Partner Content: MDR vs. EDR: Which security solution is right for your business?

The threat landscape, and the cybersecurity strategies needed to stay secure in the face of it, has changed forever.

Supercharged by greater remote working and the broader use of artificial intelligence tools, cybercriminals have been seeing success in utilising new attack strategies. In many cases, they are doing so faster than end users and channel organisations are deploying tools to stop them.

In light of this, it’s become more important for enterprises to really understand the security solutions at their disposal. Two particularly important cybersecurity approaches, Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), have increased in popularity in recent years and are used by some of the biggest companies in the world. But what are MDR and EDR? Why are they important? And which one is right for your business?

What is Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)?

MDR and EDR are two key approaches to cybersecurity, but they differ significantly in scope and functionality.

EDR focuses primarily on monitoring and protecting endpoint devices, such as laptops, servers, and mobile devices, using advanced analytics to detect threats and enable swift remediation. But while EDR is powerful for endpoint-specific threats, it requires in-house expertise to manage and respond effectively.

MDR, on the other hand, offers a broader, more comprehensive service by integrating threat detection, response, and monitoring across an organisation's entire IT environment, often delivered by external security providers, such as MSPs.

While EDR provides deep visibility and protection at the endpoint level, MDR enhances an organisation's overall security posture by delivering expertise, scalability, and 24/7 threat monitoring. MSPs and MSSPs often address this by integrating and managing EDR solutions for their customers, ensuring that threats are swiftly neutralised while alleviating the resource burden on end-users.

“Not having MDR is the equivalent of driving without a seat belt...”

According to a recent report from Computing, 19 per cent of all businesses experienced a successful ransomware attack in the last 12 months.

With the increasing reliance on data access for business continuity, these attacks can have a serious impact on performance. The same Computing survey also said that 50 per cent of these affected businesses took longer than three days to fully recover from the attack, and 4 per cent reported that they were never fully able to recover.

“For me, not having MDR is the equivalent of driving without a seat belt for clients at the moment. We don’t take on new clients unless they’re willing to do MDR just because it’s an absolute game changer,” said Damien Gelder, Head of Support at Q2Q.

“My biggest fear is receiving an email or a phone call late at night saying things have been taken offline, so having that peace of mind is really important for us.”

MDR not only leverages EDR solutions but also combines them with 24/7 expert support, threat intelligence, and proactive threat hunting, making it ideal for organisations seeking a fully managed and holistic security solution.

“Selecting the right tool is, of course, an important aspect of that as well,” Damian continues. “I’ve been really happy with N-able's offering. They seem a little bit ahead of the curve. They’re different in that it’s clear a techie has had some level of involvement in building it and that makes it easy for other techies to understand how that works. They understand the product. And it’s just an absolute no-brainer for us.”

Should your company have MDR or EDR?

The benefits of MDR and EDR lie in their unique strengths and how they complement each other. MDR offers 24/7 threat monitoring and management, ensuring that organisations are protected even during off-hours.

With its comprehensive coverage across endpoints, networks, and cloud environments, MDR delivers a holistic approach to security. It also provides access to skilled cybersecurity professionals, making it an ideal choice for organisations without in-house expertise.

Additionally, MDR often includes proactive threat hunting, enabling the identification and mitigation of potential risks before they escalate. By outsourcing these services, businesses can reduce the strain on internal teams, allowing them to focus on strategic initiatives.

That being said, EDR is highly effective at providing targeted protection for endpoint devices, such as laptops, servers, and mobile devices. Its advanced analytics and AI capabilities allow for real-time detection and immediate remediation of endpoint-specific threats. These EDR tools are particularly valuable for isolating and neutralising threats at the endpoint level, making them a critical component of any cybersecurity strategy.

For many channel partners, MDR has become the go-to solution for customers seeking a hands-off, managed approach to security. However, EDR remains a vital component for endpoint-specific protection, especially in hybrid environments. By offering both, MSPs/MSSPs can deliver tailored, scalable solutions that ensure their customers are equipped to face today’s cybersecurity challenges.

Find out more at N-able.

This article is sponsored by N-Able.