Endpoint detection and response (EDR) has become a hot topic in recent years. Businesses often have large information technology (IT) infrastructures consisting of dozens or even hundreds of devices. It only takes a single compromised device to wreak havoc on a business’s IT infrastructure. With EDR, businesses can protect against cyber threats by locking down all of their devices.
What Is EDR?
Also known as endpoint threat detection and response, EDR is an approach to cybersecurity that involves protecting each endpoint from cyber threats. Endpoints are devices. Each physical device that’s connected to your business’s network is an endpoint. Common examples of endpoints include desktop computers, laptop computers, tablets, smartphones, wireless printers and even fax machines.
Rather than implementing a cybersecurity strategy that covers your business’s IT infrastructure as a whole, you can use EDR. EDR revolves around individual endpoints. It’s an approach to cybersecurity that focuses on securing each endpoint.
Components of EDR
While there are different types of EDR, most of them feature a few basic components. Continuous monitoring, for instance, is a component of EDR. Endpoints are devices that are connected to your business’s network. Implementing EDR means that these devices will be constantly monitored. EDR solutions work by monitoring connected endpoints around the clock while looking for signs of cyber threats.
EDR systems will both collect and analyze data as well. They don’t just monitor devices. Rather, EDR systems are designed to collect data from these devices and monitor the data. There are on-premise EDR systems and cloud EDR systems. Regardless, all EDR systems can collect and analyze data for cybersecurity purposes.
It’s also worth noting that EDR systems can respond to cyber threats. If a threat is discovered on an endpoint, the EDR may remove it, or the EDR may quaratine the threat so that no longer poses a concern. At the same time, the EDR will likely send a notification to the administrator, informing him or her of the neutralized cyber threat.
While EDR systems are designed to work automatically for the most part, they support manual commands. Many EDR systems come equipped with cybersecurity tools. You can use these tools to further scan your business’s endpoints for potential cyber threats.
In Conclusion
EDR is a cybersecurity approach that focuses on endpoints. It involves the use of an on-premise or cloud EDR system. EDR systems will monitor all endpoints, collect and analyze data on the endpoints, and they’ll neutralize cyber threats.