MDR vs. EDR: Choosing the Right Solution to Protect Your Business

Cyber threats are on the rise, but are you prepared? Popular solutions such as Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) allow businesses to receive 24/7 monitoring, protection, and incident remediation services. And CyberMaxx is here to help you decipher the differences!
Here, we compare MDR vs. EDR and explore which is better for securing your business.

What is Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)?

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) is a set of tools for real-time monitoring, data collection, automated response, and analysis. As the name suggests, it focuses explicitly on protection for the IT endpoints, including:

• Laptops and desktop computers
• Mobile smartphones and tablets
• Point of sales (POS) systems
• Network equipment like servers, routers, and switches

EDR is an upgrade from traditional endpoint controls like antivirus, which only spot and remove known malware. It also provides advanced threat detection, automated response, and attack analytics — making it more robust than network firewalls while offering more layers.

After collecting system logs, network traffic, and processing activity data, analytics tools can run algorithms to spot unusual activity, which is also known as endpoint anomalies. From there, security operation (SOC) teams can quickly respond, investigate, and remove potential threats, ensuring attacks don’t impact users or the operation.

How Does EDR Work?

EDR is powered by endpoint and activity data. It collects information nonstop, such as:

• Network traffic
• Endpoint access and logins
• Process runtimes
• File changes
• User activity and locations

EDR then deploys machine learning (ML) and behavioral analytics to find anything unusual. If suspicious or threatening activity triggers a “red flag,” it goes into investigation mode. From there, EDR notifies the SOC team with insights, including endpoints impacted, the type of attack, and its severity. This allows them to launch an investigation quickly.

Upon recognizing a risk, EDR runs an automated response by isolating infected endpoints and malicious files. It also removes that threat to reduce the attack impact and “blast radius.”

Benefits of Using EDR

EDR is an excellent solution that gives you peace of mind with solid security controls. Some of its many benefits include:

• Early threat detection: Teams can stay ahead of current and emerging cyber threats by immediately gaining analytics into endpoint activity and quickly taking action before they cause harm.
• Accurate incident investigation: EDR collects data 24/7, analyzes it with ML, and provides contextual alerts based on suspicious activity. This gives teams an increased understanding while investigating threats and cyber incidents.
• Fast, automated response: Automation helps reduce incident response time by automating key steps, like isolating infected endpoints and quarantining dangerous files.
• Detailed insights and behavioral analysis: EDR can detect threatening activity that antivirus systems might miss via ML and behavioral analytics, meaning it can spot known and unknown attacks.
• Continuous monitoring: EDR provides nonstop surveillance for enhanced endpoint visibility. You’ll always have eyes on your network for peace of mind, even if devices aren’t connected to the network.
• Centralized management: EDR offers central control over endpoint security in a single platform — letting teams track, investigate, and report activity on one interface.
• Compliance and audit readiness: EDR meets many compliance requirements by default by offering comprehensive endpoint activity logs and detailed threat reports.

What is Managed Detection and Response (MDR)?

Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services continuously monitor an entire IT infrastructure for potential threats and cyber-attacks. Upon discovering a breach, they rapidly respond to minimize the incident’s severity and impact on the rest of the network.

MDR combines EDR with other security tools for expanded capabilities — ensuring comprehensive visibility and more proactive threat detection. These include:

• Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
• Threat Intelligence Platforms
• Network Traffic Analysis Tools
• Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)/Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS)

By applying ML to analyze the network, teams gain accurate insights to help them prioritize incoming threats based on risk. They can also use automation to reduce response times.

How Does MDR Work?

Similar to EDR, a modern MDR service collects vast amounts of data to support its detection and investigation systems. In this case, however, it pulls information from the whole IT infrastructure, including network devices, servers, endpoints, and security logs. From there, it’s analyzed for potential anomalies and investigated.

The MDR provider quickly notifies the organization if a risk threatens the network. They’ll trigger alerts based on attack severity and potential impact on the business. MDR teams also contain the risk automatically by…

• Quarantining affected systems
• Deleting malicious software
• Changing compromised passwords
• Removing infected files

They’ll also run regular reports and security analytics to keep an organization proactive. These insights allow businesses to determine their current security standing and vulnerabilities to recognize any future hazards.

We should note that not all MDR providers offer the same capabilities. For example, while many anomalous activities can trigger an alert, many are false alarms based on simple contextual conditions. CyberMaxx analysts, however, used advanced ML, behavioral analysis, and threat intelligence tools. This helps not only reduce false alarms but also spot threats that traditional protocols may not have caught.

Benefits of Using MDR

• Proactive threat detection: MDR services deploy advanced threat detection and intelligence tools. This lets you stay ahead of emerging threats and defend against attacks that could go unnoticed by traditional monitoring solutions.
• Rapid incident response: Supplemented with digital forensics and incident response (DFIR) systems, MDR provides a rapid, automated threat response. Doing so minimizes the impact of cyber-attacks and reduces potential downtime.
• 24/7 monitoring: Because of its around-the-clock service, you always have eyes on your network, IT systems, devices, data, and users. No matter the time of day, threats can be discovered and remediated quickly for peace of mind.
• Expert analysis to improve security: MDR expands beyond the services and technology. You also get access to cybersecurity specialists who can examine risks and advise on controls. This lets you continuously improve your security program and reduce the risk of future data breaches.
• Cost-effective compared to in-house: MDR is a far more cost-friendly option because you don’t pay for a full-time team and buy all the tools yourself. By outsourcing, you get expertise and eliminate the cost of creating an in-house SOC team.
• Compliance: MDR services often have compliance experts to help navigate various industry regulations. They also provide continuous monitoring, incident response, and reporting features demanded by compliance requirements.

