Is Managed XDR for You? Here's How to Decide

Did you know that on average there are 130 cybersecurity attacks per organization, per year?

When it comes to managed detection and response, there are a lot of options out there. And, if you're like most businesses, you may wonder what the best option is for your technology needs.

Is managed XDR right for you? What are the different types of XDR services?

Read on for the ultimate guide to managed XDR to find out!

What Is XDR?

Extended Detection and Response (XDR) is a security platform that uses signature-based and behavioral detection methods to:

• Identify
• Investigate
• Respond to security incidents

XDR systems detect and respond to known and unknown threats in real time. In addition, unlike traditional security solutions, which can only detect and respond to one type of threat, XDR systems are multi-layered.

As a result, they can provide comprehensive protection against various threats. One of the key benefits of XDR is its ability to detect and correct incidents before they cause harm quickly.

Additionally, XDR systems can provide valuable insights into an organization's security posture, helping to identify areas for improvement. As the threat landscape continues evolving, XDR systems become essential to any security strategy.

Why the XDR Market Exists

XDR solutions help organizations with potential security incidents by:

• Detecting
• Investigating
• Responding

Unlike traditional security solutions that focus on preventative measures, XDR takes a more proactive approach by providing visibility into suspicious activity and offering tools for conducting forensic investigations. This solution is becoming increasingly necessary as attackers become more sophisticated and organizations face more pressure to comply with regulations.

As a result, the extended detection and response market is set to grow to $6.7 billion, according to Allied Market Research.

There are several factors driving this growth, including:

• The increasing demand for advanced threat detection and response capabilities
• The need for better visibility into network activity
• The desire to improve incident response times

Furthermore, with the continued rise of cyber-attacks, it's clear that XDR solutions are here to stay.

Technologies Involved with Extended Detection and Response

Extended detection and response (XDR) is a type of security solution that uses various technologies to detect, respond to, and prevent cyberattacks. By integrating several security tools and processes, XDR provides a more comprehensive view of an organization's security posture. As a result, XDR solutions are often used to supplement traditional security solutions, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems.

Some common technologies involved in XDR include:

• Data collection and analysis tools
• Threat intelligence platforms
• Incident response automation

Data collection and analysis tools gather data from multiple sources, such as:

• Endpoints
• Networks
• Applications

This data is then analyzed for signs of anomalous activity that may indicate a security incident.

Threat intelligence platforms provide analysts with information about known and emerging cyber threats. This information can be used to improve the organization's detection capabilities.

Finally, incident response automation helps to streamline the process of responding to incidents by automating repetitive tasks, such as malware removal and user notification.

By combining these technologies, organizations can detect and respond to cyberattacks more effectively. Additionally, XDR can help reduce the workload of security analysts by automating many common tasks. As a result, XDR is becoming an increasingly popular choice for organizations looking to improve their cybersecurity posture.

EDR

EDR is a technology that helps to detect and respond to endpoint threats.

Endpoint threats are a type of cyber attack that targets devices such as:

• Laptops
• Computers
• Smartphones
• Tablets

These devices are often referred to as "endpoints" because they are the end point of a network. Endpoint threats can take many forms, but they all share one common goal: to gain access to the data on the device.

One of the most common endpoint threats is malware. Malware is a type of software designed to damage or disable a computer system. Hackers can install it on a device without the user's knowledge or consent and spread it from one device to another.

Other common endpoint threats include phishing attacks and Denial of Service (DoS) attacks. Phishing attacks attempt to trick users into revealing their personal information, such as passwords or credit card numbers. DoS attacks overload a system with traffic, making it difficult or impossible for legitimate users to access the system.

Endpoint detection and response software are typically used with other security technologies, such as antivirus and firewall protection. EDR uses various methods to detect threats, including:

• Heuristics
• Signatures
• Behavioral analytics

Once EDR detects a threat, it can help to contain and remediate the threat. EDR is an integral part of any security strategy, as it can help to identify and respond to threats quickly.

There are a variety of vendors that offer EDR solutions, and each solution has its strengths and weaknesses. As such, it is important to carefully evaluate each solution to ensure that it meets your organization's needs.

In addition, EDR is a rapidly evolving field, and engineers are constantly developing new solutions. As such, it is important to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in EDR to protect your organization against the latest threats.

EPP

Another key component of XDR is an endpoint protection platform (EPP).

While both EPP and EDR systems are designed to protect networks from malicious activity, there are several key differences between the two.

EPP systems focus on prevention, using a variety of techniques such as anti-virus software and firewalls to keep threats from gaining access to the network.

In contrast, EDR systems are designed to detect and respond to threats that have already infiltrated the network. EDR systems generate large amounts of data, which is then analyzed by security teams in order to identify trends and malware patterns. 

SIEM

SIEM (security information and event management) is a technology that consolidates log data from multiple security products into a central location for review and analysis. This data can include anything from firewall logs to user activity data.

