Sometimes, the only challenge is the absence of a good endpoint security management tool — a gap that Kaseya VSA can fill effortlessly. This new year, let’s approach endpoint security with a renewed focus.

What is endpoint security management?

Endpoint security management is the implementation of proper systems, procedures and tools to manage and secure all types of endpoints connected to an organization’s network. The definition of endpoints, in this case, extends to all devices, such as laptops, mobile phones, tablets, and even servers and IoT devices.

Compromising even a single endpoint can provide threat actors with easy access to a company’s private network and applications as well as workloads on the cloud, threatening business continuity. They can then use this advantage to conduct corporate espionage, steal confidential information or launch devastating cyberattacks, like malware, ransomware, phishing, advanced persistent threats (APTs) and more. To prevent this from happening, technicians use a variety of tools, like antivirus, antimalware, firewalls, intrusion prevention systems and endpoint detection and response (EDR), to give all endpoints multiple layers of security.

Implementing security policies, such as establishing strong password rules, granting access permission, managing patches effectively, designing an incident mitigation plan and remotely wiping data from devices in the event of theft or unauthorized access, also fall under the scope of endpoint management.

Why is endpoint security management important?

Endpoints are the outermost perimeter of a company’s IT infrastructure, the first line of defense and the prime security targets, which is why they need constant monitoring and protection. Endpoint security management makes all the components and policies that go towards endpoint security work as a cohesive whole.

An advanced unified remote monitoring and management (URMM) solution, like Kaseya VSA, makes this easy. VSA is a four-in-one tool that combines powerful remote control, software/patch management, executive reporting and endpoint monitoring into a single, easy-to-use solution. Check out the story of how Sephno, a leading MSP specializing in cybersecurity, leveraged VSA and other tools from the Kaseya IT Complete platform to unlock business growth and success in the cybersecurity space.

Some of the top benefits of endpoint security management are:

• Data security and privacy: Endpoint security management protects critical and valuable data stored on endpoints from malicious activities. It also prevents unauthorized access, which can have a devastating effect on a company’s data confidentiality and reputation.
• Business continuity and productivity: Compromised or faulty endpoints lead to increased  downtime and lower productivity, which leads to financial losses due to the cost associated with data recovery and system restoration. A robust endpoint security management process ensures security, business continuity, higher uptime and better end-user and customer service. This translates to lower operational costs and optimum utilization of resources.
• Regulatory compliance: Data protection is serious business, and organizations have to comply with various government regulations to ensure this. By undertaking endpoint security tasks, organizations can also tick off many of the regulatory requirements, keeping them on the good side of the law. An added advantage is that it helps businesses protect their intellectual property from theft and misuse.
• Holistic cybersecurity strategy: Today’s challenging and complex cybersecurity landscape requires businesses to take a holistic approach to security. While endpoint security management is one facet, businesses must also focus on other aspects, like cloud security, network security and vulnerability management, for comprehensive protection. Additionally, organizations should invest in employee training for increased awareness and adherence to cybersecurity best practices.

Check out our webinar recording on endpoint security management for more information.

Benefits of endpoint security management

Endpoint security management provides users with secure access to corporate networks from any device with an internet connection. The following are some of its top benefits:

Best practices for endpoint security management

Keeping the following best practices in mind will help you build a robust endpoint security management plan and keep your endpoints safe from damaging cyberattacks.

Regular software patching and updates

• It is important to regularly patch and update software to protect against the latest threats.
• Patches should be installed as soon as they are available as they can help protect against a wide range of attacks, such as malware, denial of service and data theft.
• VSA provides automated patching that streamlines the patch management workflow, even for large-scale environments.
• VSA is optimized for rapid deployment of patches, even in low bandwidth networks. Moreover, VSA’s robust patch vetting process limits zero-day disruptions and offers easy governance via policy, profiles and organizations.
• View patch history, override or even rollback patches to limit end-user disruption.

User education and training

• Educating your users on the latest tactics used by cybercriminals and ways to identify and avoid them goes a long way toward strengthening your defense posture.
• Regular training and testing for attacks like phishing and malware can help users take the right steps to protect themselves and the organization.
• Employees should be trained to recognize suspicious emails, links and attachments that will help them remain vigilant and comply with security protocols.

Access control and least privilege principle

• Access control and the principle of least privilege protects organizations from both internal and external threats.
• Organizations use role-based access control to provide users access to only the resources they need for their role.
• This prevents users from accidentally deleting important data, changing configurations or installing applications with malicious intent.
• It also provides an extra layer of security by ensuring that only authorized personnel can access sensitive data.
• Access control requires users to be carefully identified and authenticated, using usernames, passwords and biometric data in order to grant them privileges and access.
• The principle of least privilege states that users should get access to the minimum amount of data they need to do their work, and access to any other resource should be provided on a need-to-know basis to minimize the potential impact of security incidents.

