What is Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)?

Endpoint detection and response is a tool used by people who want extra strong security in their systems. It observes everything happening on your computers, phones, and laptops. Cyberattacks are increasing and you should be familiar with the new online threats and how to overcome them. In this blog, we will discuss EDR and its importance and how it stops and blocks any harmful program from being on your device.

What is Endpoint Detection & Response?

EDR records the behavior of your device activities; it observes which applications are installed on your device or what files are downloaded on your device. To keep checking if they got any virus. If anything suspicious is detected in your device, EDR blocks access to that program, and anything found harmful EDR immediately blocks it from your device. Moreover, also alert the cybersecurity staff if their actions are required.

How Does EDR Work?

EDR solutions tool is beneficial to detect any harm in your device instantly. Mainly used in larger organizations. It is needed when employees are working remotely from different parts of the world. Since all are using their systems, connections can’t be trusted if any malware gets into the company’s website or main portal, it can affect the whole organization’s employee’s data and the reputation of the company.

Corporations guide their employees to install this tool so they can work safely on their systems from anywhere around. So, any unauthorized access or threat can be monitored on the spot. And the cybersecurity department of the organization takes necessary actions if needed.

Here is the Working Flow of EDR:

Endpoint Data tracking

EDR takes information from the devices about their activities including logging in to any website, also the activities happening on the device, and monitoring the connections with the device communicating. EDR keeps all the data private and removes all the information that can identify a person’s identity before sending it to the central server.

Data Threat Analysis

Threat Analysis in EDR utilizes advanced technology of machine learning to gather the right data from the device. It helps in learning the normal and unusual behavior of the device. By normal behavior, it means that usual activities are performed in the device. In the beginning, a baseline is created where regular patterns are set. If anything unusual happens it is detected quickly in comparison with the normal results.

Security Alerts

If suspicious activity is notified, EDR alerts the IT team to check into the vulnerabilities found. Additionally, EDR has the quality to take fast actions which are set automatically, it comes in when any unauthorized activity is detected or any virus is found in the device. EDR blocks it first and takes the necessary steps required to protect the system from malware. It all happens before the manual action to be performed by the cybersecurity team.

Data Storage for Detection

EDR stores all the data while detecting the threats, after alerting the cybersecurity team. The data is stored for the team to study and investigate for future cases to work on similar levels of threats that were not noticed before and got missed or hidden previously.

What is the Difference between EDR and Conventional Antivirus Software?

What is the Importance of EDR?

EDR is an important security tool that detects and automatically stops harmful viruses or threats within your device and servers, and prevents them from spreading. It detects all types of attacks like ransomware, malware, and other severe viruses. Let’s check out the points briefly to tell the importance of EDR.

It Limits Security Risks

EDR finds the devices that are connected and unauthorized or embedded devices. If these devices are unsafe and have security vulnerabilities. Then EDR manages these devices to make them secure. Also, set rules and regulations for devices to communicate with the network.

Protect From Advanced Threats

Endpoint detection and response stops and blocks all threats and attacks instantly with its built-in threat protection ability if found in the device. Also helps the cyber team to work on the specific threat that is detected in the device. EDR helps make the system malware-free.

Makes Security Operations Fast

EDR makes the process quick for the security team by identifying threats and the focus of the team on the major threats in the system. As initially Discussed, it prevents the threat as a threat is showing up and stops it from spreading further.

Benefits of Endpoint Detection and Response

Now you have already known what EDR is and how much of an important tool it is to keep your device protected from malicious attacks. It detects threats and takes action in real-time without any delay and protects organizations from severe data breaches and other threats. Here are the key benefits of the EDR solution:

Prevents Data Breaches

Data breaches destroy the company’s reputation and affect them with huge financial losses. Also, customers are not interested in working with the same company. EDR helps in identifying the threat before a hacker gets into the system for any harm.

Complex Threats Detection

EDR not only identifies the regular threats, as it is a stand-out cybersecurity tool, but it also finds new and major threats in devices. By using the branch of AI “Machine learning” is integrated in EDR makes it detect complex and accurate threats. Furthermore, with behavior analysis, any strange pattern or action is identified instantly.

Prevent External Threats

For enhanced security, EDR uses encryption, firewalls, and other device controls to prevent devices from getting hacked. External threats can come from USB drives, external threats like ransomware, phishing attacks, and more.

Smart Investigations

EDR provides you with a detailed analysis of the threats, so the security team in a short time can investigate the vulnerabilities. Much time is saved in this process, and the issue is resolved in less time.

What are the Drawbacks of EDR?

However, there are benefits of EDR, but just like other things, EDR has some drawbacks as well.

Slow Setup

During the time of installation of EDR or before hackers find it easier to attack your system. Also, some EDR software makes your system offline for a short period, which can interrupt your work and expose you to hackers. Here you can use a reliable VPN like iProVPN so can still browse safely using a VPN and your personal information will not get exposed, when your system goes offline.

Limited Features

Some EDR tools are not enough. You will require some additional tools and plugins to enhance the cybersecurity of your system. That will keep your system safe from new threats. However, you can also use a VPN alongside EDR software, for more security and privacy.

Need Stable Internet

EDR needs proper and stable internet connectivity for cloud-based platforms. If your internet connectivity is slow then you may face delay in communication. Moreover, if you get offline then your cloud system can get into potential risk.

Conclusion

EDR solution is the best software for detecting threats from your device. It detects all new threats from the system with the old ones, and before the security team takes any actions it blocks harmful attacks. It makes it easier and less time-consuming for the security team to detect the virus. Moreover, they can get to know new threats in the system which they can study in detail to stay alert with new threats and attacks. This way they can also identify the missed or previous attacks. 

Moreover, EDR has a lot of benefits but there are a few disadvantages as well including it takes a while to install, which creates a chance for hackers to attack the system. Some EDR tools must be not enough for enhanced security, and for that, you need to integrate some plugins. Also, you can use some tools alongside EDR for extra security.