7/10/24, 5:00 PM EDR vs. XDR: What Is the Difference?

| Microsoft Security

EDR and XDR explained

Every business must protect sensitive information and technological devices against an array of constantly evolving cyberattacks. Cybersecurity strategies
without a reliable system for detecting and responding to potential cyberthreats leave your organization’s data, finances, and reputation vulnerable to
malicious actors.

Endpoint detection and response (EDR) and extended detection and response (XDR) are two major branches of adaptive cyberthreat detection and
response technology that help security teams work more effectively. Implementing an EDR or XDR system within your security stack simplifies and
accelerates the process of finding and responding to suspicious system activity.

Endpoint detection and response

EDR systems are designed to monitor and protect individual endpoint devices at scale. EDR capabilities help security teams quickly find and react to
suspicious behavior and malicious activity at the endpoint level.

Endpoint monitoring
Instantly detect system anomalies and deviations by monitoring every endpoint device in real time.

Threat detection
Continuously collect and analyze endpoint data to consistently identify cyberthreats before they can escalate and damage your
organization.

Incident response
Quickly recover from security incidents, such as distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, to reduce the downtime and
damage they can cause.

Threat remediation
Address and resolve cyberattacks, cyberthreats, and vulnerabilities after they’ve been detected. Easily quarantine and restore
devices affected by malicious actors like malware.

Threat hunting
Proactively search for signs of sophisticated cyberthreats that may have otherwise been undetectable. Cyberthreat hunting
helps security teams identify and mitigate incidents and advanced cyberthreats in a timely manner.

Extended detection and response

XDR is a cybersecurity system that provides comprehensive cyberthreat detection and response capabilities across your security stack. XDR helps
teams deliver holistic approaches to cybersecurity with efficient protection against advanced cyberattacks.

Full visibility
Monitor system activity and behaviors across different layers of your security stack— endpoints, identities, cloud applications,
email, and data—to quickly detect sophisticated cyberthreats as they arise.

Automated detection and response

Discover and react to cyberthreats more quickly by configuring predefined actions to happen whenever certain parameters are
met.

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Unified investigation and response

Consolidate data from different security tools, technologies, and sources within one comprehensive platform to detect, respond
to, and prevent advanced cyberthreats.

Holistic data analysis

Create a centralized dashboard with security data and insights from different domains that help your team work more
effectively.

Security beyond endpoints

Protect against advanced cyberthreats that traditional security systems may not detect, such as ransomware.

The importance of EDR and XDR

As your organization grows and the workforce globalizes, visibility becomes more important for your security team. Mobile devices, computers, and
servers are crucial for most business operations—however, endpoints like these are particularly susceptible to malicious behaviors and digital exploits
that eventually become dangerous cyberattacks. Failure to proactively detect and respond to cyberthreats can have serious legal, financial, and
operational consequences for your organization.

EDR and XDR solutions are essential for developing an effective cybersecurity strategy. Using adaptive cyberthreat detection capabilities and AI
technology, these systems can automatically recognize and respond to cyberthreats before they can harm your organization. Implement an EDR or XDR
solution to help your security team work more effectively and efficiently at scale.

Similarities between EDR and XDR

Despite significant differences in scope and focus, EDR and XDR solutions share several security information and event management (SIEM)
capabilities, including:

Threat detection
Both EDR and XDR solutions are designed to give organizations the adaptive cyberthreat detection capabilities needed to
detect sophisticated cyberattacks.

Incident response
Either solution can quickly respond to cyberthreats after they’ve been detected to help teams reduce dwell times.

Real-time monitoring
Although the scope of protection is different, EDR and XDR solutions continually observe system activity and behaviors to find
cyberthreats in real time.

AI and machine learning

EDR and XDR solutions use generative AI technology to drive real-time cyberthreat detection and response. AI and machine
learning models enable these cybersecurity systems to continuously monitor, analyze, and react to various system behaviors.