Endpoint encryption

• Encrypting all the data stored on an endpoint, including performing full disk encryption, prevents misuse in the event of loss, theft or other security incidents.
• It makes the data unreadable to anyone without a decryption key.
• Endpoint encryption also prevents malicious actors from accessing the data, even if they are able to gain physical access to the device.
• Organizations can also perform file-level encryption that encrypts individual files or folders instead of the entire device.
• It is also recommended to encrypt data when it is being transmitted over a network to protect it from man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks.

Continuous monitoring and incident response

• Continuous monitoring of endpoints helps technicians detect suspicious activity and respond to incidents in real-time.
• Round-the-clock monitoring, clubbed with machine learning and behavioral analytics, helps organizations contain threats before they become an actual breach. According to the IBM Security Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023, the average cost of a data breach is $4.45 million.
• Additionally, organizations should also have an incident response plan in place to quickly mitigate the impact of an attack. We have written a comprehensive eBook on how to build an effective incident response plan to protect your business from severe financial and reputational damages.

Integration with threat intelligence

• Threat intelligence solutions collect, analyze and share information on existing and potential threats to help businesses make informed decisions about security policies, systems and procedures.
• Threat intelligence provides specifics on indicators of compromise (IOCs), which serve as evidence of a cyberthreat in action.
• For instance, threat intelligence can provide details such as the type of malware used or the source of the attack, which can help organizations quickly identify and block malicious activities.
• For more information, check out our blog on the role of endpoint management tools in IT security.

Common challenges of endpoint security management and how to overcome them

Once you understand the best practices, knowing how to overcome common challenges will further help you solidify your endpoint security management game.

Diverse endpoint landscape

Applying security policies to a diverse variety of endpoint devices, applications and operating systems is challenging. It can lead to inconsistencies in vulnerability management and patch management and hurt the balance between security and usability.

Endpoint visibility and control

A diverse endpoint landscape can hamper visibility into certain endpoints, like those registered under the bring your own device (BYOD) policy or used by remote and mobile workers. Moreover, managing and controlling a growing number of applications, not all enrolled under the security plan, can create shadow IT threats. Legacy systems can also fly under the radar and might not integrate with modern security services.

Balancing security and productivity

Extremely stringent security practices can hinder productivity, making it difficult for users to access resources comfortably and when required. On the other hand, lax security policies increase the risk of a cyberattack. Therefore, striking a balance between the two is crucial for companies to achieve the twin goals of security and growth.

Zero-day threats and APTs

Zero-day threats leave security managers with a short window to fix the vulnerability before it gets exploited widely. Sometimes, cybercriminals use custom exploits that traditional security solutions or signature-based systems fail to detect. APTs, on the other hand, are multistage attacks that leverage advanced tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) and can go undetected for months.

Patch management challenges

Managing patches for varied endpoints is a complex task that requires regular monitoring and testing to ensure the latest patches are all applied. This can be time-consuming and costly, especially for organizations that have a large number of endpoints.

User awareness and training

Users often lack the capabilities to detect and respond to a cyberattack. They often do not know how to bring any suspicious activity to light. Lack of user awareness and training can lead to serious security threats.

Resource limitations

Lack of the right tools, resources or personnel can leave organizations with glaring loopholes in their endpoint security management strategy. Without being aware of potential threats or having access to the right tools, organizations can miss out on important warning signs or fail to detect suspicious activity.

Incident response efficiency

The efficiency of an incident response plan determines how quickly an organization can bounce back from a cyberattack, as well as how effectively it can contain the impact. Organizations without a plan are more likely to experience longer recovery times, higher financial losses and bigger reputational damage.

BYOD policies

BYOD poses a significant security risk. We know that a cyberattack is no longer a question of “if” but “when” it will happen. A company’s network becomes more vulnerable with every new device it adds. By allowing your employees to bring their own devices to work, you’re essentially trusting them to keep the devices secure.

Human error

The actions and behavior of individuals and how they interact with data digitally impact endpoint security. Using weak passwords, unintentional data exposure, lack of security awareness and falling victim to phishing emails and social engineering attacks can inadvertently introduce malware or disclose sensitive information. According to Verizon’s 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report, 74% of breaches involved the human element, which includes social engineering attacks, errors or misuse.

