Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR)

🛡️ What is EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response)?

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) is a cybersecurity technology designed to detect, investigate, and respond to suspicious activity on endpoint devices such as laptops, desktops, servers, and mobile devices.

---

🔍 Why is EDR Important?

Traditional antivirus tools rely on known signatures to block malware. However, modern threats like fileless malware, ransomware, and insider attacks often evade traditional defences.

EDR steps in by providing:

• Real-time visibility into endpoint behaviour
• Detection of advanced threats
• Rapid investigation and response tools

---

🧠 How EDR Works

EDR solutions continuously monitor and collect activity data from endpoints. When suspicious behaviour is detected (e.g. unusual PowerShell activity, lateral movement, or privilege escalation), EDR systems:

1. Alert analysts
2. Provide a timeline of events
3. Allow containment (e.g. isolating a host)
4. Support forensic investigation

This allows security teams to hunt threats proactively and minimise dwell time.

---

🔧 Core Features of EDR

Feature	Description
Continuous Monitoring	Tracks endpoint activity 24/7
Threat Detection	Uses AI/ML and behavioural analytics
Incident Response	Enables remote isolation, memory dumps, or process kills
Forensic Data	Provides historical data for investigation
Threat Hunting	Analysts can query endpoint telemetry to find hidden threats
Integration	Connects with SIEM, SOAR, and threat intelligence feeds

---

🖥️ What Devices Does EDR Cover?

• Windows, macOS, and Linux endpoints
• Cloud workloads (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• Virtual machines
• Containers
• Mobile devices (in some platforms)

🔄 EDR vs Antivirus

Feature	Traditional Antivirus	EDR
Signature-Based	✅ Yes	⚠️ Limited
Behavioural Analysis	❌ No	✅ Yes
Real-Time Response	❌ No	✅ Yes
Threat Hunting	❌ No	✅ Yes
Memory/Process Visibility	❌ No	✅ Yes

EDR doesn’t replace antivirus — it extends and strengthens endpoint security.

---

🛠️ Examples of Popular EDR Tools

• CrowdStrike Falcon
• Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
• SentinelOne
• VMware Carbon Black
• Sophos Intercept X

---

🔒 EDR in a Cybersecurity Stack

EDR is often part of a defence-in-depth strategy, sitting alongside:

• Firewalls
• SIEM (Security Information and Event Management)
• SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response)
• Threat Intelligence Platforms
• MDR/XDR services

---

🧠 Summary

EDR is a vital cybersecurity layer that empowers security teams to detect, investigate, and respond to threats targeting endpoints. It closes the gap left by traditional antivirus and helps reduce the impact of breaches by responding in real-time.

🔝 Top Enterprise EDR Tools