* [Blog](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog) * [Security Operations](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/security-operations/) * [AI and Cybersecurity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/security-operations/category/ai-and-cybersecurity/) * Cortex XDR is the only Ce... # Cortex XDR is the only Certified Leader in AV-Comparatives EPR 7 years in a row [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paloaltonetworks.com.au%2Fblog%2Fsecurity-operations%2Fcortex-xdr-is-the-only-endpoint-security-market-leader-to-be-certified-by-av-comparatives-7-years-in-a-row%2F) [](https://twitter.com/share?text=Cortex+XDR+is+the+only+Certified+Leader+in+AV-Comparatives+EPR+7+years+in+a+row&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paloaltonetworks.com.au%2Fblog%2Fsecurity-operations%2Fcortex-xdr-is-the-only-endpoint-security-market-leader-to-be-certified-by-av-comparatives-7-years-in-a-row%2F) [](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paloaltonetworks.com.au%2Fblog%2Fsecurity-operations%2Fcortex-xdr-is-the-only-endpoint-security-market-leader-to-be-certified-by-av-comparatives-7-years-in-a-row%2F&title=Cortex+XDR+is+the+only+Certified+Leader+in+AV-Comparatives+EPR+7+years+in+a+row&summary=&source=) [](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com//www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/security-operations/cortex-xdr-is-the-only-endpoint-security-market-leader-to-be-certified-by-av-comparatives-7-years-in-a-row/&ts=markdown) \[\](mailto:?subject=Cortex XDR is the only Certified Leader in AV-Comparatives EPR 7 years in a row) Link copied By [Emran Mazumder](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/author/emran-mazumder/?ts=markdown "Posts by Emran Mazumder") Sep 16, 2026 2 minutes [AI and Cybersecurity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/ai-and-cybersecurity/?ts=markdown) [AI Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/ai-security/?ts=markdown) [Announcement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/announcement/?ts=markdown) [Cybersecurity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/cybersecurity/?ts=markdown) [Must-Read Articles](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/must-read-articles/?ts=markdown) [News and Events](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/news-and-events/?ts=markdown) [Products and Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/products-and-services/?ts=markdown) [AV-Comparatives](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/av-comparatives/?ts=markdown) [Cortex XDR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/cortex-xdr/?ts=markdown) [Cortex XDR Prevent](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/cortex-xdr-prevent/?ts=markdown) [Extended Detection and Response (XDR)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/extended-detection-and-response-xdr/?ts=markdown) [Palo Alto Networks](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/palo-alto-networks/?ts=markdown) [Security Operations (SecOps)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/security-operations-secops/?ts=markdown) Modern enterprise security teams are locked in an escalating crisis where attackers leverage automation and AI to compress attack lifecycles to an unprecedented scale. According to the [Unit 42 2026 Global Incident Response Report](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/resources/research/unit-42-incident-response-report), the fastest adversaries now reach data exfiltration in just **72 minutes** , moving four times faster than the previous year. Security teams no longer have the luxury of hours to manually investigate, triage, and contain incoming threats. ## 7 Years of Unrivaled Leadership ![](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/AVC-EPR-2026-Logo.png)To evaluate how enterprise controls hold up against high-speed tradecraft, independent testing body AV-Comparatives put Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR, entering the test with its base XDR Prevent license through its 2026 Endpoint Prevention and Response (EPR) evaluation. We're excited to share that [Cortex XDR has earned the AV-Comparatives Certified Leader](https://www.av-comparatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/EPR_PaloAlto_2026.pdf) status for the 7th consecutive year, reinforcing our position as an industry leader in endpoint security. Sustaining a leadership position in independent testing year after year proves that enterprise-level defense isn't a one-off win: it's continuous operational excellence. Every test cycle shakes up the landscape, but **holding the line year in and year out is what separates baseline tools from battle-tested security.