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BackDo I Need Both EDR and XDR?
In definitive terms, one does not typically need both EDR and XDR. XDR is the architectural growth and successor to EDR, created to provide a complete, cross-domain security that includes and significantly expands upon the capabilities of EDR.
Choosing XDR lets organizations to achieve a unified defense strategy that balances endpoints, cloud, network, and identity, going far beyond the endpoint-centric view of EDR alone.
What is EDR?
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) is a security feature focused primarily on monitoring, detecting, and responding to threats on individual endpoints such as laptops, desktops, servers, mobile devices.
EDR tools provide deep visibility into endpoint activity, using behavioural analytics and automation to identify the malignant processes, alert analysts, and execute response actions like isolating the affected device.
What is XDR?
Extended Detection and Response (XDR) is a security system that integrates detection, investigation, and response across all major security domains. This includes endpoints, cloud, network, email, and identity.
This is also different from EDR’s endpoint-centric view because it consumes telemetry from multiple sources, uses correlation and advanced analytics to get together a complete picture of an attack across the entire digital infrastructure, and enables coordinated and automated responses.
EDR and XDR comparison: The scope difference
The fundamental difference lies in the scope of visibility and control. EDR operates within the confines of the endpoint and XDR operates across the entire security stack.
| Feature | Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) | Extended Detection and Response (XDR) |
| Primary Focus | Deep visibility and response on Endpoints only. | Integrated visibility and response across All Domains (Endpoint, Cloud, Network, Email, Identity). |
| Data Sources | Endpoint logs, files, processes, and network traffic. | Endpoint, Cloud Workloads, Network Firewalls, Email Gateways, and Identity Systems. |
| Threat Context | Limited to single device or lateral movement on a device. | Complete Attack Story across the entire digital ecosystem. |
| Response Scope | Isolate endpoint, terminate process, clean file. | Coordinated response across all systems (e.g., isolate endpoint AND revoke user session AND block IP on firewall). |
FAQs
Does EDR replace the need for an XDR solution?
No, EDR does not replace XDR. EDR is a foundational component that feeds high-fidelity endpoint data into an XDR platform. The value of XDR comes from the correlation engine that analyses the EDR data and data from other security tools to catch sophisticated, multi-stage attacks that an EDR tool alone cannot find.
How does Hexnode XDR uniquely address the EDR/XDR challenge?
Hexnode XDR is purpose-built to eliminate data silos and security blind spots often associated with legacy, disconnected tools. Hexnode’s UEM provides unique advantages like:
- Unprecedented, low-level visibility and control over all managed mobile, desktop, and IoT endpoints.
- Seamless integration with security telemetry from the cloud and identity layers.
This ensures that detection is not only broad but also highly specific to the modern, distributed workforce, minimizing false positives and drastically accelerating mean-time-to-respond (MTTR).
If I have an EDR solution, is the transition to XDR difficult?
The complexity of its transition completely depends on the XDR vendor. Many leading XDR platforms like Hexnode XDR, are designed to work with existing investments. But the greatest value is unlocked when you integrate detection and response into a single XDR form.