What is EDR – Everything You Need To Know In 4 Easy Points

Introduction

If you’re not from a technological background then there is a high chance that you have absolutely no idea about what is EDR and what its importance is in our emerging world. Through this article on EDR and its applications, we aim at making you more familiar with the concept and how to work with it comfortably.

1. What is EDR or ETDR?
2. Concept 
3. Functions of EDR
4. Endpoint attacks 

1) What is EDR or ETDR?

EDR – Endpoint Detection and Response is also called ETDR – endpoint threat detection and response and its main function is to continuously monitor the device it is embedded in and battle or mitigate any potential cyber threats. The term ETDR – endpoint threat detection and response was coined by Anton Chuvakin in 2013 in Gartner. He did this based on the fact that ETDR was basically a tool for detecting and investigating malicious activities on a host/system.

The need for EDR has always been very high because of the ever-growing threat of cyber-attacks and due to increase in sophistication of such attacks, the need is climbing up the ladder at an ever higher pace 26% annually. The emerging technological beliefs and innovations are giving way to a very massive cybersecurity platform and EDR lies at the very top of this list of anti-malware developments.

2) Concept 

The basic underlying principle behind the working of EDR software is to protect endpoint which is the hardware components of a device from real-time cyber threats and attacks. The process starts by collecting data from the respective endpoints and then further analyzing it to make sure that any unusual or unnecessary activity is not taking place, especially something that might cause harm to the device or its internal system. It provides protection against hacking attempts and theft of sensitive or personal data by cybercriminals.

The software gets installed by the user on their device and there on the device gets monitored continuously. Whatever data is gathered, is stored in a centralized database. The end-user gets almost immediately prompted whenever a threat is found so that necessary actions can be taken by the user to get rid of it. Every EDR performs its own unique series of functions and has its own set of capabilities. 

However, there are some functions that are common to all EDRs which include working simultaneously in both offline and online modes, responding immediately to real-time threats and attacks, increasing the transparency of the working of the system and database, increasing visibility, storing endpoint information gathered from the centralised database and malware injections. EDRs also create black and white lists equally and continually strives to integrate the system with other emerging technologies to increase the efficiency of the software and keep it updated as and when a software is detected.

3) Functions of EDR

• Monitoring endpoints and battling potential threats and prompting the user about the same 
• Analyzing the data to look for cyberattacks by anonymous cybercriminals 
• First, notify the user and then automatically responding to the real-time threats 
• Availability of forensics and analysis tools makes it all the more better to build up security and look for loopholes in malicious software that the system might come in contact with.

4) Endpoint attacks 

Any IT department manages hundreds and thousands of endpoint at any given time across its wide array of networks. The category of endpoints not only includes servers and desktops but also laptops and smartphones. Each endpoint can become the target of some sort of cyber attack and so the significance of ETDR is immense and the need of the hour.

Today’s antivirus software can detect and mitigate cyber threats but hackers are finding new and innovative methods to become low profile and attack anonymously. For example – some hackers embed certain applications that make it difficult for the system to identify and scan malware that might attack the system, so it becomes extremely important to build EDR according to the types of threats prevailing today.

After reading this article we hope you have a better understanding of what is EDR and its important applications and usage in the present world. We hope you found it useful and would even work with EDR software with ease in the future. 

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