Endpoint Security: EDR/MDR/XDR solutions
Differences, capabilities and examples
Endpoint Security as a practice of securing entry points of end-user devices (laptops, desktops, IoT devices, servers, etc.) from malicious actors and malicious campaigns consists of multiple security approaches that complement each other. From patch and vulnerability management and AVs to more complex and innovative EDR solutions.
In recent years, organizations have switched from traditional Anti-Viruses to more complex and versatile solutions called EDR or Endpoint Detection and Response. In response to the growing threat landscape, EDR has rapidly evolved from detecting signature-based threats from a database of known malicious patterns to having detective and preventative capabilities with deep visibility into every action happening at the endpoint. For a long time, additional security mechanisms were integrated within AV capabilities, making it more reactive but without fast security teams to take action when needed. Such solutions are known as EPP or Endpoint Protection Platform. Many EPP vendors recognize the need for in-time actions (respond, contain, remediate and investigate) in post-incident situations, hence many include EDR/MDR/XDR capabilities in order to get more active approach:
- Detect security incidents
- Contain incidents at the endpoint
- Investigate security incidents
- Provide remediation guidance
How is EDR evolving?
The evolution of EDR goes towards more advanced solutions, MDR (Managed Detection and Response) and XDR (Extended Detection and Response) with EDR capabilities as the baseline.
While on the first hand it’s difficult to differentiate these two approaches, MDR is mostly viewed as a service designed to help organizations take necessary actions in case of the security attack and to stay vigilant about any potential incidents. XDR is a security product that helps security teams carry out all the necessary actions in regards to responding, detecting threats and investigating incidents. General capabilities for both solutions are as follows:
MDR provides:
- 24/ managed services (security team)
- proactive threat hunting,
- managed remediation,
- threats and alerts prioritization,
- continuous security improvement.
XDR offers:
- multiple data sources (endpoints, network, cloud, applications),
- unified visibility,
- integration with other security technologies.
From above, MDR and XDR can be seen as two solutions working together to provide the best security service with the most advanced security products. The former offering external resources to perform all actions needed to preserve the confidentiality, integrity and availability of organization’s data with the help of integrated XDR characteristics.
Let’s have a look at the EDR market…
Per Gartner, the EDR market is growing and there is no slowing down when it comes to organizations seeking more robust and complete security solutions. Many are adapting to new threats, zero-day vulnerabilities and incidents by expanding their security coverage area with new security tools, technologies and services. The what and how are not defined within these solutions and the lack of regulations gives them the liberty of classifying and increasing diversity of products and services as the market demands. For that reason, you will find most vendors offering different features under the same category or module (EDR, MDR, XDR, etc.) which lets organizations search and compare what is out there to find and integrate the best EDR/MDR/XDR solution that suits their own security needs.
In conclusion…
The line between mentioned solutions is blurry and vendors are constantly in the need of improving their security offerings making the complete picture more-rounded and ready for any kind of attack, threat and potential breach.
In CSO, Josh Fruhlinger wrote:
But one thing to keep in mind is that the whole EDR market is in some ways an attempt to put an umbrella label on a somewhat heterogenous category, and is thus always evolving.
Hey thanks for sticking until the end. Let me know your thoughts, ideas, critics and advices. Find me on LinkedIn.
By the way, if you have any knowledge or experience with any of the EDR/MDR/XDR solutions, what is your favourite (or the best out there)?
Find out about mine in the next articles ;)
