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Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) is a security solution that continuously monitors endpoints for malicious activity, detecting suspicious behavior and enabling rapid response to threats like ransomware and advanced malware.

What is EDR?How it typically works?Common techniquesImpactFurther reading

What is EDR?

EDR addresses the limits of traditional antivirus by focusing on behavior rather than just signatures. It collects telemetry from endpoints, including processes, memory, and network connections, and uses analytics to detect suspicious activity. For SecOps teams, EDR provides both visibility and response capabilities. Instead of only blocking known threats, it highlights anomalies and gives analysts the ability to investigate incidents directly on affected machines.

How it typically works?

  1. Data collection: agents on endpoints collect real-time telemetry.
  2. Analytics: machine learning or rules analyze activity to identify suspicious patterns.
  3. Detection: alerts are generated when behavior resembles known attack techniques.
  4. Response: analysts can isolate, remediate, or roll back changes on the compromised system.

Common techniques

  • Behavioral monitoring: detects ransomware by spotting mass file encryption.
  • Threat hunting: analysts query endpoint data to find hidden attackers.
  • Rollback capabilities: restore files or registry keys after an attack.
  • Integration with SIEM: share endpoint data with broader monitoring systems.
  • Cloud-based EDR: leverages centralized analytics for faster detection.
  • Extended Detection and Response (XDR): expands monitoring beyond endpoints to networks, cloud, and email.

Impact

EDR has become a cornerstone of enterprise defense. It improves detection of advanced persistent threats, stops ransomware before widespread damage, and supports forensic investigations. However, EDR systems require skilled analysts and can produce large volumes of alerts if not tuned. For SecOps, effective EDR use means balancing automation with human investigation.

Further reading

Related topics

RansomwareMalwareSIEMIncident Response