Final answer:
A Host-based Intrusion Detection System (HIDS) would be the best solution for the company to meet the given requirements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The company should deploy a Host-based Intrusion Detection System (HIDS) to meet the given requirements. A HIDS monitors and analyzes host system activities to detect any suspicious behavior or unauthorized access.
It can detect administrative actions, block unwanted MD5 hashes, provide alerts, and prevent the exfiltration of cardholder data.
The solution that would best meet the requirements of detecting administrative actions, blocking unwanted MD5 hashes, providing alerts, and stopping the exfiltration of cardholder data is Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR). EDR platforms are designed to provide continuous monitoring and response to advanced threats.
They analyze behaviors and events happening on endpoint devices to detect and respond to threats more effectively than traditional antivirus (AV) solutions, which may not pick up on subtle, administrative-type behaviors that mimic legitimate processes.
On the other hand, Host Intrusion Detection Systems (HIDS) and Host Intrusion Prevention Systems (HIPS) can detect and prevent intrusions respectively, but EDR goes a step further by including a response component.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) programs are focused on preventing data exfiltration but are not as comprehensive in threat detection and response. Finally, Encryption File System (EFS) is not directly related to intrusion detection or prevention; it is a file-level encryption system.