As cybercriminals continue to evolve in a dynamic global environment, their attacks are increasingly sophisticated and pose an even greater threat to businesses and individuals. Now more than ever, endpoint targeting is more prevalent. Endpoints include not only desktops and servers, but also laptops, tablets, smartphones and smartwatches. Basically, if it’s technology – it’s a target, and the cost is real. For some IT departments, endpoint management can add up to thousands of dollars, which makes this avenue a prime target for infiltration. Complicating the issue is how endpoint targeting is “tricking” even the most advanced antivirus software. The tools you have in place today to mitigate your cyber risk are likely not enough.
What’s the solution? Enter: Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) solutions.
What Is Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), and Why Do I Need It?
Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) is a security solution leveraging real-time continuous monitoring and collection of an organization’s endpoint data to detect suspicious system behavior. It’s a multi-pronged approach that gives organizations an ability to detect and respond to advanced threats that traditional anti-virus and anti-malware solutions could miss. As we said, sophisticated endpoint targeting is beating the traditional systems we put in place to reduce cyber risk. EDR takes cyber security to the next level – and where enterprises need to be to reduce this growing liability.
Endpoint Security In Plain English
Endpoint security can seem like a complicated topic. To make it easy, let’s use an analogy of a toy box. Imagine your computer is like a child’s toy box, but it has a lot of important things inside like pictures, school work and important documents.
Just like you want to make sure the toy box is safe and nobody takes toys or messes them up, you want to make sure your computer is safe and nobody steals your information, compromises your data, leaks sensitive files or otherwise causes harm by hacking into your technology ecosystem.
Basically, IT endpoint security is like a superhero that helps protect your computer from bad guys (like viruses and hackers) that want to hurt it or take important things from it. It helps make sure that only you and the people you trust can access your computer and the information inside it. Back to the toy box, you can also think of endpoint security as the ultimate booby trap to keep belongings you secure in the box safe.
Beyond security, IT endpoint security also keeps your computer “clean” and healthy, a lot like how children are asked to keep their toy boxes tidy and to put games back in their place. Without IT endpoint security, you’re unlocking your toy box, handing over the keys and inviting anyone to take what they wish (We all know this is not how a child treats a toy box or how a business should manage its IT infrastructure).
What Is A Managed Endpoint?
A managed endpoint refers to an endpoint device (such as a computer, mobile phone or tablet) that is monitored, secured and managed by an external third-party service provider.
Managed endpoint services are typically offered by Managed Service Providers (MSPs) or Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) and involve the installation of specialized software on the endpoint devices that enable a service provider to remotely manage and monitor the device.
Managed endpoint services usually provide a range of features. Those include antivirus and antimalware protection, firewall management, software updates and patch management, backup and disaster recovery, and remote support and troubleshooting.
What Are EDR Solutions (aka Endpoint Solutions)?
EDR solutions monitor endpoints such as computers, servers and mobile devices for suspicious activity. With real-time alerts and detailed forensic data when a threat is detected, DMC security teams can quickly investigate and respond to security incidents, helping to prevent or minimize damage to the organization.
Additionally, EDR solutions often incorporate advanced technologies such as machine learning and behavioral analysis to detect and respond to emerging threats. For these reasons, EDR solutions are an essential component of a modern security strategy. By deploying EDR solutions, organizations can improve their overall security posture and better protect valuable data and assets. Without EDR solutions, you’re missing a critical piece of the cyber security puzzle that leaves your organization vulnerable to a growing amount of sophisticated endpoint targeting.
EDR Example: Microsoft Endpoint Detection and Response
How does an EDR solution work? Let’s use this example: Microsoft Endpoint Detection and Response, a cloud-based security EDR solution that provides advanced threat detection, investigation and response capabilities. Microsoft Endpoint Detection and response monitors endpoints including desktops, laptops, servers and mobile devices. Microsoft Endpoint EDR uses behavioral analytics and machine learning algorithms to detect and respond to advanced and sophisticated threats that traditional antivirus solutions can miss.
EDR tools like this example from Microsoft assist in remote endpoint management. We’ll cover the top EDR tools later in this article.
What are the benefits of EDR?
Now that we better understand what endpoint security is, let’s review the benefits.
Research suggests the average time between a breach and actual detection is more than200 days. EDR solutions help eliminate human response delays through its continuous monitoring, which allows for remediation through predictive analysis and advanced threat protection. Once the EDR solution detects an issue, it automatically takes action to quarantine and remove the threat while alerting appropriate administrators to prevent a potentially devastating and costly cyber incident.
- Enhanced visibility into your endpoints and allows for faster response time
- Post-breach detection, remediation, and response
- Machine learning and built-in analytics tools used to identify new and emerging threats
- Prevention of costly intrusion – an IBM study found those organizations that contain a breach in under 30 days save more the $1million.
What Are The Top EDR Tools?
How do you decide which EDR tool is the best for your organization? Your EDR decision will depend on factors including your organization’s size, budget and specific security needs. With the assistance of an EDR vendor such as DMC, we’ll help you identify the best endpoint security services for your business.
