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What is Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)?

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) uses real-time analytics and AI-driven automation to protect organizations against cyber threats that get past antivirus software and other traditional endpoint security technologies.

What is Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)?

Endpoint detection and response (EDR) can detect threats that exist in your networking environment and then respond to them. It can analyze the nature of the threat and give your IT team information regarding how it was initiated, which parts of your network it has attacked, what it is currently doing, and how to stop the attack altogether.

An EDR solution further protects your network by containing the threat and keeping it from spreading. EDR can protect your organization from threats, whether you use a fully in-house system or incorporate a cloud platform.

With a full understanding of EDR and how it can bolster your security measures, you can choose the best EDR for your network. Incorporating EDR can improve the security of both the devices connected to your network and your overall IT system.

endpoint detection and response

How does EDR work?

After your Endpoint Detection and Response system has been installed, it makes use of algorithms that analyze the actions of the different users on your system. This enables it to store information regarding the activity taking place on each endpoint. In this way, an EDR acts almost like a friend, sensing when something is not quite right about someone’s behavior. When activity on an endpoint goes against an established pattern of behavior, the EDR can detect the anomaly and take action.

To accomplish this, an EDR collects data and then filters and analyzes it, looking for evidence of malicious files. If something is detected, an alarm is triggered, and this initiates an investigation. During the investigation, the algorithms identify the source of the attack, pinpointing how it got through the system’s perimeter.

To make it easier for analysts to examine, the data is parsed and consolidated into smaller categories. Once determined that a threat has indeed affected an endpoint, the user is notified of the next steps. If the system identifies a false positive, the alert is canceled, and what was learned is recorded to help more accurately address future threats.

Why is Endpoint Detection and Response important?

The threat landscape is constantly changing, with new viruses, malware, and other cyber threats appearing on the horizon daily. To meet this evolving threat, real-time collection and detection of possible anomalies become increasingly important.

These challenges are amplified by the increasingly mobile workforce. When employees are connecting remotely – which has been accelerated by the Covid pandemic, endpoints being used for access to an organization’s digital assets are often employee-owned. These BYOD devices may be shared by, and on networks shared by, the employee’s family and thus may be infected with malware without the knowledge of the employee.

By employing EDR, an organization can help ameliorate these challenges by:

  • Identifying and blocking executables that could perform malicious acts
  • Preventing USB devices from being used for unauthorized data access or downloading confidential or protected information
  • Blocking file-less malware attack techniques that could infect endpoint devices
    Controlling the execution of scripts
  • Preventing malicious email payloads from detonating their attachments
  • Protecting from zero-day attacks, and preventing them from doing damage

EDR can also work with third-party threat intelligence services to improve the effectiveness of their endpoint security solutions since their collective intelligence can increase the EDR’s ability to identify zero-day attacks and other multi-layered exploits. Many Endpoint Detection and Response solutions are now incorporating machine learning and artificial intelligence (ML/AI) to further automate the process by ‘learning’ the baseline behavior of the organization and using that information to interpret findings when attacks are detected.

endpoint detection and response

Key Benefits of Endpoint Detection and Response

Detection of Endpoint Threats

EDR is designed to identify tactics, techniques, and procedures used by attackers to invade your security perimeter. It gathers information on how attackers penetrate a network and their path of activity. The right EDR tools protect you against suspicious user activities and behavior, advanced malware, file-less attacks, and misuse of legitimate applications.

More Cost and Time Efficient

These tools manage threats as soon as they enter an organization’s periphery, preventing disruptions, impacting productivity, and financial losses. They automate detection, path analysis, and lateral movement steps, eliminating human intervention. These initial automated phases allow security analysts to invest more time examining legitimate threats due to the presence of fewer alerts and false positives.

Integration with Other Security Tools

Some highly advanced Endpoint Detection and Response systems can integrate with multiple security tools to deliver an extensive data security strategy. These integrations generate automated threat responses to instantly remove the detected malware via a third-party anti-malware program, avoiding delay in the user’s immediate actions.

Combines with Threat Intelligence

Many EDR vendors incorporate threat intelligence subscriptions in their endpoint security solutions to expand their ability to identify the latest exploits, such as zero-day and multi-layered attacks. Cyber threat intelligence leverages AI and threat databases with data on past and currently evolving attacks, analyzes them, and utilizes the information to detect threats targeting your endpoints.

Conclusion

An appropriate security system can protect your enterprises against advanced cyber threats. Buyers can choose from plenty of EDR security solutions available in the market, delivering various tools and features. However, to maintain a proper security posture, you must understand your needs and requirements before investing in a system.

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