EDR stands for Endpoint Detection and Response. It evolved from traditional antivirus (AV) solutions, which primarily focused on detecting and blocking malware. Unlike AV, EDR can take response actions to isolate compromised devices stopping threats before they spread across the network.

Darktrace / ENDPOINT is not an Endpoint Protection (EPP) or Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) solution. It can be used alongside an existing EPP/EDR to extend network visibility, detection and response capabilities to client devices. This functionality is especially valuable for organizations that have small satellite offices with no core switch to ingest network traffic from, or when organizations want to maintain network coverage for remote workers that are not connected to a corporate network or VPN.

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions continuously monitor and collect data from endpoints, such as laptops, desktops, and servers, to detect and respond to security threats. When a threat is detected, EDR can isolate the affected device, terminate malicious processes, and provide detailed forensic data to security teams for investigation and remediation.

Most organizations protect their endpoint devices with a form of endpoint protection platforms (EPP) or EDR solution that relies on historical attack data (such as signatures and detection rules) to identify and neutralize threats. While this is foundational to any endpoint security strategy, this approach only detects ‘known bad’ behavior on endpoint devices. It does not detect insider threats, network-based threats, or attacks that have never been seen before, such as zero-day exploits.

As cyber threat actors evolve their techniques, they are capable of evading traditional EPP and EDR. Alone, these systems are no longer enough to defend against modern threats. Endpoint security solutions now combine EPP and EDR with advanced prevention, posture strengthening, and post-attack recovery, creating a more comprehensive defense against sophisticated attacks.

The impact on system performance depends on the solution’s architecture and how it processes security data. Some traditional antivirus programs rely on frequent signature-based scans, which can slow down devices. Modern EDR and AI-driven endpoint security solutions are designed to run efficiently in the background, using cloud-based analytics and lightweight agents to minimize performance degradation. However, poorly optimized solutions or aggressive scanning settings can still impact system speed. Some EDR agents may also utilize memory differently depending on the operating system they are deployed to.

AI-based endpoint security enhances traditional security by using machine learning and behavioral analysis to detect previously unknown threats. Unlike signature-based antivirus, which relies on known malware patterns, AI-driven solutions can identify anomalies and suspicious behaviors that may indicate an attack. This approach helps detect zero-day threats, fileless malware, and sophisticated cyber-attacks that evade traditional defenses.

Darktrace / ENDPOINT works alongside your existing EDR to learn what is normal behavior for your organization, detecting any network activity on your endpoints that could cause business disruption without relying on signatures, rules or threat intelligence. Our Self-Learning AI contextualizes every network threat affecting your endpoints and autonomously responds to both known and previously unseen threats in real time, taking the most effective course of action and avoiding business disruption.

XDR extends the capabilities of EDR beyond just endpoints by integrating security data from multiple sources, such as networks, email, cloud environments, and identity management systems. While EDR focuses solely on detecting and responding to threats at the endpoint level, XDR correlates telemetry across different security layers to provide a broader view of threats. This unified approach helps security teams detect complex attacks faster and respond more effectively.

AI is used in endpoint security to enhance threat detection, automate responses, and reduce the burden on security teams. AI-driven solutions can:

• Identify and block new and evolving threats without relying on known signatures.
• Detect subtle behavioral anomalies that indicate potential cyber-attacks.
• Automate incident triage, reducing response times and improving efficiency.
• Minimize false positives by distinguishing between normal and malicious activity.

Managed Detection and Response (MDR) is a service that provides threat monitoring, detection, and response, often using EDR or XDR technology. The key differences are:

• EDR is a software tool that is deployed on client devices. It can be configured and managed by an in-house team or by a third party security provider.
• MDR is a managed service where security experts handle threat detection and response on behalf of the organization, making it ideal for businesses without dedicated security teams.

 

EDR focuses on detecting and responding to cyber threats that compromise endpoints. It helps stop malware, ransomware, and other attacks.

DLP is designed to prevent sensitive data from being leaked, lost, or stolen. It enforces policies to block unauthorized file transfers, encrypt sensitive information, and prevent data exfiltration via email, cloud storage, or removable media. Some EDR solutions may have DLP capabilities as part of their offering.

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) and EDR serve different functions:

• EDR provides real-time detection and response at the endpoint level. It actively mitigates threats by isolating infected devices and blocking malicious activity.
• SIEM aggregates log data from various sources (endpoints, firewalls, applications). It is primarily a forensic and compliance tool, helping teams analyze incidents rather than directly responding to them.

Endpoint security tools include software and solutions that protect devices from cyber threats. These tools include:

• Antivirus (AV): Traditional malware detection based on known signatures.
• Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Advanced threat detection and response at the device level.
• Extended Detection and Response (XDR): Broader security integration across multiple data sources.
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Prevents unauthorized access and transfer of sensitive data.
• Mobile Device Management (MDM): Secures and manages mobile endpoints in an organization.
• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): Restricts endpoint access based on strict identity verification.

Network Detection and Response (NDR) and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) serve different but complementary roles in cybersecurity:

•EDR focuses on protecting individual endpoints (laptops, servers, workstations) by detecting and responding to threats at the device and process level. It provides real-time monitoring, behavioral analysis, and automated threat response.
• NDR monitors network traffic to detect threats that move laterally across an environment. It uses AI and anomaly detection to identify suspicious activity, such as unauthorized data transfers, unusual communication patterns, or advanced persistent threats (APTs).

While EDR is effective against endpoint-based attacks like malware and ransomware, NDR provides visibility into threats that bypass endpoint security, such as network-based intrusions and fileless attacks. Organizations often use both solutions together for a more comprehensive security approach.