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With more and more companies adopting digital solutions to increase operational efficiency, companies must take measures to protect their endpoints and network from malicious players.

Network protection is a prerequisite for seamless operations. By combining Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and Network Detection and Response (NDR) solutions, organizations can actively monitor for threats and take timely action to keep their network safe.

What is Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)?

Endpoint Detection and Response, or EDR, is a security solution that focuses on protecting individual devices on a network. EDR solutions are designed to detect and respond to threats at the endpoint level to prevent attackers from gaining a foothold in a network. 

While EDR solutions are an important part of network security, they are not a complete solution. Organizations must combine EDR with other security solutions, such as NDR, to fully protect a network.

What is Network Detection and Response (NDR)?

A Network Detection and Response, or NDR, is a security appliance used to monitor and record network traffic. NDRs are often used to supplement intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPs) by providing a complete record of network activity for forensics and incident response. 

NDRs can be deployed as hardware devices, software applications, or cloud-based services. They typically include features such as the ability to filter and search recorded data, create alerts based on specific conditions, and export data for further analysis.

The Limitations of EDR

EDR solutions are great for protecting against known threats, but they have their limitations. Here are a few:

• Provides a Narrow Perspective on Network Security: EDR provides a limited perspective of an organization's system security. It only detects data breaches on a single endpoint and is blind to network activity outside that endpoint. EDR solutions can only really protect against documented attacks. They're not so good at identifying and stopping new or zero-day attacks.

• EDR has no control over remote networks: In recent years, many businesses have adopted remote work models, allowing employees and third parties to access resources over unprotected networks and mobile devices. EDR systems and security professionals cannot control these devices. Due to this, their security solutions are incapable of protecting all these endpoints or the entire network from malicious threats.

• Resource intensive: to monitor network activity for signs of suspicious behaviour constantly: Another limitation of EDR solutions is that they can be resource-intensive. This is because EDR solutions need to monitor network activity for signs of suspicious behaviour constantly. It can put a strain on system resources, which can impact performance.

• Finally, EDR solutions are only as good as the rules they are given. If an attacker finds a way to bypass the rules, then the EDR solution won't be able to stop them.

How can NDR overcome these limitations?

You can overcome these limitations by incorporating an NDR solution into your cyber security system.

• With NDR, you are protected against emerging malware variants.

• By utilizing artificial intelligence, NDR can identify new vulnerabilities in cyber security systems.

• It ensures that threats do not enter the network again by identifying their origin.

• It aids in the streamlining of incident response and threat-hunting processes.

• In a network, NDR is excellent at detecting malware. An NDR solution combines artificial intelligence and advanced technology to tackle threats effectively.

• NDR can create reports that show which users or systems are responsible for the most data transfer, identify potential bottlenecks, or track trends over time. This information can be used to improve network performance.

Why do organizations need both EDR and NDR for complete network protection?

Organizations are relying more and more on networked systems to get their work done. This reliance comes with the risk of attacks. To protect their networks, organizations must employ both EDR and NDR solutions.

EDR solutions focus on protecting individual endpoints, such as laptops, servers, and mobile devices. These solutions detect and block malicious activity at the endpoint level before it can spread across the network.

NDR solutions, on the other hand, focus on protecting the network as a whole. NDR solutions detect and respond to threats that have already made it past the endpoint protection and are now moving through the network.

EDR solutions provide the first line of defence against attacks, while NDR solutions ensure that any threats that make it past the endpoint protection are quickly identified and contained.

Together, these two solutions provide organizations with the comprehensive protection they need to keep their networks safe.

Conclusion 

Both EDR and NDR solutions are important for comprehensive network protection. EDR equips organizations with the ability to detect and respond to attacks, while NDR helps them prevent attacks in the first place. By leveraging both solutions, organizations can reduce their overall risk burden and keep their networks safe.