XDR vs. EDR vs. NDR: A Comparison

Extended Detection & Response (XDR), leverage both EDR and NDR, Endpoint Detection and response, focuses on endpoint activity, and Network Detection and response.

In this article, we will compare these similar but different technologies, showcase their benefits, and explain why your company could find them useful as the volume and intensity of cyberattacks keeps on growing.

Key Takeaways:

• Evolution of Cybersecurity Tools;
• Features and Benefits of XDR, EDR, and NDR;
• Comparative Analysis of XDR, EDR, and NDR;
• Importance in Modern Cybersecurity Strategy;
• Role of Heimdal® in Cybersecurity.
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

What is Extended Detection and Response (XDR)?

XDR solutions are unified platforms that are built to detect and respond to incidents. XDR automatically collects and analyses data from multiple data sources like email, endpoints, servers, cloud data sources, and networks.

This means that XDR helps security teams to identify, investigate, and mitigate threats across multiple layers of security, and not just focus on the end-point detection. Extended Detection and Response leverages machine learning to detect malicious threats by performing AI analysis of both internal and external traffic to spot possible attacks.

It also can avoid attacks and detect zero-day vulnerabilities with the help of integrated threat intelligence, which includes information on known attack strategies, sources, and tools across a wide range of vectors.

The variety of data that XDR collects and offers contexts on can provide valuable insights for after-the-attack investigations, such as revealing the entry point of entry, identifying the affected systems, determining the attack’s origin, and more.

XDR Benefits

One of the standout advantages of XDR is its superior endpoint protection capabilities. By continuously monitoring and analyzing network data, XDR ensures that every device connected to the network remains shielded from potential threats.

Moreover, with the integration of XDR, security analysts are better equipped to spot, investigate, and respond to an incident in a shorter period of time.

The collaborative efforts of security teams, empowered by the comprehensive insights provided by XDR, lead to the formulation and implementation of more robust security solutions.

This collaborative approach, combined with the streamlined operation of unified security tools, ensures that organizations are always a step ahead.

Because XDR unifies multiple security tools under one platform, it will make security software easier to handle, saving time for IT specialists and increasing overall productivity.

Another benefit of having all your company’s cybersecurity tools in one place is the reduction of costs that come from it.

Given all that, your systems will work easily because XDR is less heavy on them compared to separate security tools, operating on different platforms.

Lacking the appropriate XDR solution could leave you exposed to significant cyber threats.

The positive side is that you have a multitude of excellent XDR tools that you can choose from.

What Is Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)?

EDR solutions work with endpoint data that they collect, correlate, and analyze from all devices where software agents or endpoint agents are deployed.

Using this data, an EDR can detect suspicious behavior at the endpoint level, helping security teams to identify and block threats, as well as to remediate problems and restore affected systems.

More advanced EDR systems utilize machine learning to discover new threats by utilizing threat patterns based on suspicious behaviors and activity.

Furthermore, security professionals can examine the collected endpoint data to identify possible points of compromise, ensuring a robust security posture.

Key features of EDR:

• The capability of detecting security breaches;
• Responding to threats by removing or containing them;
• Restraining malware at the endpoint level;
• Investigating security incidents;
• Offering solutions for remediation;
• Real-time monitoring of the data that passes endpoints.

EDR Benefits

The Endpoint Detection and Response solution is critical for your cybersecurity posture, as it allows you to better understand the risks that are out there and what attacks are targeting your endpoint devices (IoT devices, servers, laptops, desktops, cell phones, and more).

It also gives you a better overview of the ever-growing number of endpoints that are connected to a network.

EDR systems have a holistic approach to endpoint security and identify security incidents as they happen.

EDR can detect malicious activities previously missed by a firewall or antivirus by tracking changes on endpoints, like file tampering.

And can assist in the forensics of an incident thanks to the data it collects from endpoints.

Because of refined cyberattacks and the rise of endpoints across a network that make it more vulnerable to cyberattacks, the implementation of EDR software has increased.

What Is Network Detection and Response (NDR)?

NDR solutions survey your network for known, unknown threats and suspicious activity, analyzing continuously the traffic from your network, creating a pattern of normal behavior.

To detect abnormal network data, NDR solutions primarily use non-signature-based tools (machine learning or other analytical techniques), unlike legacy software that relies on signatures being categorized as malicious or not.

NDR alerts the security team when it detects any suspicious behavior and also provides response functionalities in the event of an incident, assisting IT specialists in mitigating malware.

More advanced NDR platforms can help you with reliable forensics capabilities, offering long-term data storage.

These data can be used by the security team when an indicator of compromise (IOC) is detected to explore compromised host communication, evaluate lateral movement, and decide if a data breach has taken place.

NDR Benefits

Using an NDR solution will significantly improve the visibility across your organization’s network, covering any blind spots.

• No-signature-based AI learning. Enables NDR to correctly identify more sophisticated, fileless, malware that exists out there.
• Analytics & behavioral features. More accurate threat alerts for known and unknown malware.
• Network Detection & Response. Helps the IT team achieve a faster response by promptly sending security alerts in the event of a relevant threat.
• Packet data Analysis. NDR focuses on analyzing packet data in network traffic, the most credible, accurate, and comprehensive source of information.
• Improved cyber-posture. Improve security by providing network context and automating response to threats, allowing for greater collaboration between network and security teams and faster remediation.

XDR vs. EDR vs. NDR

As we said right at the start of this article, these three detection and response solutions have similarities but are different.

