MDR vs EDR vs NDR: What Is Right for Your Business Needs?

Endpoint detection and response (EDR). Network detection and response (NDR). Extended detection and response (XDR). Managed detection and response (MDR). Managed extended detection and response (MXDR). If it seems confusing, you're not alone.

Threat detection and response landscape (D&R) continues to evolve. Finding new and better ways of wreaking havoc is a cyber criminal’s core function. So, it’s hardly surprising that the history of how to counter these security threats has been a chess match – attackers innovate and develop new methods, CISOs and their teams counter with more sophisticated defense tactics. Lather, rinse repeat.

The evolution of D&R methods, though... There are so many acronyms – all ending in “DR.” What the actual…heck? Let’s break down what each one means so you can assess which is best for you.

What is Managed Detection and Response (MDR)?

MDR refers to a set of cybersecurity services that strive to detect, analyze and help your team respond more quickly to threats.

MDR appeared in the mid-teens as a 24/7 detection and response service from MSSPs (or MDR-specific providers using specialized and/or proprietary technology).

A competent MDR solution will reduce false positives and offer greater visibility into emerging threats. MDR will also allow your security team to prioritize, investigate and remediate the most consequential threats.

Less sophisticated MDR can lead to false alarms and alert fatigue. More sophisticated MDR solutions may cost more in terms of ownership, integration with existing systems, and ongoing maintenance.

What is Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)?

An EDR solution runs on all your official endpoints, such as computers, servers, phones and IoT/ OT devices, continuously recording endpoint activities.

In the event of an attack or breach, EDR provides vital information about which users were online, what files or data were accessed and what services were used. Your security team can then quickly piece together these clues and respond to incidents.

Because 70% of successful data breaches originate at endpoint devices, endpoint detection and response is becoming vital to the cybersecurity defense ecosystem.

However, you need to factor in the limited scope of an EDR solution. As a result, it cannot detect zero-day vulnerabilities or sophisticated threats that emerge from outside your official network.

What is Network Detection and Response (NDR)?

NDR primarily captures north/south traffic (internet communications) to detect threats that bypass traditional firewalls, UTM appliances and NGFW appliances. East/west (LAN communications) traffic is supported by the NDR, but EDR is likely a more cost-effective solution for this use case.

The key benefit of NDR includes an extensive rule set that identifies threats based on network communications and SOC services, which offer rapid incident response and mitigation/remediation assistance. Modern NDR solutions also leverage machine learning models that recognize sophisticated threat patterns.

However, new and emerging work-from-home and bring-your-own-device policies often blur traditional network perimeter lines. Organizations with an extensive roster of remote workers may have little traffic on their defined corporate network, so NDR will have minimal visibility into what takes place outside this perimeter.

Critical Differences Between MDR vs EDR vs NDR

The most significant difference between MDR, EDR and NDR lies in how they detect threats.

For a moment, let us compare your cybersecurity defenses to the security functions of a protected military airbase. The airbase will likely have:

• ID card machines and biometric readers at strategic points to verify the identities of all people entering and exiting the airbase. NDR performs a similar security function, ensuring only authorized users and machines access your business network and identifying unusual activity.
• Security personnel manning key resources, capable of alerting the overall security team of an intruder or breach. EDR performs a similar security function, alerting your team of a potential breach or suspicious activity on a particular endpoint.
• A surveillance radar system that detects incoming flying objects much before a human with long-distance binoculars can. MDR performs a similar security function, continuously scanning for potential threats across your secure perimeter, aiding your security researchers with the necessary data and context for further investigations.

Ideally, a business will have MDR, EDR, and NDR solutions. However, due to budget and resource constraints, your business may need to suffice with one or two of these solutions.

EDR, MDR or NDR: The Ideal Solution for Your Needs

When choosing the right solution, consider your network traffic, threat history, industry and cybersecurity budget.

The following table offers a guideline for deciding which solution suits your business.

Optiv’s Fully Managed EDR and MDR Services

Not all businesses have the in-house skills and budget to manage a dedicated threat detection and response team. If you do not consider threat management a core part of your business, consider learning about Optiv’s EDR and MDR service offerings.

• Deep expertise: Our elite team already manages over 200,000 security incidents a year
• Advanced detection and response: We constantly evolve with industry advancements
• Lower total cost of ownership (TCO): Transparent service-based pricing with no extra infra, training or management overheads
• Dedicated customer support: To provide prompt answers to all your security questions

Check out our managed services or contact our team of experts to learn more.