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In an increasingly digitized world, cyber security is crucial to ensure the privacy and security of users and the continuous viability of networks. The more advanced technology becomes, the more sophisticated tools are used for cyber attacks. However, research indicates that it is not the sophisticated attacks that are used the most.
It is the regular user who is targeted most of the time. Phishing schemes are constantly on the rise, because this is a fairly simple method that enables attackers to trick the uninformed users. There have also been cases when even CEOs and CIOs fell into the trap. Once tricked, the user can then be used to harvest information and launch other attacks.
EDR cyber security was created out of the increasing need to provide active detection and defense against endpoint threats. Organizations typically leverage a combination of tools and practices to detect anomalous behavior.
It is through this process that many endpoint threats are detected, and then a response can be launched by combination of human teams and automated systems. In this article, you will learn what is EDR and how to implement it in your organization.
Intro to EDR Technology
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) is a set of tools and practices that enable you to monitor for, identify, and respond to threats on the perimeter of your network. EDR focuses on protecting your endpoints, which are the externally facing gateways to your network. Endpoints often include smartphones, workstations, Internet of things (IoT) devices, and routers.
EDR solutions rely on:
- Data collection—activity and events across endpoints are monitored and logged. Events include process executions, logins, and requests.
- Data aggregation—data logs are aggregated to a centralized database. From there, data is easily accessible to security teams and is analyzed by the solution.
- Detection engine—aggregated data is evaluated and correlated to detect suspicious behavior or events. Results from this engine are used to trigger alerts.
Additional features that EDR solutions often include are:
- Advanced behavior analysis
- Integration of threat intelligence
- Built-in security controls
- Automated response capabilities
- Forensic analysis and data auditing
Why Is EDR Important?
Cyberattacks are providing bigger payoffs to criminals as organizations collect more data and rely more on computer systems to perform business processes. While organizations are adapting to this risk, criminals continue to adapt as well. Traditional, signature-based methods are no longer enough as modern attacks can often bypass these methods.
Many modern attacks used methods that do not leave a signature or use methods that can change signatures to evade detection. These types of attacks require behavior-based detection methods, which is what EDR provides. EDR tools can detect a wider range of attacks and do not rely on signatures. These tools accomplish this detection by identifying suspicious variations in event and user behaviors as compared to “normal” baseline behaviors.
Using EDR to improve endpoint visibility and security enables organizations to identify and stop attacks early on or before attackers enter a system. Since most attacks originate at endpoints, this can drastically increase system security.
Additionally, unlike traditional systems, EDR systems are highly scalable. As organizations expand and more endpoints are added to their networks, EDR systems can easily and quickly accommodate new devices. This scalability ensures that your entire perimeter is equally protected.
EDR Security Best Practices
When implementing EDR cyber security, there are several best practices you can use to boost its effectiveness. Below are some practices you should start with.
Don’t ignore users
Users are often the greatest risk to your systems. They can cause damage intentionally but are also likely to cause unintentional damage. For example, accidentally deleting files or sharing data access. Additionally, if a security solution is intrusive or impedes a user’s productivity, they may try to work around it. This often happens without the user realizing that they’re putting your system at risk.
To avoid these risks, you need to ensure that solutions are transparent to users. End users should not be able to manipulate security settings or configurations. Ideally, a user won’t even know that a protection system is in place. This transparency also makes it difficult for attackers to maliciously change settings.
You should also make sure to educate your users on risky behaviors and security best practices. A little education can go a long way towards preventing social engineering or phishing attacks, designed to compromise credentials. Having security-aware users can help you reduce risks upfront and can help speed your response time when an incident does occur.
Integrate your tooling
While EDR solutions can protect your network perimeter, these tools are not designed to protect your system as a whole. To ensure that all aspects of your system are protected, you need to integrate EDR with other tools. For example, solutions that offer patch management, encryption, and authentication.
One common way to boost the effectiveness of EDR is to combine your solution with a system information and event management (SIEM) solution. SIEM solutions help you aggregate data from across your systems and can provide centralized visibility and alerting. Integrating these solutions can help you monitor and manage your system protections from a single dashboard. This helps boost the efficiency of your security teams and can significantly speed detection and response time.
