Network security has been a longstanding need for organizations and businesses, even before the use of the Internet and networked computers. Recent events have taught most industry leaders about the growing need for modern and comprehensive network protection. As cyber criminality increases in size and scope, a variety of solutions have emerged, such as network detection and response (NDR). In this blog post, we’ll explore the concept and purpose of network security, paying special attention to NDR.
At its core, NDR technology works to constantly monitor and analyze large quantities of network traffic to form a baseline of normal network behavior. When a threat arises, network traffic patterns that stray from this baseline are detected. NDR tools then alert cybersecurity specialists of the potential threat within the environment. NDR technology allows cybersecurity teams to monitor and understand a network environment to afford comprehensive network protection.
Why network detection and response (NDR)?
A network allows for the transmission of data and information. It provides authorized users the ability to access information stored on other computers within a network. As a result of the pandemic, though, many businesses are shifting to remote and/or hybrid work environments. As organizational leaders take their networks to the cloud, both the size and intricacy of a given network are changing. Not only are new cyber threats emerging, but they also pose new challenges for cybersecurity defenders.
For example, ensuring that the correct users have access to the right systems at the right time is becoming increasingly difficult. Traditional network security takes the form of firewall protection, antivirus technology, and malware protection among others. Technologies such as this are crucial, but work off known or familiar signatures. Put more simply, these security solutions may overlook new or unfamiliar anomalous activity. Enter network detection and response.
Starting with Detection: Getting Familiar with a Network
NDR technology works to offer cybersecurity specialists a comprehensive view of the network in its entirety. Via first-rate NDR tools, cybersecurity defenders are provided a complete view of all organizational devices, entities, and network traffic for real-time monitoring and analysis. This includes both internal and external network traffic. More than that, though, NDR technology can provide contexts for network traffic and usage. This context-based visibility allows security teams to not only detect malicious activity but also calculate sources or origins in addition to where else the threat may exist.
NDR technology can determine, too, which users on a network are vulnerable. As shared by our technology partners at LogRhythm, NDR solutions work best when “incorporate[ed] with multiple machine analytics approaches, like scenario-based modeling for known tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) and deep inspection of traffic metadata against known indicators of compromise (IoC), to effectively detect threats”.
Put simply, NDR solutions are highly effective when they utilize machine learning to not only better understand potential and known threats but to conduct a thorough analysis of a network’s traffic, too. Analyzing the network traffic behavior in such a way allows for quick detection when a network deviates from its baseline. These tactics allow security teams to fill gaps that traditional tools can overlook. These gaps take a variety of forms but can appear as lost or stolen credentials used to access a system surreptitiously.
The Access Layer
The access layer, or the layer at which authorized users access a network, provides a vast attack surface for cybercriminals. This large attack surface poses the need for large-scale visibility of the access layer which NDR solutions can provide. While NDR technology has the immense task of collecting, processing, and analyzing large quantities of network data, it pays special attention to abnormal behavior within a network. It does so via big data analytics and machine learning.
NDR bolsters an organization’s overall cybersecurity by monitoring the flow of internal and external traffic providing the visibility required to identify and mitigate security incidents, irrespective of the threat’s origin. This monitoring requires the real-time, or nearly real-time, processing and analysis of large amounts to hasten and progress incident response times.
The Importance of Response: Hastening Cyber Defenders’ Response to Threats
As important as detection methods are, effective response to detected threats is vital, too. At its best, NDR allows for timely response to threats by automating security specialists’ processes. This automation streamlines the provision of service and enables security teams to prioritize other matters that do not allow for this. NDR allows for response tactics that go far beyond manual response and intervention. It does so by running algorithms against the compiled and vast data set in which a network’s baseline is formed. From there, standard and/or typical response processes to threats can be automated resulting in faster intervention.
Security defenders, like Cyber Sainik LLC, often use network detection and response (NDR) solutions alongside SIEM and endpoint detection and response (EDR) to provide organizations and businesses with 24/7 monitoring and management via a Security Operations Center (SOC). This comprehensive security solution works to diminish cybercriminals’ efforts by intervening long before they can get their hands on the sensitive information or data they were looking for.
Network detection and response is an extension of the endpoint detection and response (EDR) concept. Stay tuned for more information on this technology and how cybersecurity specialists make use of it. For more information about the details discussed within this blog post, feel free to explore our source list below!
How Cyber Sainik Can Help with NDR
If you’re questioning the security of your network, it’s time you trust your gut. You can improve your network’s security by partnering with Cyber Sainik. We are a client-focused, Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP). We render a range of services to help you improve your cybersecurity practices. These services include:
- Identity management
- Intrusion detection and prevention
- Vulnerability protection
- Device security
- Security information and event management (SIEM)
If you have additional questions on strategies to improve your environment and its cyberhealth, our security consultants are readily available to develop a solution that meets your organization’s needs. If you require Support or further assistance securing your critical systems, please contact Cyber Sainik at [email protected] or call us at (303)-576-5605. For more helpful handouts and information on cyber security topics, please navigate to Cyber Sainik’s Resources page.
Glossary:
- Network Security: As shared by our tech partners at Fortinet, “network security is made up of a variety of applications, configurations, and tools implemented to protect the integrity of your network from unauthorized use.”
- Network Detection and Response: As shared by our tech partners at LogRhythm, “network detection and response (NDR) is a progressive security solution for obtaining full visibility to both known and unknown threats that cross your network. NDR provides centralized, machine-based analysis of network traffic, and response solutions, including efficient workflows and automation.”
Sources:
- https://www.fortinet.com/resources/cyberglossary/what-is-network-security
- https://logrhythm.com/what-is-network-detection-and-response/
- https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/security/what-is-network-detection-response.html#~how-ndr-works
- https://cyber-security.degree/resources/history-of-cyber-security/
