Enterprise security is a key issue in today’s scenario where connectivity and availability play a key role in the success of the systems. However, as all systems are dependent on various components like the software, the infrastructure and the communication networks, the chances of things going wrong are always present. From unintentional errors to deliberate attacks meant to harm, all kinds of activities take place in a system and most often, succeed as they are not detected early on. These activities, if tracked and flagged off at the right time can make a huge difference to the enterprise security issues.

Often referred to as EDR, the end point detection and response is nothing but a set of tools that focus on detecting as well as investigating suspicious activities at endpoints or hosts. This is still an evolving technology that is used where continuous monitoring is needed with immediate response to any advanced threats or its possibilities. These are fast becoming an essential component of enterprise systems, considering the huge risks involved in case of any attacks.

How EDR works

The end point detection and response tools are usually hosted on a system that is used for endpoint detection through constant monitoring of all endpoints as well as network events in that system. The complete inputs gathered in a centralized database are used for further analysis and detection, various kinds of investigation, reporting, and generating alerts, if and when required.

These are endpoint security solutionsthat work as analytics tools that constantly monitor things and help in detecting and deflecting the common forms of attacks early on. These threats could be internal or external. Most of the endpoint security solutionsvary in the way they work. They differ in the way they collect the data, how they do the analysis, the timing and the scope of the data that is being collected as well. Essentially though, they all perform the same function of ensuring end pointdetection and responsethrough constant monitoring, analysis, detection and alert generation.

Typically, they all gather information and perform sophisticated analytics based on patterns like strange or unknown connections, rare processes or any other risky or suspicious activities. The endpoint security solutionsare often built in such a way that automatic triggers or alerts are generated as immediate responses to counter these situations.

Not just EDR tools

Apart from the tools that exclusively provide the end point detection and responseand are called as EDR tools, there are also other tools that also provide the same functionality along with many other functions. There are tools that offer data encryption, application control and user and network access control, that include the EDR functionalities as part of the package.

Depending on the need of the enterprise, any of these tools that offer a broader range of functions can be picked to perform the end point detection and responsefor the system in place. The key is to identify the possible threats and ensure that the vulnerabilities are being caught and addressed.