Having covered the challenges, here are some strategies to help you overcome them:

• Automated deployment and management: Automated deployment ensures that security patches, updates, and configurations are consistently and promptly applied across all endpoints. It also streamlines incident response, allowing IT teams to identify and take action on any threat quickly.
• Endpoint detection and response (EDR): EDR solutions provide real-time visibility of endpoint behavior, helping detect and respond to advanced threats quickly. It provides detailed forensic logs and reports, enabling IT teams to investigate and remediate threats more effectively. Additionally, EDR solutions can provide automated threat hunting and threat intelligence, helping IT teams stay ahead of attackers.
• User education and training: Encouraging users to adopt secure behavior and educating them to recognize and avoid phishing attempts and social engineering attacks will greatly reduce the likelihood of human-error-related security incidents. Additionally, regular security awareness training can help users stay up to date with the latest security trends and threats.
• Endpoint segmentation: Endpoint segmentation is an effective strategy to prevent the lateral movement of malware and stop it from spreading to the wider networks. By isolating critical endpoints and data, organizations can reduce their attack surface and limit the scope of the damage that can be done in the event of a breach.
• Continuous assessment and monitoring: Continuous monitoring and detection facilitates early detection of security threats and supports timely patch management. Organizations should also conduct regular security audits to identify any weak points and address them promptly.

What to look for in an endpoint security management solution?

An endpoint management solution should support not only the current needs but also the future needs of your organization. While it’s not a comprehensive list, a solution with the following features should help you meet your objectives:

• Comprehensive threat detection: The solution should provide complete protection against a slew of known, unknown and advanced threats. It should provide root cause analysis of incidents and strategies to mitigate them in the future.
• Real-time monitoring and response: Cyberattacks don’t see the time of the day, nor should your endpoint security tool. It should provide round-the-clock monitoring of your endpoints so you can detect and address anomalies in real-time.
• Compatibility and integration: The solution should easily integrate with core IT tools, like PSA and IT documentation and other security solutions, for complete interoperability and seamless collaboration across the entire IT infrastructure. It should also provide automation across IT management functions to streamline operations.
• Scalability: The solution should be able to handle a growing number and variety of endpoints as your business grows.
• User-friendly interface: The interface should be intuitive, easy to use and customizable to meet the needs of different types of users.
• Endpoint encryption and data protection: Encryption prevents data leaks and helps maintain the integrity of data. VSA provides encryption for data at rest and in transit, protecting it from unauthorized access. It also provides data backup and recovery to ensure that data is always available.
• Data loss prevention (DLP): DLP is the process of detecting and preventing data leaks, unauthorized destruction of sensitive information and illicit transfer of data outside the organization.
• Automated patch management: Effective and timely patch management is your best defense against ransomware or other cyberattacks. With 200+ third-party titles within VSA, you can patch all on- and off-network devices, including Windows, Mac and Linux. You can wake up your Windows machines in the middle of the night, install patches and turn them off again, empowering you to achieve near-perfect patch compliance. VSA’s robust patch vetting process limits zero-day disruptions and offers easy governance via policy, profiles and organizations. VSA is optimized for rapid deployment of patches even in low bandwidth networks. View patch history, override or even rollback patches to limit end-user disruption. Book a free demo of VSA and see how it functions in your envionment.
• Centralized management console: You should be able to complete every endpoint security management task from a single console. VSA empowers businesses to command all of IT centrally. Users can:

• Easily manage remote and distributed environments
• Simplify backup and disaster recovery
• Safeguard against cybersecurity attacks
• Effectively manage compliance and network assets
• Streamline IT documentation
• Automate across IT management functions

Here’s a handy checklist of the top things to consider when choosing a modern endpoint management solution.

How Kaseya can help you with endpoint security management

Kaseya VSA is a unified remote monitoring and management (uRMM) platform that enables IT teams to manage core IT security functions from a single console. VSA brings together a host of services, like software patch management (including OS and third-party patching), AV/AM deployment and management, and backup and disaster recovery management (servers and SaaS app data), so you can provide comprehensive protection to all your endpoints using a single platform. In addition, VSA lets you patch off-network devices even over low-bandwidth networks — an indispensable feature when securing work-from-home (WFH) employees’ computers.

By providing timely alerts and triaging them, VSA allows businesses to address the most critical vulnerabilities first. Also, when VSA detects a suspicious code or file, it isolates it and contains the affected endpoints, preventing the threats from moving laterally in the network. The solution also supports automated actions, such as quarantining a compromised device, blocking malicious processes or initiating a system scan, based on predefined rules.

By providing comprehensive security to your systems and networks with Kaseya VSA, you can protect them against ongoing cyberthreats. By integrating an RMM tool into your business, you can boost growth, protect your business and safeguard your clients.

