EDR vs. MDR vs. XDR: Which Is Right for Your Business?
Cyberattacks grow more common — and more sophisticated — by the day. The latest research from IBM suggests that a stunning 83% of businesses have experienced at least one data breach, with each breach costing upwards of $4.35 million.
To fight back, all forward-thinking organizations must invest in robust security measures that will safeguard their sensitive systems and data. But the market for cybersecurity solutions can be challenging to navigate, with so many confusing acronyms and competing claims that it can be tough to tell what means what.
In this blog post, we’ll offer a quick guide to three key classes of cybersecurity solutions: Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and Extended Detection and Response (XDR).
(Note: the cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving, and different vendors define these solutions in slightly different ways. Below you’ll find general descriptions of each solution that most experts would agree on. If you have questions about these distinctions or if you’d like to take a deeper dive into a specific solution from a particular vendor, please give us a call.)
What is EDR?
As its name implies, Endpoint Detection and Response focuses primarily on endpoints (i.e., servers, desktops, laptops and mobile devices). EDR solutions typically use technologies like machine learning and behavioral analytics to monitor these endpoints, detect suspicious activity and respond to potential threats.
What is MDR?
Think of Managed Detection and Response as EDR plus human oversight. This is a proactive security service provided by third-party cybersecurity experts that combines advanced threat detection with 24/7 monitoring and professional expertise. Many MDR solutions go beyond the scope of traditional endpoint security, extending protection to networks, clouds and other critical parts of a modern IT infrastructure.
What is XDR?
Extended Detection and Response is often touted as the next evolution of EDR and MDR, although the details can vary widely from one solution to the next. In general, XDR solutions are designed to provide comprehensive threat detection across multiple layers of your IT infrastructure — not just endpoints but also systems, workloads and applications. XDR solutions are purpose-built to integrate data from all of these sources so you can get complete visibility into the full landscape of emerging threats.
Which cybersecurity solution is right for your business?
The choice between EDR, MDR and XDR depends on your team’s objectives and priorities. Broadly speaking, smaller businesses in less regulated industries may find that EDR is a good place to start. But most organizations, especially in industries where compliance is a major concern, will want to opt for MDR or XDR.
For any client in the financial services space — or any business that handles a great deal of highly sensitive data — we recommend choosing a class of cybersecurity solutions that many industry leaders are calling MXDR (Managed and Extended Detection and Response). This approach offers all of the advanced capabilities of XDR technology with the professional guidance and oversight of a 24/7 monitoring team.
If you’d like to learn more, we’d love to talk about the options available on the market, and how you can make strategic cybersecurity decisions to protect your business from the full scope of today’s most advanced threats. Book your custom consultation today.