SIEM platforms typically offer real-time event monitoring and the ability to run historical reports. To be effective, SIEM solutions must be able to normalize and correlate data from various sources. As such, they often come with built-in or customizable rule sets that help to identify potential security incidents.

While SIEM can be a valuable tool for security teams, it is important to note that it can sometimes generate a high volume of false positives. As a result, it is often used in conjunction with other technologies, such as XDR.

Like SIEM, XDR solutions collect and analyze data from multiple security products. However, they also use machine learning algorithms to help identify anomalies and potential threats.

In addition, XDR platforms typically offer broader coverage than SIEM, including:

• Support for email
• Endpoints
• Networks

By combining the capabilities of SIEM and XDR, organizations can more effectively detect and respond to security incidents.

NDR

Early detection and response are essential in protecting your business from cyberattacks. That's why more and more companies are turning to XDR solutions that combine multiple security technologies, including network detection and response (NDR).

NDR solutions are designed to provide visibility into all company network activity, both internal and external. In addition, they use various techniques to detect unusual or suspicious activity, including:

• Data collection
• Analysis
• Correlation

Once NDR detects suspicious activity. it can take automated actions to contain the threat and prevent further damage. By combining the power of multiple security technologies, XDR solutions offer a more comprehensive approach to detecting and responding to cyber threats.

Defining XDR

XDR is a type of threat prevention to identify and block malicious activity that uses a combination of:

• Signature-based detection
• Behavioral analytics
• Machine learning

XDR systems provide a more comprehensive defense against modern cyber threats. But, first, let's look at a few defining features of XDR services.

Block Attacks with Threat Prevention

Traditional security solutions such as firewalls and antivirus software are no longer sufficient to protect against today's sophisticated attackers. Instead, XDR provides a multi-layered defense to detect and block known and unknown threats.

XDR systems continuously monitor network traffic and user activity for suspicious behavior. If an attack is detected, the system will take action to prevent the malware's spread or contain the damage.

XDR can be used to protect against a variety of threats, including:

• Malware
• Phishing attacks
• Data breaches

In addition, using multiple detection methods, XDR systems can provide a more effective defense than any single solution. As a result, XDR is an integral part of any organization's cybersecurity strategy.

Broad Visibility and Contextual Understanding

XDR combines data from multiple security products and provides a more holistic view of an organization's security posture. Unlike traditional security solutions focusing on a single security aspect, XDR provides visibility into all aspects of an organization's security posture. This includes activities from:

• Network
• Endpoint
• User
• Application

By providing this broad visibility, XDR helps organizations to detect and respond to threats more effectively.

In addition, XDR also provides contextual understanding by correlating data from multiple sources. This helps organizations to quickly identify the root cause of incidents and take the appropriate remediation steps. 

Data Retention 

XDR solutions typically retain data for a longer period of time than SIEM solutions. This is because XDR systems are designed to provide visibility into past incidents and help with root cause analysis.

This data can be used to improve an organization's security posture by identifying trends and developing new detection rules.

Integrated Threat Intelligence 

XDR security systems collect data from multiple sources, including:

• Endpoints
• Networks
• Email systems

This data is then analyzed in real-time to identify potential threats.

As a result, XDR systems are designed to provide a high level of visibility into all aspects of an organization's cybersecurity posture.

In addition, XDR systems typically include features such as:

• Automatic incident response
• Threat intelligence sharing

As organizations increasingly face complex cybersecurity threats, XDR systems are essential to their defense strategy.

Improve the ROI of Current and Future Security Investments

First, it helps to improve the ROI of current security investments. Organizations can save money on licensing and hardware costs by integrating multiple tools into one platform.

Second, XDR helps improve detection and response times by reducing the need for manual data correlation.

Third, XDR provides visibility into the entire attack surface, making it easier to identify and defend against threats.

Simplify Investigation and Response to Known and Unknown Threats

XDR systems are comprehensive, covering everything from known malware to sophisticated zero-day attacks. By collecting data from multiple points in the network, XDR systems can provide a complete picture of what is happening in a system and make it easier to identify and respond to threats.

XDR can also help simplify incident response by automating many of the tasks involved in investigation and containment. As attacks become more sophisticated and challenging to detect, XDR will likely become essential to any organization's security posture.

How XDRs Are Different From Other Security Tools

XDR is designed to provide visibility into all aspects of an organization's IT environment and to detect and respond to threats as quickly as possible. Here's a closer look at how XDRs differ from other security tools.

Most security tools focus on a specific area of an organization's IT infrastructures, such as email or network traffic. XDRs, on the other hand, provides a unified view of all activity across an organization's entire IT environment. This allows XDRs to detect threats that might otherwise go unnoticed by other security tools.

