EDR vs MDR vs XDR: Key Differences Explained

The threat landscape is growing and becoming more complex by the day, making it difficult for cybersecurity experts to keep abreast of the latest trends. But technology can strengthen resilience, helping teams stay several steps ahead of cybercriminals. In particular, implementing Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), Extended Detection and Response (XDR), and Managed Detection and Response (MDR) can prove invaluable.

IT and security leaders aren’t limited to one approach. MDR services often include EDR and XDR tooling, with the added benefit of human expertise, for a layered security strategy. This article outlines their differences and advantages, as well as how to choose the right solution(s) for your organization.

What Is Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)?

Endpoint detection and response (EDR) is a cybersecurity solution that continuously monitors endpoints for suspicious activity. These endpoints can include mobile devices, laptops, servers, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

EDR tools can also automatically respond to threats with pre-defined actions. Security teams can also see logs and alerts on individual endpoint devices, making remediation a more streamlined process.

Key EDR features include: 

• Continuous monitoring and logging
• Suspicious activity detection and validation
• Automated alert triage
• Actionable cyber threat intelligence
• Automated response that can include actions like rolling back changes and isolating a compromised endpoint

One of the main limitations of EDR is siloed visibility, because it only focuses on endpoints instead of threats that may exist in other parts of the environment. EDR technology also requires a skilled cybersecurity team to successfully manage, investigate, and triage alerts.

What Is Extended Detection and Response (XDR)?

Extended detection and response (XDR), much like the name implies, extends the scope of security analysis across the complete IT environment. This can include endpoints as well as email, cloud workloads, networks, and identities across hybrid cloud and multicloud environments.

Key XDR features include: 

• Cross-domain correlation, linking alerts and telemetry from disparate security tools into a unified timeline 
• Centralized visibility in a single console
• Intelligent, real-time threat analysis, prioritization, and recommendations
• Automated, rapid response and remediation support using artificial intelligence and machine learning for isolation, blocking, and more

Many older EDR solutions have expanded their offerings and matured into unified XDR solutions in recent years. However, even with these evolutions, XDR tools can come with limitations. For example, cybersecurity teams must navigate the complexity of integrating these solutions with their existing security stack, sometimes in multi-vendor environments. Much like EDR technology, XDR solutions can require internal or third-party experts to operate properly.

What Is Managed Detection and Response (MDR)?

Managed Detection and Response (MDR) is a cybersecurity service that partners businesses with dedicated security experts to provide 24/7 monitoring and rapid incident response. EDR and XDR are often core components of MDR, delivering AI-powered threat detection while seasoned analysts manage response and remediation around the clock.

MDR services extend your in-house security capabilities by providing an always-on Security Operations Center (SOC) that helps eliminate critical skills gaps. This human element ensures that alerts, including those from EDR and XDR tools, are thoroughly addressed while reducing false positives for your team.

Key MDR features include: 

• 24/7 AI-powered threat detection
• Automated threat management using Security Orchestration, Automation, Response (SOAR) technology
• Typically includes built-in Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) capabilities
• 24/7 managed remediation, including containment, systems recovery, and root cause analysis
• Expert-led threat hunting for proactive security that identifies subtle or emerging threats automated tools may miss

What Is the Difference Between EDR, MDR, and XDR?

EDR, MDR, and XDR primarily differ in their scope, response, integrations, and skill requirements. However, MDR providers can equip security teams with the capabilities of all three since they can leverage EDR and XDR, leaving no gaps.

Scope of Coverage

EDR provides visibility only to end user and server endpoints, while XDR offers multi-layer visibility across an environment for the full view of an attack path. MDR includes the management resources in addition to what EDR and XDR offers, providing a more holistic approach.

Response

While all methods offer automated response, MDR also includes human-led response with root cause analysis, threat hunting, plus complete remediation when an MSP is managing the endpoints.

Integration

All solutions can integrate with existing security tools, but MDR and XDR can provide centralized dashboards that take in and correlate data from different security products and environments. 

Cybersecurity Skills Requirements

To be effective, EDR and XDR can require extensive in-house skills. MDR, on the other hand, is a fully managed solution that relies on an external team of experts.

Choosing the Right Solution for Your Organization

The right solution for your organization between MDR, XDR, and EDR will depend on your budget, security goals, in-house skills, and vulnerabilities. 

Businesses may choose to exclusively use EDR/XDR when: 

• They have a skilled, in-house security team with 24/7 operations.
• They want to license the EDR/XDR technology but keep operations in-house.
• They have a simpler, less complicated infrastructure with fewer critical vulnerabilities.

Organizations should consider MDR when: 

• They have no or limited security staff in-house, or their employees lack advanced cybersecurity skills.
• They want to have predictable operational expenditures (OpEx), rather than larger capital expenditures (CapEx) for infrastructure and additional staffing.
• They want guaranteed, round-the-clock expert response. 
• They need support for threat monitoring, proactive threat hunting, or detailed reporting that meets industry or other regulatory compliance requirements.

Can EDR, MDR, and XDR Solutions Be Used Together?

It’s common for EDR, MDR, and XDR solutions to be used together for a multi-layered security strategy. Today, XDR tools usually include EDR, while MDR provides EDR/XDR capabilities in an even more comprehensive service that includes a 24/7 human security team. This combination provides a robust, proactive defense against incoming threats.

Strengthen Your Security Posture with a Consolidated MDR Solution

A consolidated MDR solution can offer full-stack protection and peace of mind for organizations looking for coverage beyond what EDR, XDR, or other cybersecurity tools can offer. TierPoint’s Adapt Managed Detection and Response (MDR) service alleviates your in-house tool and skills gaps with coverage across your environments, 24/7 remediation, and seamless integration with your existing ecosystem.

If you’re looking for human expertise paired with AI-powered detection, learn more about how Adapt MDR can secure your business and allow it to stay poised and resilient against threats.

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