Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): What it is and why is it important?

As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve and become more powerful and sophisticated, there is an emerging need for modern digital security solutions that are capable of detecting and mitigating advanced threats. With on average more than 2,200 cyberattacks incidents taking place every day, it has become increasingly difficult for all sizes of businesses to tackle existing security threats and deploying new security measures while managing business operations. Endpoint security, detection, and response offer next-generation tools, features, and technologies to businesses that are equipped with evolutionary technologies such as Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to tackle modern security threats.

 

What is Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)?

Endpoint detection and response (EDR) or threat detection and response (ETDR), is an upgrade over conventional endpoint security.  Powered with artificial intelligence and machine learning, endpoint detection and response offers next-generation security solutions that leverage cloud computing, data, and behavior analytics to monitor, mitigate and report security threats in real-time. EDR also offers robust rules-based automated response and analysis to increase endpoint visibility, facilitate faster response times, identify and mitigate security threats automatically without human intervention.

 

Why is Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) so important?

The number of cyber threats, attack vectors, and the damage capabilities of adversaries is on the uprising as cybercriminals continue to exploit zero-day vulnerabilities by using first-of-their-kind attack vectors. Adversaries successfully find and exploit zero-day vulnerabilities in software, applications, networks, and devices of individuals and organizations before the developers and security experts can issue appropriate security updates and patches. This allows attackers to remain one step ahead of security experts. However, next-generation endpoint detection and response breaks this malevolent cycle by effectively discovering, containing, and mitigating advanced persistent threats (APTs), zero-day and polymorphic threats and vulnerabilities. AI and machine learning used in endpoint detection and response security solutions critically evaluate and monitor the behaviors of files, processes, and activities in real-time and if a slight risk to security is posed by a malicious file, it is immediately quarantined and additional remedial actions are automatically performed to contain and minimize the risk of a potential breach or asset damage. This also provides developers and security experts valuable time to issue proper security updates to patch the loopholes before they are exploited by the attackers.

 

The primary functions of an EDR security system include but are not limited to below:

 

• Real-time endpoint threat monitoring and activity data/information collection
• Evaluating the collected data/information to identify behaviors and patterns to assess security risks.
• Automatic detection, containment, mitigation, and report of identified security threats.
• Providing extensive digital forensics and analysis tools for the experts to study the behavior, execution, and working of identified threats.

 

Organizations throughout the world are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of endpoint protection. According to industry experts, the adoption of endpoint protection will increase in the incoming future, as the sales of EDR solutions are expected to reach $7.27 billion by 2026. The growing number of IoT gadgets such as smartphones, laptops, smart TVs, home security systems, tablets, etc. ultimately means more endpoints for adversaries to target. As there are already a host of cybersecurity complications exposing endpoints, the number of cyberattacks is anticipated to increase over time as more and more IoT gadgets go online. In order to ensure business continuity and security, organizations are turning to next-generation endpoint detection and response solutions for efficient threat detection and automatic mitigation.