What are XDR systems?
Extended detection and response (XDR) systems collect and combine data from multiple security layers, including servers, clouds, networks, and endpoints, across organizations’ IT environments so they can better protect their security landscapes from cyberattacks.
XDR systems help companies stop cyberattacks in addition to strengthening and simplifying their security processes. As such, organizations are able to speed up their digital transformation efforts and better serve users. That’s because when data, applications, and users are protected, businesses can spend more time on their strategic priorities.
XDR tools analyze internal and external traffic and identify threats even if they circumvent the perimeter of the system. These tools also integrate threat intelligence, enabling companies to identify known attack methods, and they uncover zero-day as well as unknown threats using machine learning-based detection.
XDR aims to help security teams:
- Identify hidden or extremely complex threats;
- Track threats across multiple data silos;
- More quickly detect and respond to threats;
- More effectively investigate threats.
XDR systems also combine data and alerts from various silos, establish comprehensive timelines of attacks, and have a centralized user interface that allows analysts to investigate and respond to security events anywhere in their IT environments.
9 Benefits of Using XDR Systems To Secure Business Data
XDR systems detect and thwart security threats at all stages of a cyberattack, offering organizations a holistic approach to ensure that their security landscapes are protected.
The following are the main benefits of using XDR to secure business data:
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Protection of multiple sources, devices
Since XDR solutions take a holistic approach to threat detection and response, they don’t just monitor one location, such as the endpoints. Rather, these tools track threats across all the traffic in a network as well across all endpoints and IT environments. As such, they identify threats no matter where they occur.
XDR tools can respond automatically to threats without the need for human intervention. Companies can opt to receive alerts when certain incidents happen so their security teams can quickly mitigate those incidents.
XDR gives security teams enhanced visibility into potential security threats, allowing them to develop strong defense mechanisms. As a security tool, XDR integrates data from various sources, including email systems, network traffic, and endpoint devices, to help security teams build profiles of their companies’ environments and quickly determine how to detect and block potential threats.
XDR provides protection and flexible control of access to business data. XDR security enables businesses to protect themselves from the theft or loss of their sensitive corporate data by allowing them to establish permissions defining which users can access what data. And with XDR, companies can monitor and audit how their information is used.
Since an XDR system combines multiple tools under a single dashboard, it’s easier to maintain and manage. And having all these tools in one place helps security teams save time and makes the entire workflow much smoother.
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Stronger perimeter protection
Organizations that use XDR tools are better able to secure their perimeters because these tools provide them with comprehensive assessments of the total activity in their networks. In addition, XDR consolidates information from multiple devices and security protocols, so security analysts can more easily see whatever is happening with their companies’ networks at all times.
Since XDR can detect security issues early, they can prevent them from having long-term negative effects on the business.
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Better Security Systems Management
XDR relies on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to uncover and thwart security threats in real time. Not only that, but XDR also allows companies to automate most of the manual processes of traditional security management systems, enabling businesses to save money on the cost of security risk management.
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Systems improve over time
Using machine learning and artificial technology, XDR tools are able to learn continuously and get better over time. This means the protections XDR systems offer also improve with time, enabling them to efficiently handle newer security threats.
Issues Hindering the Implementation of XDR Systems
Despite the many advantages of using XDR systems, organizations still face several issues when it comes to deploying these tools. For example, implementing XDR systems is somewhat complex and maybe not be suitable for all companies.
Here are several issues organizations may face when deploying XDR systems:
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Not compatible with other systems
Before organizations deploy XDR security systems, they must ensure that they are compatible with their other systems. The effectiveness of XDR tools depends on their ability to connect to and collect data from numerous legacy systems. However, this can be an issue, particularly if the designs of the legacy systems don’t include the required security features, e.g., the legacy systems don’t include the necessary application programming interfaces, or they may be configured in a way that drastically limits data extraction.
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Problems with integration
Organizations must deploy their XDR security systems properly to ensure adequate protection of their data. However, companies often have problems implementing XDR systems because (as noted above) to function properly and safeguard business data, they must integrate and work with numerous existing security systems.
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Getting used to the new XDR system
Business staff members may find it difficult to adapt to and use a new security system, such as an XDR system, especially if they’ve been using traditional security systems. Consequently, these business staff members should be trained on how best to use the new XDR security system. This should include extra training on how to safely store and access corporate data.
The Bottom Line
XDR systems provide organizations with a holistic solution to detect and respond to security threats, protecting their data across multiple sources and devices. With customizable alerts, enhanced visibility, and more control over data access, businesses can strengthen their security landscapes.
XDR also improves productivity, perimeter protection, and response times while leveraging AI and machine learning for real-time threat detection.
However, the implementation of XDR systems comes with its own caveats. As such, proper deployment and training are required to ensure the effective utilization of XDR tools.