You should also consider adopting an endpoint protection platform (EPP). These platforms can combine with your EDR to provide preventative technologies, such as antivirus and firewalls. If your EDR platform does not come built-in with these features, EPP can be a good way to incorporate these technologies.
When weighing your EPP options, look for solutions that include the following capabilities:
- Legacy antivirus—detects malware and viruses by matching threats to known signatures.
- Next-generation antivirus (NGAV)—detects threats using a combination of signature matching and behavior analysis. NGAV can detect novel or zero-day threats that legacy antivirus cannot.
- User and entity behavior analytics (UEBA)—evaluates event behaviors against established baselines to detect suspicious behavior. This technology is effective against novel threats as well as malicious insiders.
- Access controls—enables you to whitelist or blacklist applications, IP addresses, or users to restrict access.
- Sandbox—creates a safe place where suspected malware can be isolated and tested. Sandboxes enable you to inspect and store malware samples without risk to your external systems.
Segment your network
Network segmentation is a strategy that isolates applications, services, and data according to priority level. With segmentation, you have greater control over who and what can access the various parts of your network. This strategy also enables you to layer protections such as authentications and access controls.
Some EDR tools can isolate endpoints on demand but starting with a segmented network reduces reliance on this ability. Segmentation can also help you slow down attackers and limit the amount of damage they can cause. This means you can identify attacks earlier in the attack process and have a better chance of confining an attacker.
As part of segmentation, you can include ethernet switch paths (ESPs). ESPs enable you to hide the structure of your network. Hiding the structure makes it harder for attackers to travel through your network, further slowing them down.
Use proactive measures
EDR and other security solutions can help keep you protected but these solutions are not perfect. While fast responses EDR can significantly reduce damage, eliminating vulnerabilities from the start is more effective. You should be taking preventative steps to reduce your chances of attack whenever possible.
To start, make sure that you are actively updating and patching your systems as soon as possible. You should also make sure that you have clear security protocols in place and that these protocols are being followed. Performing periodic audits of security configurations and procedures can help you ensure compliance.
Implement an incident response plan (IRP)
EDR is a substantial tool for incident detection and response. However, to implement it effectively, you should combine your EDR with an incident response plan. An IRP helps you ensure that your detection and response procedures are standardized and comprehensive.
Your plan should clearly outline how incidents are detected, identified, and responded to. When creating this plan, you need to inventory your systems and data, which can help you identify and correct any existing vulnerabilities. An incident response plan can also ensure that you and your teams are aware of your risks and can respond promptly when needed.
When creating your plan, consider the following:
- Easy-to-follow processes—ensure details are clear and keep procedures to a minimum. Guides should define what EDR capabilities are used and how.
- Communication strategy—clarify who needs to be informed of security incidents. This includes how information is escalated to higher-level security analysts, management, legal, law enforcement, press. It also includes how much detail should be provided.
- Centralized approach—faster response times demand centralized tools. Try to minimize the number of interfaces your security team needs to use to collect and respond to information during an incident.
Minimize your endpoints
While you cannot eliminate all endpoints, you can restrict the number that is available. By ensuring that you only maintain necessary endpoints, you can reduce possible entry points for an attack. Restricting your number of active endpoints can also reduce the amount of maintenance and monitoring time needed to secure your perimeter.
When removing unneeded endpoints, make sure that you fully disable any connections used. You should also make sure to remove any retained network information or data from endpoint devices. If endpoints are generally unneeded but occasionally used, such as BlueTooth, you can set endpoints to disabled by default. Then, when needed, you can re-enable connections.
Conclusion
EDR cyber security tools are becoming increasingly sophisticated. However, it is important to remember that EDR should be implemented as an additional measure in your overall cyber security arsenal. You can use your EDR tools and practices to gain visibility into endpoint activity, and then use a combination of response automation and teams to mitigate.
While your EDR takes care of active endpoint detection and response, use EPP to known threats and zero-day vulnerabilities. Use access control measures to ensure roles and privileges are not abused, and sandbox any suspicious malware. Keep processes simple, including your IRP, and train your staff. Informed personnel can be a huge asset in preventing attacks.