XDRs also can automatically respond to threats in real-time. Integrating XDRs with other security systems, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems, makes this possible. When a threat is detected, XDRs can take action to contain the threat and prevent it from spreading.

While XDRs offer many advantages over traditional security tools, they are also more complex and expensive. As a result, they are not suitable for every organization. However, XDRs can be a valuable addition to their security arsenal for organizations that are serious about cybersecurity.

Types of XDRs

XDR is a security strategy that aims to give organizations a more comprehensive view of their security posture. XDR systems collect data from multiple sources and use machine learning to detect and respond to threats.

There are three main types of XDR:

• Network-based
• Host-based
• Cloud-based

Network-based XDRs are deployed on an organization's perimeter and collect data from network traffic. Host-based XDRs are installed on individual endpoints and collect data from host activity. Cloud-based XDRs are hosted in the cloud and collect data from cloud-based applications and services.

Each type of XDR has its strengths and weaknesses, so organizations should choose the type that best fits their needs.

Focus On Threat-Centric Use Cases

XDR systems are designed to give organizations a more comprehensive view of their security posture. However, XDRs are not a panacea for all security problems. Instead, they should be used to address specific threat-centric use cases, such as data exfiltration or malware infections.

Organizations can get the most out of their XDR investment by focusing on these types of threats.

Detection

With the rise in sophisticated cyber threats, detection has become more important than ever. However, detection is often difficult, as it requires a deep understanding of the underlying threat landscape.

This is where XDR systems can play a vital role. By combining data from multiple sources, XDR systems comprehensively view an organization's security posture. This, in turn, makes it easier to identify and investigate potential threats.

In addition, XDR systems can help to speed up incident response times by providing access to real-time data. As a result, they are an essential tool for any organization that wants to stay ahead of the curve regarding cybersecurity.

Alert Triage and Validation

In the world of cybersecurity, XDR systems are the new hotness. These systems provide a comprehensive view of an organization's security posture by integrating data from multiple security solutions. However, XDR systems come with challenges, chief among them being the need to focus on threat-centric use cases.

Alert triage and validation are two key areas where XDR systems can make a real difference. XDR systems can help security analysts quickly identify and prioritize critical incidents by providing a unified view of alerts from multiple sources.

In addition, XDR systems can help to validate alerts by cross-referencing data from different security solutions. As a result, focusing on threat-centric use cases is essential for getting the most out of an XDR system.

Automated Investigations and Response

To effectively investigate and respond to threats, XDR systems must be able to focus on the right use cases. One such use case is the automatic investigation of suspicious activity.

By automating this process, XDR systems can quickly identify the source of a threat and take appropriate action. This not only saves time but also allows security teams to focus their attention on other important tasks.

Another use case essential for XDR systems is the automated response to threats. This includes taking immediate action to contain the threat and taking steps to prevent future attacks. By automating the response process, XDR systems can help organizations reduce their overall risk posture.

Threat Hunting

The collection of data drives effective threat hunting.  XDR systems can provide a wealth of data that can be leveraged for this purpose. However, it is important to focus on threat-centric use cases when using XDR data, as this will help to ensure that the most relevant information is being collected and analyzed.

For example, rather than simply looking for signs of malicious activity, a threat hunter may focus on indicators of compromise associated with a specific threat actor.

By doing so, they can more effectively identify active threats and take steps to mitigate them. In short, XDR systems can be a powerful tool for threat hunting, but it is important to use them correctly.

Why Do You Need Managed XDR

Cybersecurity is more important than ever. As the world becomes increasingly digitized, businesses must be diligent in protecting themselves from online threats.

One way to do this is through managed XDR. Managed XDR is a type of security service that provides comprehensive protection against sophisticated threats.

In addition to detection and response, managed XDR also includes features such as incident management, threat hunting, and post-incident analysis.

This makes managed XDR an ideal solution for businesses that want to stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity.

If you're looking for comprehensive protection against sophisticated threats, managed XDR is the way to go.

How Managed XDR Works

Managed XDR services are delivered through a network of security providers. These providers work together to deliver a complete solution that covers all aspects of detection and response.

The managed XDR platform is designed to provide visibility into all aspects of an organization's security posture. This includes data from on-premises, cloud, and mobile devices.

In addition, managed XDR services make use of machine learning and artificial intelligence to constantly improve the effectiveness of detection and response.

This makes managed XDR a powerful solution for businesses that want to stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity.

Start Securing Your Organization With XDR Today

If you're looking for a comprehensive security solution, managed XDR is the way to go. With managed XDR, you'll have access to all the tools and resources you need to effectively detect and respond to sophisticated threats.

In addition, managed XDR services make use of cutting-edge technologies, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, to constantly improve the effectiveness of detection and response.

Don't wait until it's too late, start securing your organization with managed XDR today.

Still not sure if managed XDR is right for you? Click here for more information on managed XDR services. Or, contact us today to speak with a managed XDR expert.