There are many EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) tools available on the market, and each has strengths and weaknesses. Here are some of the top EDR tools, all of which DMC has experience implementing:
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint: A cloud-based EDR solution that offers advanced threat detection, investigation, and response capabilities, along with endpoint protection features such as antivirus and antimalware
- SentinelOne: An AI-powered EDR solution that provides automated detection and response to threats, offering protection against malware, exploits and fileless attacks
- Cisco AMP (Advanced Malware Protection): A cloud-based security solution that provides advanced threat detection, prevention, and response capabilities for endpoints, networks, and cloud environments. Cisco AMP uses a combination of machine learning, behavioral analytics, and threat intelligence to identify and block malware and other advanced threats in real-time.
Selecting an EDR solution can seem like an overwhelming decision. That’s what DMC is here for — to help make your endpoint management and endpoint security decisions easier by providing the expertise you need to choose the right EDR platform for your business. You’re not in this alone.
Your EDR Vendor: How DMC Can Help
By outsourcing the management of endpoints to a third-party service provider, your organization will benefit from improved security, reduced downtime, and better visibility and control over their endpoints. Let’s explain. Say you’re an organization with limited IT resources. With an EDR vendor like DMC, you can leverage the expertise of external specialists to manage your IT infrastructure and security. Or, perhaps your are a mid-sized or larger operation with some IT staff. A vendor like DMC can serve as a consultative resource and support service to help you choose, implement and manage your EDR solution (As business leaders know, you can’t do it all).
DMC’s Managed Services includes advanced Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) software that provides you the peace of mind in knowing your greatest assets are being monitored 24/7 against the latest cyber threat. The end game: You minimize the risk of lost data and valuable revenue-generating production time.
For more information, check out our managed services solutions or vCIO services.
If you’re ready to chat or have questions, call us any time at (419)535-2900. Or, fill out this simple contact form and we’ll get in touch with you.
Endpoint Protection FAQs:
An EDR solution is a critical security tool for every business, especially those that handle sensitive data or have a high risk of cyber attacks. EDR solutions monitor endpoint devices (such as laptops, desktops, servers, and mobile devices) for suspicious activity, including data exfiltration, malware infections, and unauthorized access attempts.
Every business needs an EDR solution to help keep up with new threats, as they are ever-evolving. EDR solutions can help protect against cyber threats that could compromise your operations, damage your reputation, and result in financial losses.
Not sure where to start with an EDR for your company? A consultation with DMC will begin with assessing your organization’s vulnerabilities to determine the right security solutions appropriate for your business. We’ll be there every step of the process to protect some of your company’s most precious assets.
Yes, for comprehensive endpoint protection, we recommend you use an antivirus in addition to EDR solutions.
Antivirus solutions scan files and applications for known viruses and other types of malware and block them from infecting the endpoint. They are designed to detect, prevent and remove malware from your endpoints, and they are an essential component of endpoint protection.
On the other hand, endpoint detection and response solutions are designed to provide advanced threat detection, investigation and response capabilities. Using machine learning algorithms and behavioral analysis, EDR solutions detect and respond to advanced and sophisticated threats that traditional antivirus solutions may miss. They are not designed to replace an antivirus solution.
You need both an EDR solution and antivirus protection. Both technologies play important roles in an organization’s holistic endpoint security strategy. Using them together provides a multi-layered approach to endpoint security, which can improve your organization’s ability to detect and respond to a wide range of threats.
Although there are a few free EDR solutions available, those options have limitations. Some EDR solutions offer free trials so you can test and assess their services.
Free EDR solutions can provide basic threat detection and response capabilities, but they do not have the same sophisticated level of features and functionality as paid solutions. Your organization should assess its needs and requirements, and choose an EDR solution that best meets those needs. And we recommend partnering with an EDR vendor like DMC that can help you navigate the EDR decision-making process to choose the best protection for your organization’s evolving needs.
XDR, or Extended Detection Response, is an evolution of EDR. It expands the scope of threat detection and response beyond the endpoints we covered earlier (laptops, mobile devices, tablets, etc.) XDR involves other parts of the IT environment such as cloud services and security tools.
XDR integrates data from multiple security tools and sources, including endpoints, network devices, cloud services and threat intelligence feeds. Basically, XDR casts a wider net and provides a more comprehensive and cohesive view of the overall security posture of your organization.
XDR is next-generation security technology, going beyond the endpoint to include other parts of the IT infrastructure.
The cost of Managed EDR services can vary depending on several factors, such as the number of endpoints to be managed, the level of service required and the service provider you choose.
Some Managed EDR service providers offer tiered pricing based on the level of service and features provided. Basic EDR packages typically start at a lower price point and more advanced packages cost more. Other service providers may offer customized pricing based on the specific needs of your organization.
Managed EDR services can be a cost-effective way to gain access to advanced threat detection and response capabilities. As with any security investment, it’s important to evaluate the costs and benefits of Managed EDR services and choose a service provider that can meet your organization’s requirements.
DMC would be happy to help assess your needs and provide you with a robust strategy and cost for managing your endpoints.