Want to learn more? Schedule a demo of Kaseya VSA today!

The post What Is Endpoint Security Management and Why Is It Important? appeared first on Kaseya.

What is EDR?

EDR is a modern security solution that protects endpoints from advanced cyberthreats like ransomware, AI-powered attacks and phishing scams. It secures not only your traditional endpoints but also frequently overlooked and unsecured assets, like Internet of Things (IoT) devices and remote endpoints. A cloud-based EDR can also help you oversee the security of virtual endpoints without compromising performance or availability.

The key feature of EDR is its state-of-the-art threat detection and remediation capability that protects you from ransomware-level attacks. How does an EDR stop ransomware and other threats of that kind? It does so by monitoring endpoints 24/7 and collecting and analyzing data for all signs of malicious activity.

Since EDR monitors endpoint behavior round the clock, it can nip threats in the early stages. It also has an excellent incident investigation function that helps identify the root cause of a threat and prevent it from occurring again.

Due to its ability to detect new-age threats, like zero-day and fileless malware, that are stealthy enough to bypass conventional AV and AM solutions, EDR is a must-have in today’s increasingly dangerous cybersecurity environment.

Why is EDR important?

Endpoint security is the first line of defense for any organization. For that, you first need to get visibility into all your endpoints because you cannot protect what you cannot see.

According to a security report, 58% of organizations are aware of fewer than 75% of the assets on their network. An EDR solution remedies this by discovering all the endpoints in your IT environment and providing complete perimeter security.

Does an EDR really make a difference? The 2023 Cost of a Data Breach report revealed that EDR can help reduce the financial impact of a breach by a significant $174,267 from the average total cost of $4.45 million. Not only security, EDR can also help with managing the associated costs.

How does EDR work?

With cybercriminals using advanced exploit kits and generative AI to launch almost undetectable cyberattacks, businesses need to beef up their defenses by investing in new-age tools that are faster, smarter and can put up a good fight.

EDR is one such tool. Here’s how it works. An IT administrator will install an EDR agent on all endpoints to monitor them continuously and enforce company security policies. The agent observes processes, applications, network connections and files on the endpoint to set a behavior baseline. It flags any behavior or pattern outside the established guideline and immediately reviews it for signs of a threat. For example, if an EDR agent detects suspicious file execution on an endpoint, it’ll immediately quarantine or contain the file and raise an alert for experts to review it.

What happens during multiple alerts? EDR tools triage alerts based on severity to ensure that security teams can address the most urgent ones first. Round-the-clock monitoring and real-time alerts notify security experts of suspicious behavior at the first sign so they can prevent it from escalating into a crisis.

Post remediation, EDRs perform forensics to understand the root cause of any incident and take the necessary measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring again. Thanks to built-in machine learning and advanced analytics capabilities, EDR only gets better at detecting and responding to threats with time.

What are EDR capabilities?

This section looks at the essential features of EDR that make it a must-have endpoint security tool:

• Data collection and analytics: EDR solutions collect a variety of endpoint data, such as process creation, driver loading, registry changes, disk accesses, network connections and more, for analysis. Then, it applies built-in threat intelligence to identify Indicators of Compromise (IoC) and Indicators of Attack (IoA) in the gathered data that point to a cyberattack in progress.
• Behavioral analysis: EDR leverages behavioral analysis to actively detect and neutralize malicious attacks. It creates a behavioral baseline for each endpoint so that any activity or pattern falling outside the established norm, which could indicate an ongoing threat, can be addressed immediately.
• Threat detection: EDR enables security teams to detect and respond to complex threats, such as fileless malware and ransomware, in real-time. Instead of waiting for a threat to surface, EDR actively hunts for it, helping businesses stay two steps ahead of cybercriminals.
• Visibility: EDR agents collect and analyze data on every endpoint to ensure none can serve as a doorway for cybercriminals to exploit.
• Automated response: EDR tools can take several different steps to remediate or contain an attack, such as:
  • Deleting files and blocking the spread of suspicious files.
  • Terminating processes.
  • Isolating the endpoint on the network to prevent lateral movement of the attack.
  • Automatic or manual execution of suspicious payloads in a sandbox.
  • Remote script execution on the endpoint.
• Reporting and alerts: Top-of-the-line EDRs have advanced reporting capabilities that help technicians create customizable and easy-to-understand reports in minutes. This feature enables companies to demonstrate compliance with security regulations and build customer trust. Providing real-time alerts with contextual information on severity level and recommended action is another crucial feature of an EDR solution. Security teams are more effective at managing incidents when they can respond to alerts on a priority basis.

