In our digitized society, cyberattacks are becoming increasingly more intelligent. The total number of data breaches in 2019 was up 33% compared to 2018, with approximately 8 billion personal records compromised. As a result, cybersecurity enhancements are striking against that intelligence. It’s nothing new for corporations to see higher demands for detection and prevention of cyber threats, however, custom solutions are becoming more critical, as hackers are constantly finding new ways, platforms, and gaps to attack, affecting businesses of all sizes. Failure to adapt to custom cybersecurity operations could result in your network being compromised, leading to adverse consequences like loss of customer trust, business disruption, and financial loss.

This is where MDR and EDR come into play. They stand for Managed Detection and Response and Endpoint Detection and Response, respectively. Determining which one is best for your company depends on your industry, business needs, and personal preferences. Below we define what MDR and EDR solutions are, their key benefits, their main differences, and which one is best for what industry.

 

1) MANAGED DETECTION AND RESPONSE

Managed Detection and Response (MDR), is an advanced threat detection and mitigation cybersecurity service used by businesses of all sizes and in varied industrial sectors. Businesses that use MDR outsource their entire cybersecurity apparatus to specialists who are familiar with the intricacies involved in securing corporate networks. This cybersecurity strategy is especially useful for businesses that are not knowledgeable in network security and may also not have the time, tools, or skilled specialists necessary to fully secure their network.

With MDR, the security specialist does a thorough assessment of the business’ security apparatus, looking for vulnerabilities and loopholes that can be exploited by cybercriminals. Once this is done, a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy is then developed, implemented, and maintained by the MDR vendor.

FEATURES OF MDR

• Intrusion detection and prevention: The ability to recognize attempts to breach a business network and take relevant countermeasures is one of the major hallmarks of MDR. Cybersecurity specialists use a variety of tools to continuously monitor the network for breach attempts. With MDR, network intrusions are detected sooner rather than later, which allows for timelier responses.
• Threat analytics: MDR does not only involve the mitigation of threats to a network but also the analysis of the nature of the threats. During network threat analysis, cybersecurity specialists look for the signature, composition, source, and other features of the network threat. Thorough analyses of the threat help the specialists develop suitable countermeasures as well as recognize the threat quicker should there be a recurrence.
• Round-the-clock live support: With MDR, businesses are assured that their endpoints are monitored and managed 24×7. Since a business network can be attacked at any time of the day or night, the vendor of this model ensures that there is always a team of cybersecurity specialists on hand ready to respond to any threat.
• Proactive threat hunting: Some network threats are so sophisticated that they may evade traditional network security systems and cause severe damage to business operations before they are detected. Under MDR, cybersecurity specialists actively scour the entire network regularly using specialized tools to find these kinds of threats and neutralize them before they cause severe damage to the network.
• Security upgrades and maintenance: Security systems require regular upgrades and maintenance to ensure that they function at peak capacity. When businesses choose MDR, the vendor ensures that the security systems remain up to date and can protect against constantly evolving network threats.

WHO BENEFITS MOST FROM MDR?

Because MDR is a 24×7 service that detects malicious activity in company networks to quickly mitigate cyber threats, industries with highly sensitive information and a lack of security know-how can benefit best from MDR. This includes financial institutions, education organizations, and the healthcare industry. Basically, any industry that needs constant assistance will benefit from MDR.

 

2) ENDPOINT DETECTION AND RESPONSE

Network endpoints are areas within a network where authorized users can access a private network; the devices used to access these endpoints by the users are known as endpoint devices. Network endpoints are popular targets for cybercriminals as poorly secured endpoint devices provide an opening that can be exploited to compromise a network.

Endpoint detection and response (EDR) is a cybersecurity strategy that focuses on endpoint management. Like MDR, EDR is typically managed by third-party cybersecurity specialists who are well-versed in securing endpoint devices used to connect to a network. The cybersecurity specialists analyze the number as well as the type of network endpoints and then develop a security strategy to ensure that they are kept secure.

FEATURES OF EDR

• Endpoint device data monitoring: Under EDR, the user endpoint devices are constantly monitored for suspicious files or data that may indicate the presence of a network threat; any detected threats are promptly mitigated before they spread into the network and cause lots of damage. Endpoint device security systems such as anti-viruses and anti-malware are also monitored to ensure that they remain up-to-date.
• Traffic analysis: Cybersecurity specialists monitor the network traffic in and out of the network from the network endpoints looking for abnormal variations in traffic flow that could indicate the presence of a cyberattack. These specialists also look for specific digital signatures of common network threats so that an appropriate security response can be mounted should the need arise.
• Digital forensics: Digital forensics is an essential aspect of EDR. In the event of a data breach, a thorough forensic analysis of all network endpoints is needed to ascertain the type, cause, as well as the impact of the breach. In addition to mitigating the network threat, digital forensics helps cybersecurity specialists learn more about the threat so that they can be more easily recognized and neutralized in the future.
• Endpoint event storage: With EDR, log files are captured at network endpoints as well as endpoint user devices and stored in central locations. These log files are instrumental during digital forensics as they provide information about the events surrounding a data breach. The log files can also be used to monitor other significant events that occur at network endpoints.

WHO BENEFITS MOST FROM EDR?

Any industry can benefit from EDR because all organizations have endpoints with infection potential, like laptops and mobile devices. However, EDR can be particularly helpful for organizations that operate many of the same devices (endpoints), like employee laptops for instance. These are organizations that work best with automated alerts and have in-house cybersecurity expertise to conduct further threat examinations.

 

BOTTOM LINE

MDR and EDR both monitor malicious activity. MDR is a 24×7 monitored cybersecurity service with staff on hand to detect, manage and remediate threats. It’s ideal for organizations that don’t have in-house cybersecurity assistance. EDR also detects and remediates threats but involves installing sensors on endpoints (devices) and uses analytic tools to automate the detection and response for further investigation.

At Cyber Sainik, we know how critical it is to have a robust cybersecurity solution to ensure that your network remains protected. Whether you prefer MDR or EDR, we have experts that are ready and willing to get you set up. If you are unsure of which solution to implement, we will gladly work with you in determining your security needs and then recommending the optimal solution for your business needs. Contact us today for more information.