Let’s break down the features that differentiate each solution:

Area of action

• XDR – Combines endpoint devices, traffic, cloud, and applications, delivering a holistic security approach;
• EDR – Secures all endpoint devices, providing a robust defense at the device level;
• NDR – Focuses on the network and the traffic between devices, offering insights into network-level threats and anomalies.

Main purpose

• XDR – Offers visibility at multiple levels (cloud, network, devices), detects threats, monitors activity, assesses vulnerabilities, sends alerts, assists in mitigation and response, and follows all the stages of an event;
• EDR – It focuses on protecting endpoints from infiltration, monitoring devices’ activities, mitigating attacks, assessing vulnerabilities, sending alerts, and assisting in thereat response;
• NDR – Assures visibility over network traffic, detects known and unknown threats, spots lateral movement, sends alerts, and assists in threat response.

Function

• XDR – Uses AI to spot Indicators of Attack (IoA), Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) and Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs), detects anomalies and malicious behavior;
• EDR – Detects malicious behavior using AI, signature-based threat-hunting, analyses Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTP), and detects Indicators of Compromise (IoC);
• NDR – Follows Indicators of Attack (IoA), detects anomalies, user behavior, and machine learning.

Limitations

• XDR – It can be challenging to integrate a certain XDR solution into your existing security suite;
• EDR – Can be bypassed by Advanced Persistent Threats (APT), ransomware, malicious scripts, and more;
• NDR – Can be bypassed by Advanced Persistent Threats (APT), ransomware, malicious scripts, and more.

Which Threat Detection and Response Solution Is Best for Your Organization?

EDR actively monitors, secures, and mitigates problems at the endpoint level, relying on the deployment of an agent on every device and unable to operate effectively in cloud-based environments, for example.

This is where XDR can help, being able to offer more comprehensive monitoring and data analysis from different streams, all in one unified platform.

Most large organizations will need to combine EDR, and NDR, by choosing an Extending Detection and Response solution as part of their security strategy to obtain a robust and mature cybersecurity posture.

How Can Heimdal® Help?

Our Extended Detection and Response platform offers comprehensive, unified security coverage.

This seamless integration facilitates total visibility throughout your entire IT infrastructure, resulting in swifter and more precise identification and handling of threats.

Heimdal’s Endpoint Detection and Response offers unrivaled prevention, threat-hunting, and remediation capabilities.

With advanced detection algorithms and proactive incident response abilities, it provides robust protection for your endpoints, ensuring timely threat mitigation and minimizing potential damage.

With its distinctive threat-hunting capabilities and comprehensive visibility across your entire network, Heimdal®’s Threat Prevention Network, a DNS-based solution, can help you strengthen your network perimeter security.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do XDR, EDR, and NDR differ in terms of their deployment and architecture?

XDR: 

• Deployment: Typically cloud-based, integrating multiple security products into a single platform.
• Architecture: Centralized architecture that aggregates and correlates data from diverse sources.

EDR:

• Deployment: Can be on-premises or cloud-based, often as a dedicated agent installed on endpoints.
• Architecture: Decentralized, with agents on each endpoint reporting to a central management console.

NDR:

• Deployment: Usually deployed as appliances or virtual machines within the network.
• Architecture: Centralized or distributed, focusing on monitoring network traffic and communications.

How does the integration of data differ among XDR, EDR, and NDR solutions?

XDR:

• Integration: Seamlessly integrates data from various security products and sources, creating a unified view.
• Advantages: Enhances visibility and correlation across multiple environments, improving detection accuracy.

EDR:

• Integration: Limited to endpoint data, providing deep insights but within a narrower scope.
• Advantages: Excels in detailed endpoint-specific threat detection and remediation.

NDR:

• Integration: Focused on aggregating and analyzing network data.
• Advantages: Effective in identifying lateral movement and network-based threats.

In what scenarios would XDR be more beneficial than EDR or NDR?

XDR:

• Scenarios: Ideal for organizations requiring a holistic security approach across diverse IT environments.
• Benefits: Provides a broad view, improving detection and response capabilities across endpoints, networks, and other security layers.

EDR:

• Scenarios: Best for environments with a high reliance on endpoints and the need for detailed endpoint visibility.
• Benefits: Offers specialized tools and techniques for endpoint threat detection and remediation.

NDR:

• Scenarios: Suitable for organizations needing robust network traffic monitoring to detect and respond to network-based threats.
• Benefits: Focuses on identifying threats in network traffic, which might be missed by endpoint-centric solutions.

What are the main challenges of implementing XDR compared to EDR and NDR?

XDR:

• Challenges: Complexity in integration and management due to the involvement of multiple security products and data sources.
• Resource Requirements: Higher, as it needs skilled personnel to handle the comprehensive scope.

EDR:

• Challenges: Limited to endpoint visibility; may miss threats that do not manifest directly on endpoints.
• Resource Requirements: Moderate, focused on endpoint management.

NDR:

• Challenges: Does not provide visibility into endpoints; network encryption can hinder threat detection.
• Resource Requirements: Moderate, with a focus on network traffic analysis and management.

Wrapping Up…

In today’s cybercrime landscape organizations require more versatile and advanced cybersecurity technologies to detect threats in a variety of environments. That is why combining EDR, NDR, and XDR can be the key to a solid backbone in your cybersecurity plan.

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Adelina Deaconu

CONTENT EDITOR

With over three years as a SOC Team Lead in the Heimdal MXDR department, Adelina is dedicated to sharing her knowledge and insights through her writing. Her articles and publications provide invaluable guidance on emerging trends, best practices, and effective strategies to combat cyber threats.