What type of threats does EDR protect against?

In addition to several high-level threats, EDRs effectively detect polymorphic malware, which traditional security tools easily miss. In this section, we’ll look at some of the top threats that EDRs can address:

• Multistage attacks: A multistage attack unfolds progressively, with each subsequent stage building upon the previous. In the initial stage, threat actors conduct surveillance of the target company’s IT environment, seeking vulnerabilities to exploit. Following this, they deploy an exploit kit or a sophisticated phishing scam to breach security and establish a foothold within the IT infrastructure. Subsequently, they can leverage this position to steal data, launch a ransomware attack or undertake any other malicious activity detrimental to the business and security of the company. Cybercriminals can even exploit multiple vulnerabilities at a time and launch a big-scale attack.
• Malware and ransomware: Malware (malicious software) is an intrusive piece of software that enables cybercriminals to access and severely damage computing systems and networks. The infection can be a virus, trojan horse, worm, spyware, adware, rootkit or the infamous ransomware. Ransomware is a type of malware that relies on encryption to hold the victim’s sensitive information (files, applications, databases) at ransom. The global cybersecurity community in 2023 is witnessing waves of cybercriminal activity that have placed thousands of organizations in peril. Within the first two quarters, bad actors extorted a little under half a billion dollars from their victims — a 64% increase from 2022.
• Zero-day threats: A zero-day vulnerability/threat is a flaw in a network or software that hasn’t been patched or for which a patch isn’t available. The software or device vendor may or may not be aware of this flaw. The results are less than pleasant once the vulnerability becomes public knowledge or if cybercriminals get to it before the company’s security team. Exploiting a zero-day vulnerability enables hackers to install malicious software, exert remote control over the target’s IT infrastructure, eavesdrop on confidential communications or even disrupt operations entirely.
• Insider threats and malicious insiders: An insider threat is a security issue that arises within an organization due to a rogue employee or employees’ negligent use of systems and data. It may not always be malicious. On the other hand, a malicious insider is often a disgruntled employee misusing intimate information of the infrastructure to launch a cyberattack or to profit by selling credential information on the dark web.
• Phishing and email threats: About nine in 10 cyberattacks start with phishing, making it one of the most effective attack vectors. A phishing email is a specially crafted email designed to deceive recipients into divulging sensitive data, such as passwords, financial data or PII. While a phishing attack targets employees en masse, a spear-phishing attack targets top-level executives of a company with the aim to steal highly confidential and business-critical information to which only the highest-ranking executives have access.
• Advanced persistent threats (APTs): Often, the actors behind APTs are nation-state or nation-state-aligned hackers with access to a wide range of resources to launch sophisticated attacks. These incidents can go undetected for extended periods, allowing threat actors to commit espionage, data theft or spread malware. As nation-state cybercrime grows more common, every business is at risk from APT threat actors who are more than happy to exploit vulnerabilities to do the dirty work that enables them to strike at government and infrastructure targets.

How is EDR different from other endpoint security solutions?

In this section, we will demystify some of the confusion surrounding EDR and other security tools.

EDR vs. antivirus

An antivirus tool typically follows a signature-based system of threat detection, where it matches a file identified as a threat with a database of malicious files. It works well for identifying and stopping known malware and viruses like trojans and worms but not so much for newer, uncataloged threats where EDR thrives.

Threat mitigation should never disrupt your business processes. With an EDR system, suspicious files are promptly quarantined or isolated within sandboxes, preventing them from infecting other files or compromising your data. EDRs can also auto-remediate certain threat activities, saving you time and effort.

Lastly, AV solutions run checks at scheduled intervals, whereas an EDR performs round-the-clock monitoring to ensure complete security.

EDR vs. EPP (endpoint protection platform)

While an EDR is a threat detection tool effective at identifying and responding to advanced threats, an EPP solution takes preventive measures to guard against a threat from entering an endpoint in the first place. An EPP is an integrated suite of security technologies, such as antivirus/antimalware, intrusion prevention, data loss prevention and data encryption, to enhance security measures.

EDR vs. MDR (managed detection and response)

EDR is a powerful endpoint protection tool, while MDR is a full-service cybersecurity solution a third party provides. Also known as a security operations center (SOC), MDR is a cybersecurity service where security experts club their years of know-how with advanced tools and security strategies to provide complete IT protection. EDR is one of the tools found in their toolbox.

