eXtended Detection and Response
Cyberattacks frequently evade detection in an increasingly complex threat landscape. Once they penetrate your network, they hide amidst normal IT traffic and cannot be detected by siloed, disconnected tools that lack correlated detection and response. At the same time, overwhelmed security teams fail to identify these attacks because of noisy and disjointed attack viewpoints.

XDR vs. EDR
XDR is a natural evolution from endpoint detection and response (EDR), which primarily focuses on endpoint security. XDR broadens the scope of security, integrating protection across a wider range of products, including endpoints, network, email, and more. From there, XDR combines prevention, detection, investigation, and response, providing visibility, analytics, correlated incident alerts, and automated responses to improve data security and combat threats.

XDR vs. SIEM
XDR complements existing enterprise security information and event management (SIEM) systems. Primarily a detection tool, SIEM aggregates large volumes of shallow data and identifies security threats and anomalous behavior. But it cannot respond to or remediate threats, and usually requires manual responses. XDR adds this response capability and works in tandem with SIEMs as part of an organization’s security portfolio, taking advantage of the extensive data SIEM makes available.

XDR vs. SOAR
Security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) connects security tools and integrates disparate security systems, being the connecting layer that streamlines security processes and powers automation. In contrast, XDR is a simple, intuitive, zero-code solution that offers advanced detection, rapid response, and intuitive automation that meets most customers' needs without the added complexity, expertise, and cost that a SOAR solution requires. When looking at SIEM and SOAR tools, XDR should be treated as an optional complementary product.

XDR vs. NDR
NDR (Network Detection and Response) focuses specifically on monitoring and analyzing network traffic using machine learning to identify suspicious activities, anomalies, and potential security breaches within a network. Most XDR solutions are extensions of EDR focused on unifying alerts and remediation. Few XDR solutions incorporate network data or NDR capabilities. When looking at XDR tools, be sure to find solutions that include endpoint, Cloud, and network telemetry.

XDR vs. MDR
Managed detection and response (MDR) services offer dedicated personnel and/or solution capabilities to provide an alternative to an in-house SOC (security operations center) to improve the effectiveness of security operations in threat identification, investigation, and response. Often MDRs use XDR tools to meet an enterprise’s security needs, operating everything themselves.