4 Reasons Endpoint Detection & Response Is Critical

Today’s organizations face major challenges when it comes to securing servers, networks, and devices. Especially as remote working continues to pick up steam, cybersecurity solutions are more vital than ever. Having a proper Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solution in place will ensure the protection of both organizations and remote workers alike, and it’s all possible through a combination of continuous monitoring and endpoint data collection.

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

EDR solutions primarily work to:

• Use collected endpoint data to identify potential threats
• Analyze said data to realize threat patterns
• Respond to threats in a quick manner, eliminate them, and/or notify appropriate personnel

Today, endpoint solutions not only work to secure desktops, tablets, and laptops but also protect smartphones and other wireless devices as well.

What Is An Endpoint?

The term endpoint includes any connected device that runs on an organization’s server or network. In the past, IT professionals mostly viewed laptops and desktop computers as endpoints.

Fast forward to today and the definition has expanded to include IoT (internet of things) IIoT (industrial internet of things) and OT (operational technology) devices. In layman’s terms, endpoints can now be smartphones, smartwatches, smart security systems, and so much more.

While these devices can be incredibly beneficial to an organization’s workflow structure, they open the door to many more vulnerabilities. If an endpoint gets compromised, it can wreak internal havoc on a company through both monetary loss and negative operational impact. Hence the need for a strong security protocol.

Why EDR Is An Important Layer Of Security

EDR is far more than traditional protocols that work to pinpoint incidents and respond appropriately. The key component of EDR is increased visibility, which is essential for catching attacks.

On average, it takes over 6 months to identify an attack that’s passed through endpoint security undetected. Referred to as an advanced persistent threat, they are notorious for going unnoticed for long periods of time. Thanks to EDR, however, these attacks can be brought to the surface more easily. Let’s look at a few primary elements associated with EDR.

Data Collection And Storage

The first element of EDR is data collection and storage. EDR uses data to facilitate the visibility component. EDR’s continuous data monitoring involves tracking things like system processes, data transfers, and network connections to identify potential threats.

There is a ton of data that EDR tracks, so it’s recommended to store it in the cloud to maintain enough data storage capacity.

Automated Response

Once an EDR system identifies a threat, an action, or automatic response, is triggered. This action can be anything from notifying appropriate personnel to completely blocking network access. The latter is helpful because it prevents an attack from expanding beyond the point that it was originally detected.

Analysis And Forensics

An analytics engine will work to sift through data and try to identify patterns. On the other hand, forensics analysis involves a more hands-on approach where humans go in to confirm a threat. Because false positives do occur, a human counterpart is used to remove any threats that aren’t suspicious after all.

Complete protection

Cybersecurity solutions should be a part of every business’s IT services package. As the workplace continues to change, new IT solutions must adapt also. Even for a small business, IT support is critical to stay competitive. If your business doesn’t have its own IT services, consider partnering with a third party, like LeadingIT.