When Antivirus Isn’t Enough: Endpoint Detection and Response

As a business owner, you are likely familiar with and utilize antivirus (AV) software to help protect your hardware devices from cyber threats.

While antivirus programs provide basic protection from threats, the technology has been relatively unchanged since its inception in the late 1980s and can easily be bypassed by today’s savvy cybercriminals.

Antivirus programs are not enough to protect you from advanced threats like ransomware. Ransomware works much differently than traditional viruses and can attack your data and hold them hostage with encryption. Ransomware attacks cost businesses nearly $20 billion in 2020 alone.

So how do you fully protect your business from cyber threats including ransomware and malware? While nothing is completely infallible, implementing an endpoint detection and response (EDR) solution can protect your company from advanced threats.

What is Endpoint Detection and Response?

Endpoint detection and response is a cloud-based continuous monitoring cyber software platform designed to find and mitigate cyber threats that have bypassed your existing cybersecurity measures.

Think of endpoint detection and response, also referred to as endpoint threat detection and response (ETDR), as a cyber threat “hunter” and antivirus, as a cyber threat “roadblock” or “obstacle.” Sophisticated malware like ransomware can overcome a roadblock or obstacle, so “threat hunting” with EDR adds an additional layer of cybersecurity. If a threat infiltrates your antivirus software, EDR takes over.

How Does Endpoint Detection and Response Work?

EDR software such as SentinelOne is installed on endpoints and records every file execution, registry change, network connection, and other activities in a central database. Every action taken on endpoints is monitored and recorded. Then, using machine learning, EDR provides real-time data and threat intelligence on and between the endpoints.

EDR investigates the entire lifespan of the threat. EDR will determine how the threat bypassed the initial cybersecurity system (usually the antivirus software), where it has been in the environment, what it’s doing now, and how to eliminate it.

Using this data, EDR contains the threat and prevents it from spreading throughout your entire network. EDR uses analytics to find patterns and anomalies in an environment including rare processes, strange connections, and related risky activities.

System administrators can access the data compiled by the EDR in a central dashboard, and users that have suspicious activity on their endpoint will be notified of the threat in real-time.

EDR Capabilities

While many EDR programs have varying security capabilities, they share key components and features. When searching for an EDR solution, here are key capabilities to look for:

Detection

Cyber threat and incident detection are critical to a successful endpoint detection and response program. EDR uses continual file analysis to determine if any malicious behavior is unfolding. When identified, an EDR solution will flag the file as suspicious so immediate action can be taken.

Containment

After detecting an issue, an EDR solution will immediately contain the threat. If left alone, the threat can spread quickly throughout a network, creating chaos, and potentially infecting and harming other endpoints. Quick containment can save companies thousands of dollars in lost revenue, ransom, and downtime.

Investigation

What sets EDR apart from traditional antivirus is its ability to investigate the cause of the threat, document its behavior, and then use that information to improve upon existing security protocols. For example, if the threat slipped through the front-line barriers, there is clearly a vulnerable point-of-entry in the network. The EDR will help you find that vulnerability and remediate it.

Elimination

An EDR solution will efficiently and effectively remove the identified threat and scan the network for similar suspicious files that may have infiltrated the system. Using compiled data and best practices in cybersecurity, the threat is eliminated, and preventative measures are put in place to prevent the threat from replicating.

Why EDR Is Important for Businesses in 2021

Cybercrime rose a staggering 300+% in 2020, most notably after the abrupt transition to a remote workforce in the spring. The increase occurred mostly at companies that were using antiquated antivirus software without an EDR solution in place.

With remote work extending into at least the first few quarters in 2021, it’s important to take proactive measures to reduce the risk of cyber threats and attacks. Even if your workforce isn’t remote, EDR can help keep your company endpoints safe from a cyber threat.

Originally adopted by large enterprise businesses, EDR is now recommended for businesses of all sizes to avoid and mitigate a cyber attack. An effective EDR can protect businesses from losing thousands of dollars in lost revenue and critical hours of downtime.

Everound and SentinelOne: Your EDR Security Team

Everound partners with SentinelOne, a national, leading EDR solution, to implement affordable endpoint detection and response programs for both small and enterprise-level businesses. Nearly all data breaches occur at endpoints, so having a proper EDR solution in place is critical to keeping your business operating at peak efficiency in a safe cyber environment.

As endpoint protection platform (EPP) experts, Everound can help your business implement a comprehensive EDR solution at a reasonable investment. Reach out today for a free consultation, and to learn more about how we can help keep your IT safe, so you can focus on your core business.