What is the difference between EDR, XDR and MDR and why does it matter to your security?

Acronyms and jargon often infiltrate our daily lives, initially emerging as practical shortcuts but eventually transforming into daunting entities that can leave non-technical people feeling overwhelmed.

Worry not, as a non-technical explanation is on the horizon, shedding light on the essence of EDR, XDR, and MDR, and elucidating how these security services can prove advantageous for your organization.

1. Dwell time

Before we dive deeper, let’s set the stage right and talk about “dwell time”. This is the time the attacker “dwells” inside your environment undetected, moving laterally and preparing the strike at the most opportune time.

For context, in 2020, the global average dwell time was 56 days, indicating that attackers typically had nearly two months of unrestricted access before being identified. EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) and XDR (Extended Detection and Response) tools aim to reduce this dwell time by swiftly detecting and responding to threats.

2. EDR – Endpoint Detection and Response

EDR ( Endpoint Detection and Response) focuses on detection and response at the endpoint level, dealing with threats after the execution of malware. It identifies suspicious behavior and employs tools for containment or mitigation.

EDR is not solely focused on preventing breaches, but also on detecting and mitigating threats post-malware execution. Traditional antivirus tools operate mainly in the pre-infection stage, relying on virus signatures and machine learning. However, their effectiveness is limited, blocking only a fraction of real-world threats. Post-infection tools, like EDR, address threats that have already executed on the machine by analyzing behavior and responding accordingly. Forensics play a key role in threat hunting during this phase.

3. XDR – Extended Detection and Response

Moving beyond endpoints, XDR (Extended Detection and Response) is a SaaS-based security tool that integrates multiple security products to form a cohesive security operations system. XDR ingests data from various security products, normalizes and correlates this data using AI, and then responds to threats automatically or manually. The integration, analysis, and response components make up the core of XDR.

XDR expands the scope beyond endpoints to include critical areas like firewalls and cloud applications. In essence, both EDR and XDR contribute to minimizing the time attackers spend within a network.

4. MDR – Managed Detection and Response

While EDR and XDR focus on specific technologies for threat detection and response, MDR (Managed Detection and Response) is a service provided by third-party entities. MDR involves 24/7 threat monitoring, detection, and lightweight response, combining technologies like EDR, network analysis, and visibility tools. The quality of MDR depends on its ability to incorporate extended detection and response visibility.

In summary, EDR and XDR are not mutually exclusive but complementary. EDR is usually the starting point, addressing endpoint risks, while XDR extends the capabilities to various network components. MDR, as a service, integrates these technologies for effective threat monitoring and response. The common goal across these technologies is to detect and respond to threats promptly.

I hope I was able to give you some idea what EDR, XDR and MDR are all about and how they can protect your organization. IMPACT Group is a Certified Managed Cybersecurity Provider. We would love to learn more about what your unique security challenges are, and together turn them into opportunities where you can manage better this risk.

Get in touch with us using the contact form on the right or call us directly at (651)764- 7078 and let’s get your EDR, XDR or MDR solution configured and working well for you!