Understanding Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

Laptops and smartphones have become extensions of ourselves, always within reach. With this constant connection comes the need for constant protection, so if you’re not already, it’s time to prioritise your online security.

Studies show that 90% of successful cyberattacks and 70% of data breaches target laptops and smartphones. These are known as entry point, or “endpoint,” attacks because it’s one end of a communication channel where the user connects to the internet.

Traditional protection measures are useful, but they’re limited when it comes to endpoint protection.

A VPN encrypts data in transit which is excellent, but it doesn’t actively detect threats. Antivirus software protects devices by identifying and removing known threats and is updated to defend against the latest malware and viruses. Firewalls protect by focusing on network traffic filtering, but even when combined, they can’t catch everything.

Cyber attacks follow recognisable patterns or use specific code signatures. Traditional security tools defend against these by comparing incoming data to a library of known threat information. There’s often a delay between when a new threat appears in the wild and it being recognised and added to the known threat database — a vulnerability cybercriminals love to exploit. Clever deceptions like phishing emails or “fileless” attacks that hide in a computer’s memory also bypass these tools easily. 

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) differences and why you need it.

EDR is a cybersecurity approach that continuously monitors devices for suspicious activity. It provides comprehensive endpoint visibility (network traffic and activity, file access, and user behaviour), threat detection, investigation, and response capabilities.

It uses specific algorithm technology to analyse device activity in real-time and can unearth even the most subtle signs of a cyberattack, like unusual file access or suspicious network traffic. 

EDR is superior to antivirus, firewall and VPN because:

• EDR catches threats that slip past or are unknown to traditional security measures 
• If it detects an attack, it responds quickly and takes action to stop it, minimising the time a threat remains undetected in a system
• It provides insights to understand how cyberattacks are targeting an organisation or device.

Why is Endpoint Detection and Response important?

The emergence of AI has been a major catalyst for vulnerability exploitation through increasingly sophisticated and targeted cyberattacks, and has empowered more novice hackers to get in on the action. Alongside this though, data processing and analysis technology advancements have enabled the development of more sophisticated cyber defence mechanisms to get one step ahead. 

Endpoint Detection and Response recognises that computers and mobile devices (endpoints) are a primary target for cybercriminals. It can identify the method or pathway a cybercriminal used to gain unauthorised access to a system or network, and pinpoint which devices or users were specifically targeted. This invaluable information is used to improve security and prevent future similar attacks.

EDR solutions rely on business rules or machine learning algorithms (or a combination of both) to generate insights that help understand an attack’s objectives and identify attempts to spread throughout the network (lateral movement). In the event of a successful cyberattack, EDR can help organisations quickly identify the root cause, contain the damage, and recover quickly from the incident.

The future of Endpoint Detection and Response

Cyber threats will continue to come more sophisticated and diverse. The future of EDR is evolving towards more integrated and intelligent solutions —advancements that will make EDR more powerful and accessible.

We can expect:

• AI and machine learning advancements for better threat detection and automated responses
• Integration with other security tools for a more holistic approach
• Cloud-native EDR solutions for better scalability and remote work protection
• Increased focus on user behaviour analytics to detect insider threats
• Enhanced automation in threat remediation to reduce response times.

Don’t settle for outdated security.

The Endpoint Detection and Response approach forms the backbone of Sapher’s commitment to providing proactive protection for individual users. Our first product, our browser extension uses the EDR approach and advanced business rules. It’s super easy to use, even for people who are not cybersecurity or technically minded.