Over the last decade, endpoint security has had to evolve to keep up with the rapid pace of malware and ransomware development. The traditional ‘antivirus’ software is no longer useful, as modern malware can easily evade signature-based detection. Modern endpoint security solutions need to use a wide array of complex techniques to counter malware that is capable of morphing its signatures or hiding amongst legitimate system files.
As you explore the different endpoint security solutions on the market, you may come across several confusing acronyms, such as EPP, EDR, MDR, XDR, CWP, and others.
Although some solution providers may latch on to whichever acronym is trending at the time to describe their software, we’re here to describe the difference between the major endpoint security platform feature sets, based on generally accepted definitions.
Endpoint Protection Platform (EPP)
An Endpoint Protection Platform (EPP) represents an agent-based system that uses various technologies to defend an endpoint (desktop, laptop, mobile device, server) against known threats.
- An EPP may use traditional signature-based detection augmented with heuristic analysis to detect new and unknown threats.
- A ‘Next-Generation Antivirus’ (NGAV) may use features like machine learning, behavioral analysis, and sandboxing to detect malware that traditional signature-based systems could miss.
- Modern EPPs will employ a combination of real-time file and process analysis along with scheduled or on-demand scans.
- The EPP may include a host-based firewall or host-based IPS (HIPS) to block threats at the network layer.
- The EPP may include advanced features such as data encryption, application control, and USB device control to further protect the endpoint from threats.
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR):
An Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) package constantly monitors system processes to detect and identify suspicious activities. The EDR may be included as part of an EPP or it may be a standalone agent. In many cases, an EPP will include an EDR as part of an advanced licensing tier.
- An EDR is typically used for ‘threat hunting’ by providing information to a human analyst for review. Threat hunting is used to find threats that were not stopped by the initial defenses.
- An EDR may include incident response tools and workflow to help an analyst remediate threats.
- An EDR provides forensic data for an analyst to perform root cause analysis.
Managed Detection and Response (MDR):
Managed Detection and Response (MDR) is a combination of EPP and EDR that is optimized for use by remote security experts.
- Unlike other platforms, the MDR caters to ‘managed security solution providers’ (MSSPs) and the licensing will reflect that usage model.
- The MDR may provide advanced tools for cyber security specialists to use to find and remediate threats.
- The MDR may make use of workflows and scripts to allow for automated remediation of threats, file rollback, endpoint isolation, or escalation to human intervention.
Extended Detection and Response (XDR):
An Extended Detection and Response (XDR) platform can leverage data and telemetry from multiple security layers (such as endpoints, network, email, and cloud) to provide a unified view of the organization’s threat detection and response activities.
- The XDR can be deployed in-house for organizations with a large bench of security professionals but is commonly cloud-hosted for small and mid-size organizations.
- The XDR may have the capability to detect a threat from one vector (entry point) and dynamically trigger defenses at other vectors to prevent that attack from spreading. As an example, malware that is executed through an email attachment may trigger the XDR to coordinate defenses in the network, cloud, and endpoint layers.
- XDR by itself does not protect from threats; XDR aggregates information from your other platforms and allows you to act based on the unified data.
Cloud Workload Protection (CWP):
A Cloud Workload Protection (CWP) platform is a security package that is designed for threat detection/mitigation, visibility, and compliance management for cloud workloads (virtual machines, containers, serverless functions).
- Unlike an EPP, the CWP caters to the unique requirements of a cloud environment.
- The CWP may include visibility into cloud workload inventory, configurations, and security posture.
- The CWP can audit cloud resource configurations to ensure that they are compliant with security requirements and industry regulations (SOC2, PCI, etc.).
- The CWP can protect workloads during execution to prevent malicious activity or file tampering.
As you can see, endpoint security has become a complex industry with its own unique nomenclature. To understand which type of product you need to secure your endpoints, you will want to consider where you are installing the software and who will be responsible for security operations. Here are some factors to consider:
- If you are outsourcing your endpoint security, the MSSP you contract with will likely provide their own MDR/XDR/CWP software and will charge you a monthly subscription fee to include the software itself plus the managed services.
- If you are managing your own endpoint security but don’t have a dedicated cyber security expert on your team, you will likely not have much use for threat hunting. Therefore, a modern EPP with NGAV is likely all you will need.
- If you are managing your own endpoint security AND you have one or more dedicated cyber security experts on your team, then you will want to consider an EDR package in addition to your EPP software.
- Consider a CWP platform if you have cloud workloads to protect.
- Consider an XDR platform if you want to unify reporting across multiple network and endpoint security solutions, including email, web, DNS, etc. Note that tying together solutions from disparate solution manufacturers may take considerably more effort than doing so within a single manufacturer.
Navigating the diverse and rapidly evolving landscape of endpoint security can be challenging. Each type of endpoint security solution—whether it’s EPP, EDR, MDR, XDR, or CWP—offers unique benefits tailored to specific needs and environments.
At NIC Partners, we are committed to helping you find the right endpoint security solutions to safeguard your infrastructure. Contact us today to explore how NIC Partners can support your endpoint security strategy and ensure your organization remains protected against evolving threats.