EDR vs. XDR (extended detection and response)

XDR is built on EDR to provide monitoring, detection and remediation of not only endpoints but the complete IT environment. It monitors the entire IT infrastructure by collecting and analyzing data from several other security and monitoring tools. For example, XDR will collect and analyze data from your network, cloud environments and even email security systems to give you the complete picture. By providing advanced threat detection and mitigation like an EDR, but at a complete IT environment level, XDR is a formidable tool for those in the security business like managed security service providers (MSSPs), enterprise-level organizations and those overseeing critical infrastructure and sensitive data.

What are the benefits of EDR?

Traditional security solutions struggle to detect advanced threats that EDR detects. As a new-age solution, it has features and capabilities that go beyond merely detecting and mitigating risks, also looking into the why, how and when of an attack to keep improving itself.

While EDR is sufficient as a standalone endpoint security solution, it works best when clubbed with your AV/AM, firewall, network intrusion detection and other security solutions for a layered and comprehensive protection of your endpoints.

With EDR in your security arsenal, you can secure your endpoints from becoming doorways to cyberthreats that can cause havoc on your business, setting you back by millions while damaging your reputation.

Secure your endpoints with Kaseya VSA

Looking for an advanced endpoint management solution that prioritizes cybersecurity? Look no further than Kaseya VSA. It has powerful capabilities focused on keeping you ahead of the endpoint curve as well as safe from cyberthreats. Some of the security-related features of VSA are:

• Patch every endpoint automatically with best-in-class automation and the most extensive software catalog on the market.
• Leverage policy-based configuration hardening to keep bad actors at bay.
• Detect, quarantine and remediate ransomware before it becomes a problem.
• Enhance threat detection with integrated AV, AM, EDR and Managed SOC.

Get a demo of Kaseya VSA and beef up your security in a jiffy.

The post What Is Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)? appeared first on Kaseya.

Endpoint detection response (EDR) and extended detection and response (XDR) are top-of-the-line cybersecurity solutions that can mitigate this risk and shield your IT environment even against major security risks like malware and ransomware. They monitor endpoints constantly, respond to incidents quickly and can adapt to evolving threats.

Although both solutions may appear similar on the surface, they offer vastly different levels of security. Read on to see how they compare.

What is endpoint detection and response (EDR)?

A high-end cybersecurity solution, like EDR, monitors endpoint devices continuously for vulnerabilities and threats and takes remedial action when malicious activity is detected. The endpoints include everything from laptops, desktops and mobile devices to servers, point-of-sale (POS) terminals, cloud applications, internet-of-things (IoT), network, virtual and even remote systems.

Malicious actors target endpoints looking for vulnerabilities, like unpatched software and faulty configurations, that are easy to exploit. Clients or employees using an endpoint might not notice suspicious messages during the course of their busy day, making them more prone to falling victim to attacks like phishing. Did you know that over 90% of data breaches are caused by human error?

Regardless of whether a breach happens as a result of an external threat, oversight or an error on the part of the organization, an EDR solution will enable early detection and mitigation. EDR is one of the tools that managed service providers (MSPs) as well as small and midsize businesses (SMBs) can use to combat cybercrime.

EDR features and capabilities

Security experts begin by installing an EDR agent on each endpoint that continuously monitors and shares data on the device’s health with the IT team. As the agent observes the endpoint’s behavior, it sets a baseline based on processes, applications, network connections and files. Any behavior that deviates from the established patterns is detected using advanced algorithms and machine learning and calls for a review.

Let’s say the tool detects a request for elevated privileges on an unauthorized laptop. It will immediately raise an alert for administrators to investigate since this could indicate a potential breach. Instant alerts to any suspicious activity ensure that you detect a breach early on and can take remedial action against the threat in real-time.

IT administrators receive hundreds of tickets daily, and identifying which ones to address first can be challenging. Moreover, trying to address all of them manually can result in security disasters. However, by using an EDR solution, technicians can auto-remediate common and recurring tickets, ensuring better security for your business and clients while reducing stress on themselves. Among its many functions, an EDR solution can isolate infected endpoints, quarantine files, terminate rogue processes and roll back changes to a known-good state to prevent network-wide damage.

In the event of an attack, EDRs perform forensic analysis to understand why it was successful and identify the root cause of vulnerabilities in your endpoints. Any business looking for comprehensive endpoint security should consider an EDR solution.

What is extended detection and response (XDR)?

If you are looking for a solution that can give you all the features of an EDR, but for your entire IT environment, look no further than an XDR. While endpoints are a common entry point for malicious actors to infiltrate your organization, focusing only on them can leave other areas of your IT environment vulnerable to attacks.

XDR solutions look at the big picture, integrating and correlating data from various sources to provide security inputs across the board. For example, XDR will collect and analyze data from your network, cloud environments and even email security systems to give you the complete picture. Because of this, it is better at detecting complex and widespread threats that could mess with your environment on multiple fronts.

