What is Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)?
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) is a term that was first suggested by Anton Chuvakin at Gartner to describe security systems that monitor endpoints to automatically detect, investigate, and respond to threats in real-time. Â Endpoints are the mobile devices, laptops, computers, servers, and systems connected to your business network. These endpoints are all entry points that create opportunities for attackers to infiltrate your business. EDR has become increasingly popular in response to the escalating growth of ransomware, malware, and zero-day attacks.
The primary functions of an EDR system are:
- Collect and monitor network activity from endpoints
- Analyze this activity data to identify potential threats
- Automatically respond to identified threats in real-time to remove or quarantine them
- Notify security personnel of identified threats
- Enable threat hunting and research activity for security personnel through forensics tools
What does Endpoint Detection and Response do?
The 2021 Verizon Data Breach Investigation Report (DBIR) showed that outsiders contributed to nearly 80% of breaches, while 93% of system intrusions could be traced to the actions of an external party. As most attacks come from outside the network, it is vital to defend endpoints against compromise. Endpoint Detection and Response has two critical functions in this mission: detect potential attacks on the network originating through the endpoints and respond, both automatically and with intervention from security personnel to thwart attacks in real-time.
Detection
EDR uses an endpoint software agent to collect and monitor network activity 24x7x365 from a cloud-based platform. These events are reviewed and analyzed using machine learning and behavioral heuristics to identify suspicious activity. Anomalous behavior is flagged and prioritized so that security personnel can focus their investigations on the activity most likely to present a threat and decrease response times to attacks. A modern EDR solution should include powerful forensic and search functionality to identify the techniques, tactics and procedures TTPs being used to attack networks.
Response
Detecting and understanding potential threats are only part of the battle. Considering multi-stage attacks that use any combination of ransomware, malware, and exploitation of zero-day vulnerabilities, real-time response to contain and prevent the spread of unseen attacks is needed. To effectively mitigate the broad spectrum of cyber-attacks, EDR relies upon machine learning and behavioral heuristics to recognize network activity that is suspicious or out of the ordinary. When an attack is identified, EDR isolates the affected program or file from spreading to the rest of the network to contain the attack as it occurs. To counteract ransomware and malware attacks, robust EDR platforms contain a secure, virtualized environment where suspect files and programs can be quarantined, verified as dangerous, and eliminated. EDR platforms provide up-to-the-minute visibility of remediation efforts and empower security teams to minimize the impact of threats as they occur.
Why do I need Endpoint Detection and Response?
Many business owners and executives find themselves wondering if EDR is necessary for their network. Endpoints have become increasingly vulnerable targets for attack, especially as working from anywhere proliferates, and businesses of all sizes reply upon them. Valuable data has extended from inside the network to beyond the edge, and attacks are only getting more complex and difficult for traditional anti-malware solutions to detect and prevent. Endpoint security is a must for organizations that want to help prevent and contain many types of cyber-attacks, including ransomware and malware, and have the tools and capabilities to respond to unknown, zero-day vulnerabilities. The 24x7x365 monitoring through a cloud-based platform provides a watchful eye over your network that never sleeps.
Viking Cloud Endpoint Security provides advanced protection, detection, response, and risk analytics to protect your network from the full spectrum of threats, including ransomware attacks. For more information, visit https://www.vikingcloud.com/cybersecurity/endpoint-security
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