Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition is a centrally managed antivirus/antispyware, firewall, and intrusion prevention software for SB environments that include multiple Windows-based computers.

As same as the other products in Endpoint Protection family, the Small Business Edition features Symantec Protection Center that allows users to control and monitor security on networked laptops, desktops, or severs through a single interface. From the console, it is possible to start scans, update malware databases, create security policies, and enable or disable firewalls on computers across company’s network. The Protection Center also gathers reports on malware activity and risks and presents collected data in graphs and tables.

On of the Center’s functionalities is Client Installation Wizard that enables remote deployment on client systems, even without interaction with users on client side. It can be done using Remote Push Installation option (it may require some firewall settings and other changes in OS).

Along with antivirus, spyware and firewall protection, Symantec highlights TruScan Proactive which delivers proactive protection against unseen threats using Scan that does not rely on a signature.

Regarding performance, Symantec says Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition provides “the fastest boot time in the industry and the lowest overhead when it comes to everyday interaction with files and applications”.

The software can protect machines running on various Windows operating systems including: Windows 2000 Server, Windows XP (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Server 2003 (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Server 2008 (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Small Business Server 2008 (64-bit), or Windows Essential Business Server 2008 (64-bit). Symantec Protection Center interface is not supported on Vista and XP Embedded. However, we were able to install and run Protection Center on Vista Ultimate 64-bit.

Endpoint Protection product family also includes Protection Suite Small Business Edition. Compared to Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition, Suite ads select messaging security features, backup and recovery software, and support for Mac computers.

Here are Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition screenshots and a comparison table of Endpoint Protection products, taken from the datasheet (click on the images to enlarge):

Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition 12.0 License with 12 months of Essential support costs around $47 for customers purchasing between 5 (minimum) and 24 licenses. With Basic support instead of Essential, the price is $45. Volume savings are available.