Cyber threats are evolving
As cybersecurity threats evolve, your business’s protection and response need to adapt too.
Hackers have developed ways to evade traditional antivirus software, so businesses need to improve their cyber security to stay one step ahead.
EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) can do everything that traditional antivirus software can do, plus a whole lot more. While traditional antivirus programs only look for known viruses, EDR uses AI and analytics to catch previously unknown hacks by spotting suspicious behaviour.
With cyber attacks on the rise, EDR is an essential part of your cybersecurity.
Cybercriminals are using AI, so EDR uses AI to stay ahead
The National Cyber Security Centre’s January 2024 report found that “Artificial intelligence (AI) will almost certainly increase the volume and heighten the impact of cyber attacks over the next two years.” and that “All types of cyber threat actor – state and non-state, skilled and less skilled – are already using AI, to varying degrees.” This will further fuel the already increasing ransomware threat.
The NCSC states that “The impact of AI on the cyber threat will be offset by the use of AI to enhance cyber security resilience through detection and improved security by design.”
The UK has already experienced a dramatic increase in cyber attacks over the past few years and it is more important than ever to take steps to prevent a breach.
What is an endpoint and why are they important?
An endpoint is a device that connects to your computer network. This could be a smartphone, a laptop, a desktop PC, a server or a printer. It could also be a security system or a smart device connected to your network.
Remote working has led to an increase in off-site endpoints which can be harder for businesses to keep track of and protect.
Endpoints are important in IT security because, as IBM observed, “Various studies estimate that as many as 90% of successful cyberattacks and as many as 70% of successful data breaches originate at endpoint devices.”
EDR does more than traditional AV
Traditional antivirus and EDR have the same aim – to protect you from malware – but EDR is much more advanced and provides superior protection.
Traditional antivirus is reactive and localised to an individual device. EDR provides centralised proactive security that monitors and protects all devices on your network. This is important because hackers target weak links in your cyber security to get a foot in the door.
Traditional antivirus software works by checking files and their contents against attributes of known malware (which is why it is important to update AV regularly). It will only react if the file looks like something on the malware list. This means that antivirus software can only protect against known threats and is always one step behind.
Hackers have developed ways to bypass AV software, disguising malware to make it harder to detect. Fileless malware does not need to install a file on the target system, it runs using software already legitimately on the system. Zero-day attacks target security holes that the system developers don’t know about. Anti virus software does not protect against unknown threats, but EDR does.
EDR doesn’t just limit itself to lists of known malware. It monitors behaviour and identifies unusual activity that could indicate a threat. This gives it an advantage when faced with a new threat.
Traditional AV is like a bouncer standing at one door who checks names to see if they appear on a “banned” list. EDR is more like a security team who know what kind of suspicious behaviour to look out for and who monitor various entrances, exits and other locations, co-ordinating an appropriate response. A new face might get past the bouncer, but nefarious activity would alert the security team.
EDR is the more advanced solution to today’s sophisticated and evolving cyber threats.
The ability to spot dangerous activity means EDR can prevent attacks that would evade traditional antivirus software. EDR’s monitoring capabilities and data gathering allow it to put activity in context and identify abnormal behaviour.
As well as its more advanced detection methods, EDR has more effective response capabilities. When a threat is identified, it can be contained immediately and, if appropriate, any compromised files or systems can be rolled back to a safe, backed-up version. Malware can be isolated and examined, providing additional insight into threats and helping to identify areas where security could be improved.
MDR and XDR
MDR and XDR are cyber security solutions that incorporate EDR.
Managed Detection and response, or MDR, is a managed service where a business outsources the co-ordination and oversight of EDR (and other security measures) to a specialist team who can then liaise with the company to deal with any threats (or deal with them without company input, if preferred). Partnering with IT security professionals in this way can provide greater peace of mind and free up company personnel to work on other matters.
Extended Detection and Response, or XDR, covers a wider range of devices, tools and platforms than EDR. It monitors endpoints, networks and cloud services to provide an overview of everything, using additional threat markers such as suspicious traffic on the network and unusual cloud activity. This can provide a more comprehensive approach but can require more user input.
Staying one step ahead of cybercriminals
Organisations need security systems that can cope with increasingly sophisticated cyber threats if they are to avoid embarrassing and costly breaches.
With more and more devices (“endpoints”) connecting to business networks, it is important to have a security strategy that provides comprehensive protection.
Hackers have learned to outwit traditional antivirus software and cyber threats are rising.
EDR’s advanced detection methods provide immediate protection against new and emerging threats as well as known attacks.
With the flexibility to integrate into your existing security set up and the scalability to grow with your business, EDR is the cybersecurity upgrade your business needs.
To learn more about how EDR could protect your business and provide peace of mind, please contact us.