By providing advanced threat detection and mitigation like an EDR, but at a complete IT environment level, XDR is a formidable tool for those in the security business (managed security service providers (MSSPs)), enterprise-level organizations and those overseeing critical infrastructure and sensitive data.

XDR features and capabilities

Investing in an XDR solution is like bringing the latest war machine to a fight. Its features and capabilities can detect even the most discreet cyberattacks and stop them in their tracks:

• Holistic threat detection: XDR solutions take a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity, ensuring that the IT environment as a whole stays safe. You can implement better security policies and ensure a more secure environment when you have addressed the issues in your entire IT infrastructure.
• Advanced analytics: Every criminal leaves a clue, and the best detectives are the ones who can find it. An XDR solution is like an intelligent detective with advanced algorithms and machine learning capabilities to detect even subtle, suspicious changes in your IT environment. It’s also smart enough to triage and prioritize alerts based on severity and impact, so you can take care of the most pressing issues first. With access to such a level of analytics, technicians and security teams can effectively allocate resources and address the most critical threats first.
• Automation: With hackers using the latest technology to craft complex attacks, you need a way to respond to them in a flash. Utilizing XDR’s auto-remediation features, you can nip damaging attacks, like malware and ransomware, in the bud.
• Incident investigation: Incident investigation is an important step that many organizations skip after threat mitigation but one that can provide valuable information into the timeline of events. By providing historical data and contextual information on an incident, XDR enables organizations to strengthen their security system.
• Threat intelligence: The threat intelligence feature of an XDR solution enriches the collected data with context and analysis so security analysts can determine the best course of action. For example, by identifying the most likely attack vectors cybercriminals can use against an organization, experts can prepare to defend against it.
• Scalability: XDR is highly scalable. It can easily accommodate new data sources, ensuring comprehensive coverage no matter your organization’s size.

What is the difference between EDR and XDR?

Here are some differences between EDR and XDR to help you decide which is best for you.

Can XDR replace EDR?

Both XDR and EDR have a place in today’s cybersecurity landscape, but to pick the one best for your business, you must consider a few factors.

The first point to consider is the size of your business and its security needs. If you are a small business with only a few endpoints and a basic IT infrastructure, an EDR solution is a better fit. Investing in an XDR solution is better for you if you have a complex IT environment or run a business vulnerable to cyberattacks. XDR is best for cross-domain correlation and comprehensive security, while EDR is ideal for targeted detection.

Since XDR provides a more comprehensive and holistic security cover, it costs more than an EDR solution. The former also integrates with a whole host of security tools, whereas XDR might provide limited integration due to its focus on endpoint management.

What other endpoint security technologies are similar to EDR and XDR?

If both EDR and XDR don’t cut it for you, check out these other similar security solutions that might suit your needs better.

Network detection and response (NDR)

Just like an EDR is a cybersecurity approach focusing on maintaining security by keeping endpoints safe, a network detection and response (NDR) solution helps keep cyberattacks away by monitoring and analyzing a company’s network traffic for malicious behavior. It leverages capabilities like signature-based detection and flow analysis to ensure network security. Like an XDR solution, NDR solutions are scalable to monitor increasing network traffic.

Managed detection and response (MDR)

Managed detection and response (MDR) is another word for security operations center (SOC). It is a centralized facility that houses an information security team responsible for continuously monitoring, detecting, analyzing and responding to any cybersecurity incidents on a 24/7/365 basis.

MDR or SOC service providers give security- and cost-conscious SMBs top-notch threat detection and remediation service that is nearly impossible to build internally. Even MSPs who want to highlight security services in their portfolio can partner with an MDR service provider.

SOC and MDR service providers use their knowledge of cybercriminal tools and techniques to proactively hunt, disrupt, contain, analyze and mitigate threats before they can harm their or their clients’ organizations.

Security information and event management (SIEM)

SIEM is an abbreviation for system information and event management. It is an ideal choice for organizations looking for a security solution that is more advanced than an EDR but not as high-end as an XDR. While SIEM analyzes log data from servers and security tools like firewalls and antivirus solutions, an XDR analyzes data from many more channels, focusing on endpoints, cloud, email and network activity.

Secure endpoints with Kaseya

Today’s “endpoint” has evolved to be anything with a digital pulse, such as a PC or Mac, VDI, mobile device or IoT. VSA, Kaseya’s complete, powerful and automated endpoint management solution, manages all endpoints, helping you stay two steps ahead of endpoint evolution.