** ## 2026 EPR Performance Highlights * **100% Attack-Chain Containment:** Out of 50 advanced scenarios, zero threats reached Phase 3 (asset breach/data exfiltration). * **Phase 1 Initial Defense:** Blocked 94% of threats (47/50) immediately upon initial execution. * **Phase 2 Propagation Interception:** Stopped 100% (50/50) of the remaining threats during internal spread, completely eliminating lateral movement. * **Zero Operational Friction:** Achieved low operational accuracy costs and zero workflow delay penalties during sandbox analysis. ![](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/AVC-Phase-Diagram-500x318.png) Image 1: EPR Efficacy for Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR ## Uncompromising Security, Proven Operational Value The AV-Comparatives 2026 EPR Product Validation Report offers clear, independent proof: Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR seamlessly blends elite breach prevention with high-efficiency cost control. Seven consecutive years of AV-Comparatives certification demonstrate that Cortex XDR's defenses are not just effective in a single snapshot, but consistently resilient against an accelerating threat landscape. For SecOps teams, this means less alert fatigue, zero operational delays, and complete confidence that threats are stopped before reaching critical assets. Selecting Cortex XDR is more than a security upgrade; it is a long-term investment in streamlined, automated operational excellence. Visit our [Third-Party Industry Validation](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xdr-industry-validation) page to see how Cortex XDR consistently delivers top-tier protection across independent testing labs. ## Reference: 1 [EPR Product Validation Report 2026-Palo Alto Networks](https://www.av-comparatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/EPR_PaloAlto_2026.pdf) 2 [EPR Comparative Report 2026](https://www.av-comparatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/EPR_Comparative_2026.pdf) *** ** * ** *** ## Related Blogs ### [AI and Cybersecurity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/ai-and-cybersecurity/?ts=markdown), [AI Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/ai-security/?ts=markdown), [Announcement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/announcement/?ts=markdown), [Cybersecurity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/cybersecurity/?ts=markdown), [Must-Read 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[Cybersecurity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/cybersecurity/?ts=markdown), [Must-Read Articles](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/must-read-articles/?ts=markdown), [Product Features](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/product-features/?ts=markdown), [Products and Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/products-and-services/?ts=markdown), [Use-Cases](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/use-cases/?ts=markdown) [#### Cortex XDR Scores Perfect 100% in SE Labs 2026 Ransomware Test](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/security-operations/cortex-xdr-scores-perfect-100-in-se-labs-2026-ransomware-test/) ### [AI Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/ai-security/?ts=markdown), [Announcement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/announcement/?ts=markdown), [Must-Read Articles](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/must-read-articles/?ts=markdown), [News and Events](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/news-and-events/?ts=markdown), [Product Features](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/product-features/?ts=markdown), [Products and Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/products-and-services/?ts=markdown) [#### Securing the Agentic Endpoint](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/2026/02/securing-the-agentic-endpoint/) ### [AI and Cybersecurity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/ai-and-cybersecurity/?ts=markdown), [Must-Read Articles](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/must-read-articles/?ts=markdown), [News and Events](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/news-and-events/?ts=markdown) [#### Cortex XDR is the Only Endpoint Security Market Leader Certified in AVC's EDR Detection Test](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/security-operations/cortex-xdr-is-the-only-endpoint-security-market-leader-certified-in-avcs-edr-detection-test/) ### [AI and Cybersecurity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/ai-and-cybersecurity/?ts=markdown), [Must-Read Articles](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/must-read-articles/?ts=markdown), [News and Events](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/news-and-events/?ts=markdown) [#### Cortex XDR is the Only Endpoint Security Market Leader to Achieve 99% in Both Threat Prevention and Response in AVC EPR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/blog/security-operations/cortex-xdr-is-the-only-endpoint-security-market-leader-to-achieve-99-in-both-threat-prevention-and-response-in-avc-epr/) ### [Announcement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/announcement/?ts=markdown), [Must-Read 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