How to Use Cylance

Cylance is a next-generation cybersecurity platform that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to proactively prevent cyber threats before they can cause damage. Unlike traditional antivirus software, which relies on signature-based detection, Cylance operates by predicting, detecting, and blocking threats using algorithmic models.

It’s designed for businesses and individuals who want lightweight, automated protection against modern malware, ransomware, fileless attacks, and other advanced threats.

What Is Cylance?

Cylance was originally introduced as a standalone company and is now a part of BlackBerry Cybersecurity. The core of Cylance’s protection is the CylancePROTECT and CylanceOPTICS suite:

CylancePROTECT provides AI-powered endpoint protection
CylanceOPTICS offers endpoint detection and response (EDR) capabilities

Cylance uses predictive models trained on massive datasets to detect malicious behavior, even if a file or threat has never been seen before.

For more AI-driven cybersecurity tools like Cylance, visit I Need AI, a curated directory of automation and protection solutions.

Getting Started with Cylance

To begin, go to the official site: www.blackberry.com/cylance and select the Cylance product that fits your environment (individual, SMB, enterprise). After signup or purchase, you will receive access to the Cylance Console.

Setup typically includes:

Creating your organization account and logging in to the dashboard
Downloading and installing the CylancePROTECT agent on your endpoints
Applying default or custom policy configurations
Letting the AI model run in learning mode before going into enforcement

It works across Windows, macOS, and Linux environments.

Using CylancePROTECT for Endpoint Security

Once installed, CylancePROTECT runs silently in the background. Its key capabilities include:

Predictive Threat Blocking: Detects and blocks threats before execution using AI
Script Control: Prevents unauthorized or harmful script execution
Device Policy Control: Restricts usage of USB devices and external storage
Memory Protection: Guards against fileless and in-memory attacks

Unlike traditional antivirus, no signature updates are required. The model runs offline and continuously learns without needing a full internet connection.

You can manage multiple devices, monitor security status, and update policies directly from the central cloud dashboard.

Investigating with CylanceOPTICS

CylanceOPTICS is an add-on that adds powerful EDR functionality:

Behavioral Monitoring: Tracks process flows and user activity
Root Cause Analysis: Reconstructs attacks to show how they started
Automated Playbooks: Set rules that trigger automated actions when suspicious behavior is detected

Security teams can use CylanceOPTICS to perform deep forensic investigations and isolate compromised endpoints without network disruption.

Performance and System Impact

Cylance is designed to use minimal CPU and memory resources, making it suitable for users who need strong protection without sacrificing performance. It’s a great fit for laptops, desktops, and servers across enterprise networks or remote teams.

No daily definition updates mean fewer background processes and faster boot times.

Integration and Scalability

Cylance integrates well with SIEM platforms, remote management tools, and cloud infrastructure. It supports deployment through:

Group Policy (GPO)
Remote scripts
Endpoint management systems like Intune or SCCM

Its architecture makes it easy to deploy to thousands of devices, especially in distributed environments.

More scalable AI security platforms can be found at I Need AI, where tools are organized by use case and organization size.

Who Should Use Cylance?

Cylance is ideal for:

Enterprises and mid-sized companies needing lightweight endpoint protection
Remote teams seeking proactive cybersecurity tools
Healthcare, finance, and legal sectors where compliance and confidentiality matter
IT admins and security analysts who want fewer alerts but more accuracy

The platform is best suited for businesses looking to modernize their endpoint defense strategy without relying on outdated signature-based antivirus methods.

Final Thoughts

Cylance represents a forward-thinking shift in cybersecurity. By using AI models to predict and prevent threats before they execute, it offers proactive protection that adapts to modern threats. Whether you need a standalone endpoint solution or a full enterprise-grade security stack, Cylance helps reduce risk while keeping operations smooth and uninterrupted.