Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) is a cybersecurity solution designed to detect and respond to advanced threats and malicious activities on endpoints within a network. An endpoint refers to any device or system connected to a network, such as computers, cloud software, servers, or mobile devices.
Organizations will typically have multiple endpoints of different types that need protection. Security experts, like Concensus Technologies, will deploy EDR systems that continuously monitor and collect data from endpoints and analyze the behavior of various processes, files, and network connections in real time. These systems use a combination of signature-based detection, behavioral analysis, and machine learning algorithms to identify suspicious activities and potential threats.
EDR Systems look for any anomalies or known threats. Basically, anything that’s out of place throughout the organization’s ecosystem of endpoints. As the name suggests, there are two key components to how EDR works – Detection and Response.
When a potential threat or suspicious activity is detected, EDR systems provide real-time alerts to security administrators or a managed IT provider, like Concensus. These alerts contain detailed information about the incident, including the affected endpoint, the type of threat, and its severity. Security experts can then investigate the incident further and take appropriate action to contain and remediate the threat.
EDR solutions also offer response capabilities. A response can be performed manually by administrators or, more commonly, automated to ensure immediate mitigation of a threat. These automated response actions are based on predefined policies and playbooks.
Some of the response actions performed by EDR systems to protect networks include:
Malware, like ransomware, will modify an organization’s files once introduced into a network. This can result in the files being encrypted, corrupted, and deleted. All of which can cost an organization a significant amount of time and money.
An EDR system will monitor files for any unusual changes that are outside normal parameters. Once unusual file activity is detected, the EDR system can isolate and contain the threat.
At any given time, there are countless hackers around the world trying to breach corporate and government networks and cloud accounts. An endpoint detection and response system identifies and blocks unauthorized access attempts, and will keep the information of that attempt as a reference to use in the future.
Another type of threat that EDR systems monitor for is abnormal network traffic. This is network activity that deviates from expected behaviors. It can include unusual port usage, unexpected network connections, excessive bandwidth use, and irregular communication patterns.
Managed EDR systems are updated regularly with new malware signatures so they can identify the presence of malicious code. New malware variants are being created by the thousands daily, so it’s important to have a system that can recognize the latest threats.
The EDR system collects a wide range of data from each endpoint, including system logs, network traffic, file metadata, and user behavior. This data is aggregated and centralized for analysis and correlation.
The EDR system employs various techniques to identify potential threats. These include signature-based detection, behavioral analysis techniques, and machine learning algorithms to enhance detection capabilities by learning from historical data and identifying patterns that indicate potential threats.
When the EDR system detects suspicious activities or potential threats, it generates real-time alerts. These alerts provide detailed information about the incident, including the affected endpoint, the nature of the threat, and its severity.
Upon receiving an alert, security experts like Concensus Technologies analyze the provided information, often using advanced investigation tools provided by the EDR system. They assess the threat, gather additional context, and determine the appropriate response. Certain responses are also programmed in and automated so they can happen in real time.
Once the threat is contained and mitigated, the EDR system assists in the remediation process. It may facilitate the removal of malware, restore compromised systems to a known-good state, or provide recommendations for strengthening security. EDR systems also generate reports and logs to aid in post-incident analysis, compliance requirements, and ongoing security improvement.
EDR plays a crucial role in modern cybersecurity strategies, especially in the context of rapidly evolving threats. By monitoring and protecting individual endpoints, Concensus Technologies and our EDR solutions help you detect and respond to threats quickly, minimizing the potential damage and reducing the overall risk to your organization and its sensitive data.
A majority of successful data breaches are considered “zero-day” exploits. This means that hackers have figured out how to conduct an attack on software or a new update before the developer knows it.
EDR can protect your organization from zero-day threats because it does not just look for known malware, it looks for anomalous behavior. This allows it to identify those threats based on the activities attempted in your system.
Do you fully understand your technology ecosystem? The collection of computers, mobile devices, employee-owned devices, and cloud apps that are being used to conduct business?
Having a managed EDR solution gives you a full picture of your entire attack surface. This helps ensure that no endpoints fall between the cracks, posing a serious risk to your cybersecurity.
Whether you need to comply with PCI DSS, GDPR, HIPAA, or another data security standard, a breach is bad news. It means you need to report the breach to customers and may potentially receive a non-compliance penalty.
With EDR in place, you can significantly improve your compliance posture and demonstrate that you’re making every effort to proactively identify and mitigate threats.
If you have to worry constantly about your security and play catchup with compliance rules, you’re not fully focused on your business. Employing a managed EDR plan with Concensus Technologies allows you to be fully confident that your company’s network and data are secure and focus fully on your organization and its mission.
Concensus Technologies is a national leading provider of professional IT solutions. We offer an expert team of well-trained and experienced technicians. You can rest assured you’re working with a team that is accountable and transparent, as well as humbly confident that we can offer you the best solution fit.
Concensus has been assisting a wide range of clients for over two decades. We have experience assisting all types of organizations, including large corporations, primary and secondary schools, small businesses – and everything in between.
We know you and how to scale endpoint security solutions to your distinct needs.
Every organization is different. We understand this and make customizing solutions to fit your needs part of our process.
Our experts will work to learn everything they can about how your organization utilizes technology. Then, we’ll tailor solutions to provide you with the exact match of services and tools to ensure your infrastructure is fully protected and well-managed.
By combining continuous monitoring, advanced detection techniques, and timely response capabilities, our managed EDR systems provide your organization with the ultimate protection. This includes enhanced visibility, threat detection, and incident response capabilities at the endpoint level, bolstering your overall network security.
Endpoint security is not something you want to put off until it’s too late. Don’t suffer a costly breach, instead sign up for some peace of mind that’s smart and proactive.
Contact our EDR experts at Concensus Technologies today and take a big step towards better data security.
