As cyber-attacks continue to become more frequent and more devastating for businesses, a profound need has arisen for a cyber security strategy that provides complete protection. Modern businesses need a strategy that detects and responds to threats across their entire network infrastructure. Not only this, their strategy has to provide 24x7x365 protection to ensure there are no weaknesses in their systems.
Over the past several years, this need has forced the development of different services:
- Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
- Managed Detection and Response (MDR)
- Extended Detection and Response (XDR)
In this blog, we are going to discuss the differences between these services and dispel some of the misconceptions surrounding them. We will also cut through the confusion that many businesses have and define why each solution is used and when you need them.
What is endpoint detection and response (EDR)?
EDR is designed to capture and collate all activity on your organisation’s endpoints. It then utilises analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to provide real-time visibility into your endpoints’ cyber security health. It also detects any suspicious behaviour, generates alerts for your SOC team, and provides guidance on responding to threats.
What is managed detection and response (MDR)?
MDR utilises the services of a managed security services provider (MSSP), such as Wizard Cyber, to detect and respond to threats across select aspects of your network infrastructure. At Wizard Cyber, we provide 24x7x365 monitoring, alert management, threat detection and response, threat investigation and hunting, as well as all the SOC staffing and infrastructure required to properly protect your organisation.
What is extended detection and response (XDR)?
XDR provides a completely unified cyber security system, often managed by an MSSP. By streamlining security data ingestion, as well as the threat analysis and investigation processes, across your organisation’s entire cyber security system, we are able to drastically improve your ability to detect and respond to threats.
By collecting and collating data from every area of your network infrastructure, threat visibility is heightened. XDR also improves threat response times and reduces the operational risk that cyber threats pose. It also has the benefit of streamlining security operations into one central console, such as CYBERSHIELD IDR.
What are the key differences between EDR, MDR, and XDR?
There are several key differences between EDR, MDR, and XDR:
- MDR and XDR are, by definition, managed services, whereas EDR isn’t.
- EDR and MDR focus on monitoring specific areas of a network, whereas XDR covers your entire network infrastructure.
- MDR takes the capabilities and functionality of EDR, improves on them, and adds management from an MSSP.
- XDR takes the capabilities and functionality of EDR and MDR, improves on them, and expands them to cover your entire network infrastructure.
- EDR is a single component of XDR.
- EDR, MDR, and XDR each rely on different tools and technologies. Whilst some overlap, MDR uses more than EDR, and XDR uses many more than MDR.
- EDR requires your organisation to manage the alerts generated by the system. MDR and XDR allow your MSSP to handle all of this for you.
- MDR and XDR will often include 24×7 protection. Wizard Cyber specialise in providing 24x7x365 protection, wherever you are located in the world, which is a service that isn’t offered by many MSSPs.
Should my organisation use EDR, MDR, or XDR?
Every organisation has different needs when it comes to cyber security. Depending on the nature of your business, you will need different security tools to provide the level of protection that your risk profile demands.
You should choose EDR if your organisation:
- Needs to improve its endpoint security but doesn’t require more advanced security capabilities yet or lacks the capital to invest more
- Has an in-house security team that can confidently resolve any threat alerts and remediation recommendations produced by the EDR solution
- Is just beginning its cyber security journey and wants to begin building its systems out with a strong EDR solution
You should choose MDR if your organisation:
- Wants to fill skill gaps in its in-house security team without needing to embark on an expensive and time-consuming hiring process
- Lacks effective detection and response capabilities
- Is struggling to attract the required talent to its security team
- Wants to improve its ability to combat emerging and dangerous cyber-threats
You should choose XDR if your organisation:
- Wants to utilise advanced threat detection
- Needs to improve threat response team and cyber security ROI
- Is struggling to keep up with alerts generated by its security architecture
- Is lacking the manpower required to properly manage its cyber security systems
- Wants to consolidate cyber security functionality, data, and information into a single console
- Needs to improve its cyber security for unprotected or vulnerable areas of its network infrastructure
Is your organisation looking to implement EDR, MDR or XDR? Are you considering upgrading your existing tools in this area? Are you concerned that your organisation’s network infrastructure is lacking sufficient cyber security protection? Get in touch with Wizard Cyber today. Our cyber security experts will be happy to talk you through our EDR, MDR, and XDR services, as well as answer any questions you might have.
