What is Extended Detection and Response (XDR)?
Extended detection and response (XDR) is a security solution that takes endpoint detection and response (EDR) a step further. It provides a holistic approach to threat detection and response by collecting and correlating data from various sources across an organisation’s IT infrastructure, not just endpoints. This broader scope allows XDR to identify and respond to complex threats that might involve multiple systems or devices.
What are the benefits of XDR?
- Improved threat detection: XDR’s ability to analyse data from diverse sources helps identify sophisticated attacks that might not be apparent by looking at individual systems in isolation.
- Faster incident response: Correlating data from various sources allows XDR to pinpoint the root cause of an incident more quickly, enabling faster and more effective response.
- Enhanced security posture: By providing a unified view of security across the entire IT environment, XDR helps organisations identify weaknesses and improve their overall security posture.
- Simplified security management: XDR offers a centralised platform for managing and analysing security data from different sources, streamlining security operations.
How XDR works_
- Data collection: XDR agents are deployed on various devices and systems across the network, collecting security data like logs, events and network traffic.
- Normalisation and aggregation: Collected data is normalised into a common format and centralised for analysis.
- Advanced analytics: XDR utilises machine learning and advanced analytics to correlate data from different sources, identify anomalies and detect potential threats.
- Threat detection and prioritisation: Suspicious activities are identified and prioritised based on severity and potential impact.
- Incident response: Security teams are notified of potential threats, and XDR can provide insights and tools for investigation and response actions.
Use cases_
- Advanced threat detection: XDR can detect complex attacks that involve multiple systems or stages, such as lateral movement within the network.
- Incident investigation and forensics: By correlating data from various sources, XDR helps security teams investigate incidents faster and more effectively.
- Improved security operations: XDR simplifies security management by providing a centralised platform for data analysis and incident response.
- Proactive threat hunting: Security teams can leverage XDR to proactively search for potential threats across the entire IT environment.
Key components of XDR_
- Data collection agents: Deployments on various systems to collect security data.
- Data normalisation and aggregation: A centralised platform for processing and consolidating data from different sources.
- Advanced analytics engine: Utilises machine learning and analytics to identify patterns and anomalies.
- Threat detection and prioritisation: Identifies and prioritises suspicious activities based on severity and risk.
- Incident response tools: Provides insights and tools for investigation and remediation actions.
Microsoft provides a comprehensive suite of security solutions that work together to achieve an XDR-like approach:
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint: Provides EDR capabilities for endpoint protection.
- Microsoft Defender for Cloud: Secures cloud workloads on Microsoft Azure.
- Microsoft Defender for Identity: Analyses user behaviour and network activity to identify suspicious activity.
- Microsoft Sentinel: A cloud-native SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) solution for centralised security information and event management.
- Microsoft 365 Defender: Protects Microsoft 365 applications from phishing attacks, malware and other threats.