VSA is designed with a relentless focus on security. Patch every endpoint automatically with best-in-class automation and the largest software catalog on the market. Leverage policy-based configuration hardening to keep bad actors at bay. Detect and quarantine ransomware before it becomes a problem. Enhance threat detection with integrated AV, AM, EDR and Managed SOC.

Automate, secure, monitor and manage your world at scale. Discover VSA today!

The post EDR vs. XDR: What’s the Difference and Which Is Right for Your Business? appeared first on Kaseya.

Endpoint security is the process of securing various endpoints, such as desktop computers, laptops, servers and other specialized computing hardware. These devices can either be on the corporate network, or, as is the case with remote workers, off-network and connected via the Internet.

Why is Endpoint Security Important for Remote Users?

With more companies shifting their employees to remote work due to the COVID-19 crisis, vulnerable endpoint devices can become easy points of entry for cybercriminals. Endpoints become vulnerable if the software running on them isn’t patched in a timely manner. To drive home this point, there were more than 12,000 publicly disclosed software vulnerabilities last year.

Every month on Patch Tuesday, Microsoft provides security patches to remediate vulnerabilities in its software products, from Windows to browsers and business applications. The May 2020 Patch Tuesday provided patches for 111 vulnerabilities across 12 products.

If your end users are working remotely, they’re off the corporate IT network, which means managing and keeping those devices updated could be challenging unless you have the ability to also patch those off-network devices.

Unpatched endpoints can be susceptible to cyberattacks, with hackers:

• Taking control of endpoints to launch DDOS attacks
• Using endpoints as entry and exit points to steal company and personal data
• Holding sensitive data or machines for ransom

When ransomware infects a single computer, it can quickly spread throughout the network, paralyzing your entire business.

Cyberattacks can not only shut down businesses, but also put IT leaders out of jobs. With the current crisis at hand, dealing with a cyberattack is the last thing you need on your plate.

Best Practices for Remote Endpoint Security

Organizations have, for decades, relied on antivirus/antimalware (AV/AM) software to secure endpoints. However, you need more than the traditional AV/AM solutions to secure your remote endpoints against today’s sophisticated attacks.

Here are five best practices you can implement to create a secure remote environment for your business:

Enable (Virtual Private Network) VPN for remote endpoints

Setup VPN on your remote endpoints to allow your users to access a secure link back to the office environment. You can use your endpoint management solution to deploy the VPN client, configure it, and once it’s all set up, you can monitor it and ensure that the client is up and running.

Patch your off-network devices

Automate patching of your off-network devices, monitor the patch status on all machines and track the vulnerabilities that can impact your environment. Your endpoint management tool automates patch management to ensure that patching occurs in a timely manner, without burdening the IT team.

Implement two-factor authentication (2FA)

2FA provides a second layer of authentication to access your applications by requiring users to provide a password (something they know) and a mobile app or token (something they have). 2FA is one of the easiest methods you can use to prevent cybercriminals from taking advantage of weak or stolen credentials (passwords) and hacking into your systems. Your employees’ credentials are probably out there on the Dark Web just waiting for cybercriminals to take advantage of them. Don’t let them!

Provide cybersecurity training to all your employees

With more employees now working from home than ever before, cybersecurity training is absolutely essential. As noted in our earlier blog, Top 10 Cybersecurity Threats in 2020, phishing attacks are getting more sophisticated everyday. Cybersecurity training can help prevent employees from falling victim to these kinds of attacks. This training can be accomplished through online videos and simulated phishing emails sent to all your remote workers.

Use cloud backup for your remote workforce

Your workforce may be scattered at the moment, but your IT staff and equipment doesn’t have to be. Protect end-user data without the hassle of setting up an appliance or local storage at every office location. Cloud backup is the simplest way to back up from anywhere with internet connectivity—including WiFi, so the data on remote endpoints is covered as well.

Kaseya VSA for Remote Endpoint Security

Kaseya VSA is a remote monitoring and endpoint management solution that helps you secure your systems as well as your remote, off-network endpoints.

With Kaseya VSA, you can:

• Monitor and remotely manage all devices on- and off-network
• Automate deployment, installation and updation of software on all endpoints, even over low bandwidth (e.g. Wi-Fi) networks
• Automated patch management covers Windows and macOS, as well as browsers and third-party applications
• Maintain compliance with your company security policies

Integrated with industry-leading AV/AM solutions, such as Bitdefender, Webroot, Kaspersky, and with a backup solution, such as Kaseya Unified Backup, Kaseya VSA provides you with complete endpoint protection for your business needs.

To learn more about endpoint security for a remote workforce, watch the video below:

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