotting threats, it’s recording every action on the endpoint. That means complete forensic timelines, root cause clarity, and zero guesswork when you’re under pressure.
- Automated response with tailored playbooks: If something’s off, Falcon can isolate the device, lock the user, or kill the process. Instantly. We customise these workflows to your business, not some vendor template.
- Supports all major operating systems: Falcon runs across Windows, macOS, and Linux. No clunky overhead, no compatibility drama. Just a single lightweight agent that does the job.
If you’re still asking what does the CrowdStrike Falcon platform do, here’s the shortest summary we can come up with:
- Stops ransomware
- Blocks insider threats
- Enables full visibility
- Gives you real control over your security posture
We deploy it. We manage it. We fine-tune it to your environment. And if something gets through? We back it with a 15-minute response window, not a support ticket queue.
Want a deeper explanation? We spared no detail: What is CrowdStrike Falcon? The Ultimate Guide
Falcon Sensor: The Lightweight Workhorse
A lot of security tools slow you down with all the configuration and oversight needed. Falcon doesn’t. The CrowdStrike Falcon sensor is a single, lightweight agent that runs quietly in the background across all your endpoints. It doesn’t need constant signature updates, doesn’t hog CPU, and doesn’t choke your network.
What the Falcon Sensor Does:
- Monitors all processes, file activity, and user actions in real time
- Detects suspicious behaviour, even without a known malware signature
- Works across all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Sends telemetry back to the CrowdStrike cloud for analysis and response, fast
Basically, the CrowdStrike sensor watches everything, catches what others miss, and doesn’t get in your way. It’s also the foundation for real-time threat detection, EDR, NGAV, device control, and threat hunting.
No reboots. No clunky updates. No bloated agents.
CrowdStrike vs. Traditional Antivirus
This is where things get real. If you’re still relying on traditional antivirus, here’s what you’re actually missing. CrowdStrike Falcon isn’t a replacement for AV. It’s what AV should’ve been 10 years ago.
Here’s a straight-up comparison:
| Capability | Traditional Antivirus | CrowdStrike Falcon |
|---|---|---|
| Threat Detection | Signature-based | AI + behavioural + threat intelligence |
| Response Speed | Manual (if any) | Instant - automated and human-backed |
| Visibility After Infection | None | Full endpoint detection and response (EDR) |
| Coverage of MITRE ATT&CK Techniques | Limited | Near-complete coverage across all tactics |
| Performance Impact | High | Minimal; single lightweight sensor |
| System Support | Mostly Windows | All major operating systems supported |
Why Traditional AV Fails:
- It waits for something to be flagged by someone else first.
- It can’t see fileless malware, privilege escalation, or lateral movement.
- It has no idea what’s happening after the initial alert.
Why Falcon Works:
- Stops threats before they spread
- Shows you exactly what happened and how
- Gives you the tools to stop it from happening again
Real-World Threats, Mapped to MITRE ATT&CK
If your security tool doesn’t speak the language of attackers, it’s already behind.
CrowdStrike Falcon tracks threats using the MITRE ATT&CK Matrix—a global framework that maps every stage of an attack: initial access, execution, persistence, lateral movement, and more. It’s how real-world threat actors operate. And Falcon watches for it all.
Why This Matters:
- You’re seeing the tactic, technique, and path the threat used
- Falcon tags each detection with the matching ATT&CK technique (e.g., credential dumping, remote services, code injection)
- Every alert includes full context, not just a filename and “malicious” label
This threat detection is tied directly to how attackers actually break into systems.
It’s also a massive advantage for any team working on endpoint detection and response (EDR), threat hunting, or aligning to compliance frameworks like the Essential 8. You get visibility. You get structure. You get a platform that makes sense of chaos and stops it before it spreads.
AV is Dead. You Need a Platform That Works.
CrowdStrike Falcon is a shift to real-time, full-lifecycle threat detection, response, and investigation. It’s tied to frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK and backed by serious automation.
For mid-sized Australian businesses, this means:
- Fewer breaches
- Faster containment
- Better compliance reporting
- Security that adapts to how you actually work
We’ve seen too many teams discover Falcon after an incident. That’s the wrong time to find out your AV wasn’t enough.
If you want to see what CrowdStrike Falcon can catch in your environment, we can give you a walkthrough. Our team will uncover the blind spots, show you what’s being missed, and explain how Falcon fills the gaps. Without any of the usual sales fluff.
FAQ
What does Falcon CrowdStrike do?
CrowdStrike Falcon is a cloud-native endpoint security solution that provides real-time threat detection, prevention, and response. It combines next-generation antivirus (NGAV), endpoint detection and response (EDR), threat intelligence, and automated workflows into a single lightweight platform.
Falcon stops malware, fileless attacks, insider threats, and ransomware by analysing behaviour across the full threat lifecycle. It maps threats against the MITRE ATT&CK Matrix for detailed insights and faster remediation.
How does the CrowdStrike Falcon sensor work?
The Falcon sensor is a small, single agent installed on endpoints, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. It monitors system activity continuously and sends telemetry to CrowdStrike’s cloud analytics engine.
The sensor detects suspicious behaviour using machine learning, heuristics, and known threat intelligence, without needing daily signature updates. It runs silently, with minimal CPU usage, and enables automated actions like device isolation or user lockout in real time.
Why choose CrowdStrike over traditional antivirus?
Traditional antivirus tools rely on known malware signatures and usually miss modern attacks like credential theft, lateral movement, and zero-day exploits. CrowdStrike Falcon doesn’t need signatures. It uses behavioural analytics, AI, and real-time visibility to detect attacks as they unfold.
Unlike legacy AV, Falcon offers EDR, NGAV, threat hunting, and rapid response capabilities in one platform, providing broader threat protection and faster containment.
How does CrowdStrike support compliance requirements?
CrowdStrike Falcon helps businesses meet regulatory and industry frameworks by:
- Mapping detections to the MITRE ATT&CK Matrix
- Supporting maturity models like the Essential 8
- Enabling detailed incident reporting and audit trails
- Logging all endpoint activity for forensic analysis
- Integrating with SIEM and compliance tools
This supports compliance for ISO 27001, ACSC guidelines, and other security frameworks by providing evidence of detection, response, and continuous monitoring.
Can CrowdStrike integrate with managed IT services?
Yes. CrowdStrike Falcon integrates seamlessly with managed IT and cyber security services, especially where EDR, MDR, or SOC functions are provided. It supports remote deployment via RMM tools, and the platform’s API allows for custom integrations with helpdesks, ticketing systems, or compliance platforms.
This makes it a practical fit for businesses using external IT partners who need advanced, always-on security without internal overhead.