The abundance of endpoint security options today means it is vital to understand what each has to offer and if they match your organisation's budget and needs, and fit with your overall cybersecurity system. Among these myriad advanced endpoint security solutions, the two main forms most commonly utilised across industries are Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions and Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPP). Read on for a lowdown on the differences between these two solutions, how they work, and how to take full advantage of their potential.

What is EDR?

Endpoint Detection and Response systems are comprehensive solutions with many capabilities. These include recording and storing behaviours at the endpoint-system level, leveraging data analytics to detect suspicious behaviour, generating contextual information, blocking malicious activities, and suggesting remediation solutions to restore affected systems. Essentially, EDR works as a cybersecurity monitoring platform that combines elements of next-gen antivirus (NGAV) with supplementary tools to detect system anomalies and alert them in real time, alongside forensic analysis and endpoint remediation.

This recording of events and activities at designated endpoints and all workloads provides organisations with comprehensive and continuous visibility into the devices that connect to their network. By keeping tabs on everything that happens in these endpoints, from every file execution and modification, network connection, and binary execution, EDR enhances threat visibility on an organisation-wide scale.

What is EPP?

On the other hand, Endpoint Protection Platforms are integrated security solutions deployed directly on endpoint devices to detect suspicious activity, block file-based malware attacks, and respond to dynamic security alerts and incidents. As a solution that works on the device level, EPPs generally combine the capabilities of anti-malware, antivirus, intrusion prevention, personal firewalls, data encryption, and data loss prevention into one package.

Traditional EPP solutions are designed to be preventative in nature, which means it follows a signature-based approach when identifying threats. More recent EPP solutions are far more advanced in comparison and leverage a broader range of detection techniques.

EPPs work by identifying attackers that manage to overcome traditional endpoint security. Moreover, they bring together complex security stacks, enhance data sharing, and improve the analytics that support detecting malicious activities. A key development in these solutions is the rise of cloud-native EPPs, capable of harnessing a single lightweight agent that can monitor all endpoints and provide globally shared data on the most up-to-date approaches of hackers. Access to such data enhances the effectiveness of detecting attacker behaviours.

Differentiating between EDR and EPP

The following summarises the key aspects where EDR and EPP differ as an endpoint security solution:

EDR;

● Focuses on detection.

● Active threat detection.

● Enables swift response to compromise indicators.

● Aggregates activity data from numerous endpoints.

● Facilitates active response and incident containment.

● Provides context across many endpoint devices.

EPP;

● Focuses on prevention.

● Passive threat detection.

● Mainly blocks known threats but can also prevent some unknown ones.

● Limited visibility into endpoint activity.

● Designed for first-level threat prevention.

● Safeguards endpoints via isolation.

Combining EDR and EPP

EPP is more geared towards being a first life of defence by blocking known threats, while EDR is the next and more advanced layer of security capable of threat hunting, forensic analysis of intrusions, and swift response to attacks. The increasing convergence between the markets of these products can make it difficult for organisations to decide which is the better choice for enhancing their cyber resilience.

As such, with the growing drive among businesses looking for an all-in-one solution that can do both active and passive endpoint protection, EDR providers are increasingly incorporating aspects of EPP into their products. At the same time, EPP providers are also following suit by integrating basic EDR functionality into their solutions. This means that the mainstream EPP market now addresses many of the traditional use cases of EDR, such as searching across endpoint devices for indicators of compromise.

Conclusion

While SMBs increasingly turn to EDR solutions for more advanced endpoint protection, they tend to lack the resources to get the most out of it. This is because using its many features is resource- and labour-intensive to the point that it requires the attention of dedicated security teams.

That said, since more EPPs are now rolling out with basic EDR features, those currently using an EPP solution may want to consult with their vendor, ask about new planned features, and review their in-house capabilities. This is a good starting point for improving cybersecurity posture and maximising the benefits of more sophisticated EDR-type functionality.

Simplify your endpoint security improvement process with GROUP8's offensive-inspired cybersecurity services in Singapore. As a leading cybersecurity solutions provider, you can rely on our robust cybersecurity ecosystem to protect your organisation against known and emerging threats. To learn more about our extensive and effective solutions, including network security, data loss prevention, incident response, and vulnerability assessment in Singapore, contact us at hello@group8.co any time.