MDR vs. EDR: Differences and Similarities

Differences between MDR and EDR

When comparing MDR vs. EDR, the simplest explanation is that EDR is a tool MDR providers use. Some other differences include:

• Scope of security: MDR services cover the entire IT infrastructure, while EDR just focuses on endpoints.
• Detection technologies: EDR specializes in detecting endpoint threats via signature-based (known malware) monitoring, user behaviors, and sandboxing. MDR offers more sophisticated capabilities using ML, threat intelligence, and in-depth behavioral analysis tools.
• Incident response: While EDR can isolate and remediate threats at the endpoint level, MDR automates incident response throughout the IT network, including endpoints, servers, and cloud infrastructure.
• Monitoring: Both EDR and MDR provide excellent 24×7 monitoring capabilities. EDR, however, can’t cover as much ground due to its exclusive focus on endpoint visibility. MDR, on the other hand, tracks activity and collects data across the entire IT infrastructure.

Though it seems like selecting MDR vs. EDR is an either-or situation, that’s really not the case. They complement each other to create a layered and comprehensive cybersecurity program. MDR might be broad in focus, but providers couldn’t do what they do without a reliable EDR solution.

Combining MDR and EDR for a Complete Security Package

Pairing MDR with EDR offers a powerful way to spot and remove threats across the whole IT network. Here’s how MDR and EDR can work together to create a more robust security system:

• Broad-spectrum monitoring with endpoint-focused detection: Continuous monitoring is vital to obtaining data and threat insights, and MDR can do so across your whole IT network. It takes from various sources, such as network devices, servers, security logs, and, yes, EDR data at the endpoint level. This lets you track potential threats and events across your entire infrastructure.
• Threat investigation, analysis, and prioritization: EDR can evaluate abnormal activity at the endpoints and investigate whether it’s a legitimate or a false alarm. If validated, you can take action (quarantine, remove malware, etc.) When adding MDR, you can extend capabilities to assess threats and prioritize them based on how much they could harm the business. Combining these functions ultimately lets you focus resources only on the most critical threats.
• Comprehensive incident response: When an incident targets endpoints, your EDR will swoop in to save the day by auto-isolating and removing the threat. This system, plus MDR, provides incident response capabilities beyond endpoint-level remediation. MDR can also investigate and remediate threats across an organization’s servers, cloud infrastructure, and other network components.

This collaborative approach of MDR with EDR helps you proactively detect and prevent potential threats and reduce their impact.

Which Solution is Right for the Organization?

Factors to consider when choosing between MDR and EDR

Ready to choose either MDR or EDR for your business? Here are some factors to consider before investing in these services:

• Threat detection capabilities: How advanced do you need your threat detection capabilities? MDR, for instance, is far superior compared to EDR since it leverages a wider range of data sources. Additionally, MDR uses advanced analytics and ML algorithms to detect and respond to threats.
• Resource availability: Consider how much you have to invest. For MDR, you’re paying for many more resources, like a SOC team, advanced threat intelligence tools, and the infrastructure. EDR, on the other hand, doesn’t necessarily require an outside provider. You can deploy these tools yourself on individual endpoints — making it less expensive.
• Compliance requirements: What compliance boxes do you need to check? Some regulations and industry guidelines, for instance, require more comprehensive cybersecurity measures in place, for which MDR would be a better fit.
• Business size: If you have a complex IT environment and a higher risk profile, you likely need more robust security. In this case, MDR makes more sense due to its complete network coverage for monitoring. Alternatively, smaller companies that aren’t targeted as much can get by with EDR solutions.
• In-house expertise: Do you have your own security specialists on staff? Access to in-house cybersecurity teams makes EDR a great option, so you don’t have to pay for outside expertise. If, however, you have no SOC team or leadership in cybersecurity, MDR makes more sense due to its more comprehensive services and support.

The decision between MDR and EDR ultimately depends on your unique needs, resource capacity, and current security expertise. Carefully evaluate these options before making a purchase decision.

Eight Key Questions to Ask Before Making a Decision

1. How robust is our current cybersecurity infrastructure, and do we have existing tools and processes that can support EDR or MDR functions?
2. Do we have in-house cybersecurity expertise and the necessary resources to manage our own EDR solution?
3. Could we benefit from outside support and expertise offered by MDR providers?
4. Do we have compliance requirements that demand more comprehensive cybersecurity measures that make MDR a better fit?
5. What is the budget allocated for security?
6. How large and complex is our IT environment?
7. What critical assets and network segments must be protected? Are they in one place on the network or distributed across multiple endpoints?
8. How quickly must we detect and respond to cyber threats? Can we do so ourselves, or do we need additional resources to do so?

Bottom Line: Should I choose MDR or EDR?

Both MDR and EDR can protect your business from cyber threats through their own threat monitoring and automated response capabilities. EDR focuses on securing endpoints, like laptops, desktops, servers, and mobile devices, by providing unmatched visibility to take immediate action against threats.

Alternatively, MDR provides a more comprehensive solution. It can spot, investigate, and remove threats across your entire IT network by examining infrastructure data and analyzing it with ML algorithms.

Keep these factors in mind when choosing either solution:

• MDR offers more advanced threat detection abilities. It can access more data sources than EDR and uses advanced analytics and ML algorithms to detect and address threats.
• MDR a higher investment and more resources, including staff and infrastructure. You can deploy EDR, however, on individual endpoints for a fraction of the cost.
• Compliance requirements may require comprehensive cybersecurity measures that MDR can better support.
• MDR is often better for large companies with complex environments and higher risk profiles. Conversely, smaller organizations may benefit from EDR solutions.
• If you have in-house cybersecurity expertise, EDR solutions can offer more customization options and control. MDR, however, provides security services, tools, and knowledge in one package if you don’t have on-staff experts.