What is EDR? 

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) is a cybersecurity solution that proactively identifies and responds to threats to devices on a network, including desktop PCs, laptop PCs, mobile devices and, in some cases, server endpoints. EDR is used to protect devices against known and unknown malicious attacks. 

EDR provides security teams with comprehensive visibility into events on their network’s endpoints at all times by recording, storing, and analyzing that information, then presenting options for remediation. 

What are Endpoints and Why Are They at Risk? 

Endpoints are devices that directly connect to the network and often serve as direct entry points for attackers. They can be physical (laptops, desktop workstations, servers) or virtual (cloud services, web applications, virtual machines).  

Endpoints are difficult to defend without full visibility because any one of them could be directly accessed by attackers, who can send them messages and receive data back in return. This communication mechanism is often compromised (by malwareWhat is Malware? Malware, a portmanteau of “malicious software,” constitutes a broad category of software specifically designed to infiltrate, damage, or disrupt computer systems, networks, and devices without the user’s… More, credential theftWhat is Credential Theft? Credential theft is a type of cyberattack in which attackers steal a victim’s login details, such as usernames, passwords, or other forms of authentication. This stolen… More, or phishingWhat is Phishing? Phishing is a type of cyberattack in which attackers send fraudulent communications, or direct people to counterfeit websites in order to trick those individuals into revealing sensitive… More attempts) and grants threat actors access to an organization’s systems, resulting in a ransomwareWhat is Ransomware? Ransomware is a type of cyberattack in which the attacker infects a computer with malicious software that encrypts the victim’s data. The computer usually becomes locked, presenting… More attack, data breachWhat is a Data Breach? A data breach is a security incident in which unauthorized individuals access sensitive, confidential, or protected information. These breaches can occur through various means, including cyberattacks,… More, or in the case of critical infrastructureWhat is Critical Infrastructure? Critical infrastructure refers to the fundamental systems, assets, and facilities that are essential for the functioning of a society and its economy. These are the foundational… More, a crippling cyberattackWhat is a Cyberattack? A cyberattack is a deliberate and malicious attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, or software applications to cause damage, steal information, disrupt services, or… More leading to dangerous downtime. 

5 Components of EDR Security 

Endpoint detection and response tools serve as a hub for all endpoint-related data, and a control center for delivering alerts and responses to SOCs. It does this in the following ways: 

1. Continuous monitoring: Software agents gather and log relevant activity on each device on which they are installed (known as managed devices), providing security teams with constant visibility into important endpoint activity.  
2. Advanced detection: EDR solutions leverage advanced threat detection capabilities like machine learningWhat is Machine Learning? Machine learning is a subset of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that involves the development of algorithms and models that enable computers to make predictions or decisions based… More, behavioral analysis, and heuristics to go beyond signature-based threats alone and catch sophisticated cyberattacks at the endpoint.  
3. Centralized telemetry data: An EDR solution aggregates data from each managed endpoint device across the network, pulling them into one place for centralized visibility over all endpoint logs, authenticationWhat is Authentication? Authentication is the process by which the identity of a user or system is verified. It ensures that the entity attempting to access a resource is who… More attempts, and usage stats in real-time. At this point, the data is analyzed and correlated to spot malicious patterns and identify Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) that might be missed without a complete, network-wide view. Artificial intelligence and machine learning will be applied at this stage to complete analysis and correlate findings with external threat intelligenceWhat is Threat Intelligence?Also known as cyber threat intelligence or simply threat intel, threat intelligence is the body of evidence-based knowledge that can be used to inform organizations of threat… More. 
4. Automated threat response: EDR tools can automatically eliminate certain threats, quarantining files, and removing malicious software. Additionally, it can aid teams with threat response by providing actionable data based on the lifespan of the file; where it originated, which applications it interacted with, and whether it replicated. These data points can assist teams or automated remediation efforts that will need to return systems to their previous, untampered state.  
5. Data stored for future use: Endpoint detection and response engines are learning tools, gaining knowledge from previous events and their corresponding actions, and storing it to make future detection and remediation efforts more accurate and customized to an organization’s endpoints and the threats they face.  

EDR’s Place in Today’s Cybersecurity Landscape 

Endpoint detection and response platforms present a favorable alternative to traditional signature-based methods of cybersecurity, which are becoming less popular. Today’s attackers are leveraging subtle, “low-and-slow” attacks that evade traditional defenses by obfuscating their code and using other evasive techniques. To keep up with these exploits, security teams are relying on the automated advanced capabilities that tools like EDR provide.  

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