EDR and MDR - Essential Security Benefits

With the continuing shift to the cloud and increasing cyber-attacks targeting CPA agencies, the cybersecurity landscape is changing in a way that requires proactive protection. That means firms must find solutions that work around the clock to monitor, detect, and respond to threats.

The two main ways to do this—endpoint detection and response (EDR) and managed detection and response (MDR)—have undergone significant changes in recent years. Here at Cetrom, we've examined these changes and will compare them to see how they work and if they can overlap to create a solid, proactive protection strategy for accounting firms.

Benefits and Challenges of Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

EDR is centered around endpoints—any physical device at the endpoint of a network connection. Smartphones, desktops, laptops, servers, and more are endpoints. EDR can detect potential breaches, analyze them, and take remedial action if necessary. EDR solutions provide endpoint visibility and the ability to detect potentially unknown threats at endpoints.

EDR agent software is deployed across network endpoints to monitor system activities. There are many approaches to detecting threats for EDR. Some detect locally on the endpoint, some forward all recorded data to an on-premises control server, and some upload the recorded data to a cloud resource for detection and inspection. Many EDR solutions take a hybrid approach.

The main differentiator between EDR and other detection and response solutions is the focus on endpoints and endpoint security. Endpoints are the possible entry points for threat actors.

EDR takes a proactive approach to cybersecurity by continuously collecting data from endpoint devices and analyzing it in real-time. It differs from traditional antivirus software, which relies on signature-based detection methods. Instead, EDR utilizes more advanced analytics and, increasingly, AI-driven algorithms to identify suspicious behavior and potential security breaches. This proactive approach allows organizations to detect threats that may go unnoticed by traditional security solutions. 

Additional benefits of EDR include:

• Real-time threat detection and response capabilities, reducing the dwell time of threats within the network.
• Automated response actions enhance the efficiency of security teams and reduce manual workload.
• Enhanced visibility and insight into endpoints, allowing for proactive threat detection.
• Behavioral protection and contextualization to identify anomalous activities and patterns.
• Rapid remediation and breach investigation capabilities, minimizing the impact of security incidents.

While EDR offers significant advantages, it also presents certain limitations. These include constraints in addressing modern attack vectors, a narrow scope confined to endpoint breaches, and the growing demand for broader security capabilities. 

Additionally, EDR requires continuous monitoring and analysis of endpoint data, which can generate a large volume of information to manage. 

False positives can also occur, wasting time and resources if not adequately addressed. As a result, integration with other security tools may be necessary for comprehensive threat detection and response.

Benefits and Challenges of Managed Detection and Response (MDR) 

MDR is a managed cybersecurity service that provides continuous threat monitoring, detection, and response. It represents the evolution of EDR, offering comprehensive security as a service. MDR utilizes forensics-level analysis with insight data from an EDR tool to respond proactively to threats. If a threat is detected, MDR can proactively shut down a server without human intervention. Because reaction times go from minutes to milliseconds, MDR ensures a rapid response to neutralize threats before they significantly impact an organization. 

CPA firms and other organizations see the benefits of MDR resources as an additional protection beyond EDR alone. While there is an overlap between EDR and MDR, they are not the same.

The latter usually leverages human cybersecurity expertise, often on top of an EDR solution. MDR enhances threat detection, incident response, and overall security posture. Other significant benefits of MDR include:

• Broad Visibility Across the Security Environment: MDR services provide organizations comprehensive visibility across their security landscape. By monitoring endpoints, networks, cloud environments, and more, MDR teams make it difficult for potential threats to go unnoticed.
• 24x7 Monitoring with Human Response Capabilities: Organizations benefit from round-the-clock monitoring by dedicated security analysts with MDR. This human touch ensures that threats are detected and responded to swiftly and effectively.
• Managed Investigations and Guided Remediation: MDR services offer managed investigations and guided remediation, empowering organizations to navigate security incidents confidently. Skilled analysts assist in identifying the root cause of threats and guide remediation efforts to mitigate risks effectively.
• Cyber Insurance Advantages: Partnering with an MDR provider can also offer advantages in terms of cyber insurance. By demonstrating proactive security measures and leveraging MDR expertise, organizations may qualify for more favorable terms and premiums.
• Scalable Data Architecture: MDR solutions are built on scalable data architectures, allowing organizations to efficiently handle the vast amounts of security data generated daily. This scalability ensures that security capabilities can seamlessly expand as the organization grows.
• Log Data Collection and Correlation: MDR services excel in log data collection and correlation, enabling organizations to derive actionable insights from diverse security data sources. MDR solutions uncover hidden threats and patterns by correlating logs from various endpoints and systems.
• Workflow & Automation Integration: Integration with existing workflows and automation tools is a hallmark of MDR services. MDR solutions enhance operational efficiency and faster response to security incidents by allowing process automation.
• Vulnerability Scanning: MDR services often include vulnerability scanning capabilities, allowing organizations to proactively identify and address potential weaknesses in their infrastructure. This proactive approach helps prevent exploitation by cyber adversaries.
• Easier Compliance with Reporting: MDR solutions streamline compliance efforts by providing detailed reports and documentation of security activities. This simplifies the compliance process, ensuring that organizations meet regulatory requirements with documentation.
• Cloud Threat Monitoring: In an era of widespread cloud adoption, MDR services extend threat monitoring capabilities to cloud environments. By safeguarding cloud assets and applications, MDR solutions ensure comprehensive security coverage across hybrid environments.
• Human-Augmented Machine Learning & Custom Security Policies: MDR services leverage human expertise and machine learning algorithms to enhance threat detection capabilities based on an organization's specific systems and needs. Custom security policies can further tailor an MDR configuration to ensure targeted protection against evolving threats.

Despite MDR's many benefits, fully adopting it as part of a firm's cybersecurity toolkit presents some challenges. If you get EDR through a vendor, you will only benefit from MDR capabilities if their IT provider has adopted them. Consequently, many sound EDR solutions don't automatically extend managed response configurations out of the box.

Furthermore, implementing MDR can get expensive, and unlike EDR, it's not typically a setup that firms can independently set up and maintain. It's far more advisable to work with an experienced security solution provider who understands managed detection and response to make the promises of MDR become a reality for a firm. 

Conclusion

Cloud computing in the remote work era has reshaped the cybersecurity landscape for accounting agencies. Both EDR and MDR seek to address the challenges presented by bad actors amidst these shifts, but MDR is best suited for protecting organizations today.

Choosing a cloud provider that leverages both with an advanced layering approach to security is critical. Cetrom uses EDR and MDR at the managed local workstation and server level with a unique server resource model, minimizing the impact during a threat-management scenario so our clients can continue working as usual.

This is just one set of the many advanced cybersecurity products we employ to protect the CPA firms we work with. We are committed to giving you the best cloud-based experience, which means one that is secure. Cetrom is devoted to cybersecurity around the clock, so you don't have to be.

Please contact us to learn how our EDR, MDR, and cloud solutions can enhance your organization's security.