Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

What is Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)? 

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) is an IT security solution designed specifically to protect physical devices connected to a network, commonly referred to as endpoints. The endpoints can be laptops, mobile phones, tablets, servers, embedded devices, etc. that can be connected to the network. 

EDR solutions use technologies such as behavioral analysis, machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and other methods to detect threats or risks to the endpoints. EDR is a relatively new technology that has become more popular recently. It is often combined with more traditional methods of detecting threats and risks. 

Traditional antivirus methods use signature-based techniques to detect and block known endpoint threats. These techniques use certain methods to compare files on the device with a database of known virus patterns. If a match is found, the infected file or program is automatically blocked. It is an effective method for detecting and stopping known threats, but it’s not enough to protect your endpoints against new and unknown threats. 

EDR technology is instead based on the behavioral analysis of programs and processes that queue at the endpoint. This means that the solution can detect and identify new types of threats, including advanced threats specifically designed to evade traditional antivirus methods. EDR solutions can, among other things, detect malware that alters its signature, or use obfuscation techniques or use legitimate programs such as PowerShell or Bash to identify detections that are not identifiable by traditional antiviruses. 

EDRs are employing machine learning techniques to conduct behavioral analysis, enabling them to detect fileless malware based on its characteristic behaviors. 

For example, CrowdStrike uses machine learning techniques like: 

• Cloud-based ML: This technique is triggered by files and file attributes associated with known malware. This is similar to the sensor-based ML technique. The key difference is sensor-based ML can run when a host is offline, but cloud-based ML does not run on hosts when they’re offline. 
• Sensor-based ML: This technique is triggered by files and file attributes associated with known malware. 
• Adware/PUP: Triggered by processes and files machine learning identifies as adware and potentially unwanted programs (PUP). 

EDR solutions also monitor endpoint activities to detect suspicious behavior that indicates a hacker may have taken over a user’s account or device. For example, EDR solutions can detect if a malicious user has successfully hacked into a user’s account and started modifying sensitive information. EDR solutions can also identify if a user’s device has been compromised by malware and act to stop the threat. 

If an attacker tries to gain unauthorized access to privileges or access a sensitive file path, it is detected and displayed by the tool. Below are some other types of activities detected by EDRs: 

• Gaining access to other connected systems 
• Deploying additional malicious payloads on a target system 
• Adjusting security settings or privileges. 

Why should you have EDR and not just a regular antivirus solution? 

As mentioned above, traditional antivirus software uses signature-based techniques that are effective in detecting and dealing with known threats. However, traditional antivirus solutions are not sufficient to protect against new and unknown threats, which are constantly evolving and becoming more complex. Therefore, organizations and enterprises need a more advanced solution that can protect their endpoints against these new and unknown threats. 

EDR solutions have several advantages over a traditional antivirus program. Some of the main benefits of EDR are as follows: 

• Better protection against advanced threats: EDR solutions use techniques such as behavioral analytics, machine learning, and AI to uncover threats that traditional antivirus programs cannot detect. EDR thus provides a higher degree of protection against advanced threats. Also, EDRs are integrated with Global Threat Intelligence like VirusTotal, which facilitates easy identification of threats. These tools can allow isolation of the infected device, that can help mitigate the risk of other devices being infected. 

• Better visibility and responsiveness: EDR solutions give organizations a better view of their endpoints, making it easier to detect threats and respond quickly. EDR solutions also provide the ability to conduct detailed investigations of threats and events occurring on the endpoints, improving reaction capabilities, and facilitating post-attack clean-up. EDRs are also capable of taking automated actions like quarantining the file and process killing. 

• Better protection against insider threats: EDR solutions can detect and block insider threats, such as an employee trying to steal company information or installing malware on company computers. Furthermore, EDR solutions can detect unwanted programs that are not allowed to be installed on company computers according to company policies, such as games. EDR solutions can detect, block the execution, and delete unwanted or malicious files. 

• Increased compliance with security requirements: Many organizations are required to comply with specific security requirements that require a higher level of protection than traditional antivirus programs can offer. EDR solutions can help meet these requirements and provide a higher level of both security and compliance. 

• Reduced need for manual work: EDR solutions can automate security-related processes such as detecting, blocking, and reporting threats. This reduces the need for manual work and gives the IT team more time to focus on other tasks. 

In summary, EDR solutions are important for organizations and enterprises that want a higher level of protection against advanced threats. Using advanced technologies such as behavioral analytics, machine learning, and AI, EDR solutions can detect threats that traditional antivirus programs do not detect. EDR solutions also provide greater visibility across endpoints and increased responsiveness, making it easier to detect and block threats. By using EDR solutions, organizations can reduce data intrusion risk, protect company information, and meet security requirements.  

We at eBuilder Security offer EDR and MDR solutions acting as MSSPs (Managed Security Service Providers) of global security giants like CrowdStrike and Cybereason. MDR is a complete solution for cyber threat management, offered as a full-time service that provides managed detection and response for EDR 24/7. With MDR, you can let us take care of the entire management chain of your EDR solution, from detection to action. eBuilder Security also offers Threat Hunting where we proactively guard your data environment 24/7 from possible threats.