Why ESET fits NZ schools
ESET runs lightly. On a 6-year-old laptop the agent does not noticeably impact performance, important when school refresh cycles run 5-7 years. Chillisoft provides NZ-based support and licensing. Reputation matters in conservative procurement environments, ESET has 30+ consecutive VB100 awards and a multi-decade reputation.
Augur ML and AI Advisor, ESET's AI capability stack
Augur is ESET's deep learning engine, in production since 2017. It uses LSTM neural networks for threat classification and runs continuously against the LiveGrid cloud telemetry feed. AI Advisor (2024) is the generative-AI analyst assistant, it summarises incidents, suggests next steps, and integrates with the ESET PROTECT console.
The combination is honest about what each tool does: established ML for detection, generative AI for analyst augmentation.
Deployment, licensing, and renewal
Licensing flows through Chillisoft on annual or multi-year terms. KB sits between the school and Chillisoft, handling deal registration so the school does not negotiate directly. Deployment is via ESET PROTECT cloud console; agents push to devices over the network.
Renewal is automatic with reminders 90 days out; KB confirms the seat count and any changes ahead of renewal.
Pricing for NZ schools
Per-device, with education-discount tiers. A 500-student school with 200 devices typically lands at NZD 4,000-7,000 per year for ESET licensing plus KB management. Multi-year terms unlock additional discount.
Frequently asked questions
Is ESET part of the M.E.E.P programme?
ESET education licensing is available via Chillisoft. Eligibility under specific MOE programmes varies by year, KB confirms current status during scoping.
How does ESET compare to Microsoft Defender?
Defender is bundled with M365 and provides baseline protection. ESET adds the Augur ML engine, behavioural detection, and the AI Advisor for analyst workflows. For schools with mixed Microsoft / Google environments, ESET also covers non-Windows devices uniformly.
How is renewal handled?
Automatic with 90-day reminders. KB confirms seat count and any policy changes ahead of renewal so there are no surprises.