In recent years, cyber security threats have become even more prevalent and damaging to businesses and other organizations. One reason for this is the increased dependency on smart devices and remote work. Any device connected to a network is a potential entry point for hackers. Every desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone used for work puts the business at higher risk.
Even the best antivirus software often cannot detect every type of cyber attack. However, EDR systems have become a viable solution in recent years. These systems actively monitor each endpoint in a network, preventing potential hacks.
Currently, EDR is the most comprehensive form of protection against manual hackers who fare better against software-based network security. If you’re not familiar with EDRs and how they function, this article will cover all the basics that you need to know.
What is EDR?
For those not familiar with the term, EDR means “Endpoint Detection and Response.” A combination of security software and strategy, EDR is unlike traditional antivirus software that depends on preset databases of malware threats to provide device security.
Instead, EDR systems like Carbon Black protect against Advanced Persistent Threats (APT), which can be either internal or external. While external threats are malicious by nature, internal cyber security risks can be imposed unwillingly by employees of a business or organization.
How Does EDR Work?
The primary strategy of any EDR platform is focusing on securing individual endpoints. An endpoint is any device that accesses a certain network, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and phones.
The core functions of EDR systems include:
- Detecting cyber security breaches in real-time
- Sending the monitored data to a central database
- Mitigating the threat at the endpoint
- Providing data to investigate the threat after mitigation
- Providing recommendations to prevent such incidents in the future
EDRs carry out these tasks sequentially, meaning you can actively make changes to your network security policy every time the system faces a new threat.
How Can EDR Protect Your Network?
EDRs are a hybrid of artificial intelligence and human interactions. Though computer networks and cyber security can be complicated, anyone business owner can oversee the operation of their EDR. The system makes it clear when changes need to be made to improve security.
EDRs can protect your network in multiple ways:
- Preventing security breaches at their source point without much delay
- Investigating the data gathered from the violation and coming up with new preventative measures to avoid similar occurrences
- Provide anti spyware protection not included in standard antivirus software
- Creating a local firewall for your network
- Provide full disk encryption to protect data even if a hack is not mitigated in time, preventing hackers from achieving their goals
- Filtering and approving safe application and software
What Can Happen Without EDR?
In previous years, only larger enterprises used EDRs due to the complicated installation required and the high setup cost. Now, people can purchase consumer versions of EDR at an affordable price but with certain differences in functionality.
If you’re serious about your network’s security, you may want to consider using EDR as opposed to standard antivirus software. Antivirus software can only read threats included in its database, meaning they are limited to malware. If a hacker attempts to hack into your device through a new technique, your device is fully exposed.
On the other hand, if you manage a company, you’ll want EDR to cover the large number of endpoints to your network. Without high-performing security software, breaches that lead to leaked customer data or massive financial consequences in the case of ransomware.
How Can You Ensure Your Network is Safe?
Aside from real-time monitoring and cyber security threat mitigation, another big advantage of having an EDRs is preventing network breaches from within. In addition to investing in EDR, consider the following preventative measures:
- Ensure that your network is strong and up-to-date
- Ensure that your network provider uses the best possible hardware to host the network
- Have a comprehensive cyber security protocol and share it with your employees
Investing in Comprehensive Security:
While antivirus software provides excellent protection against malware, it cannot provide the comprehensive protection that EDR software offers.
Not only does EDR secure your business data, but it protects sensitive information like financial data and credentials, personal communications, intellectual property, and more stored in your computers or smart devices.