Differences between EDR and XDR

While EDR and XDR solutions provide adaptive cyberthreat detection and response, several key differences distinguish each type of security system,
such as:

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Scope of detection
Whereas EDR systems are designed to monitor and protect endpoint devices throughout your business, XDR solutions extend
the scope of cyberthreat detection to include other layers of your security stack, such as applications and Internet of Things
(IoT) devices.

Scope of data collection

Compatible data sources are a major difference between EDR and XDR—EDR relies on data from endpoint devices, while XDR
can collect data from throughout your security stack.

Automated incident response

EDR solutions offer automated incident response capabilities for your organization’s endpoints, such as flagging suspicious
behavior or isolating a specific device. XDR solutions offer automated incident response capabilities across your security stack.

Scalability and adaptability

Since XDR systems can connect to multiple layers of your security stack, these solutions are easier to scale and mold around
your organization’s complex security needs than EDR systems.

Advantages of XDR over EDR

Organizations can implement an EDR or XDR solution to help improve visibility, detect cyberthreats more efficiently, and respond to them more quickly.
However, since XDR systems can connect to other security environments in addition to endpoints, XDR has several noteworthy advantages over EDR,
including:

Improved visibility across different layers of your security stack.

Enhanced cyberthreat detection throughout multiple security domains.
Streamlined incident correlation and investigation.
Better scalability and adaptability.
Protection against advanced cyberattacks, such as ransomware.

Choosing EDR or XDR

Digital security needs typically vary from one business to the next. As you determine which cyberthreat detection and response system is the right choice,
it’s important to:

Assess your organization’s security needs and goals.

Evaluate any relevant budgetary constraints.
Consider the resources and expertise needed to properly implement EDR or XDR.
Analyze the potential impact of EDR or XDR on your existing security infrastructure.

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Implementing EDR or XDR solutions

Regardless of whether you determine EDR or XDR to be the better fit for your organization, there are several things you should do as you implement
these cybersecurity systems, including:

Involving key stakeholders and decision-makers. Confirm your cybersecurity strategy aligns with your organization’s overarching goals and
objectives by incorporating feedback from business leaders throughout the implementation process.
Conducting proof-of-concept (POC) testing. Identify vulnerabilities throughout your organization with POC testing and gain a detailed
understanding of your specific security needs.
Assess your existing security stack. Develop a plan for how your EDR or XDR solution should fit within your existing security stack to help
streamline the implementation process.
Training and educating your security team. Familiarize your security team with new EDR or XDR systems as early as possible to reduce potential
errors and mistakes.

Use cases of EDR and XDR

EDR and XDR solutions can be used in different ways to optimize how your organization detects and responds to cyberthreats. EDR systems may be
implemented to optimize incident detection and response on the endpoint level and:

Decrease dwell time for endpoint-based cyberthreats

Efficiently monitor endpoint devices at scale
Improve endpoint visibility.

On the other hand, organizations may implement XDR solutions to:

Achieve comprehensive cyberthreat visibility.

Facilitate protection across security domains and environments.
Orchestrate incident responses across different security tools.

EDR and XDR solutions may also be used together to help protect your organization against coordinated cyberthreats, including:

DDoS attacks
Phishing
Malware
Ransomware

EDR and XDR solutions

Adaptive cyberthreat detection and response is a pivotal component of any truly comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. Consider implementing an EDR
or XDR solution to help your organization improve visibility and prevent cyberattacks more effectively.

EDR systems, such as Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, provide a scalable security foundation that simplifies endpoint security management throughout
your business. With EDR, security teams can monitor endpoints in real time, analyze data, and develop a detailed understanding of each individual device.

Depending on the risk profile, security needs, and existing digital infrastructure of your business, XDR systems, like Microsoft Defender XDR, may be a
better fit. Compared to EDR, XDR broadens the scope of security beyond endpoints to include real-time data from other susceptible environments, such
as networks, cloud platforms, and email. Implementing XDR systems within your security stack helps generate a more holistic view of your organization.

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