Understanding XDR: The Future of Cyber Security

So what is XDR? An advanced cybersecurity solution that goes beyond traditional Endpoint Detection and Response by integrating data from multiple security layers, including endpoints, networks, servers, and more. This holistic approach provides a comprehensive view of the entire security environment, enabling more effective threat detection and response.

The integration of Extended Detection and Response (XDR) within the Microsoft ecosystem marks a significant leap forward in threat management and mitigation. This service furthers your threat detection capabilities for automated response and continuous monitoring through a 24×7 Security Operations Center (SOC).

How XDR Works

1. XDR begins by collecting data from the collective Microsoft Suite which includes Entra ID and Defender for Endpoint and Defender for Office 365. This is then supplemented by data from third party security services such as Firewalls. This comprehensive data collection ensures that all potential attack vectors are monitored.
2. The collected data is then sent to our SIEM platform, Sentinel to be normalised and enriched. This means the data is cleaned, organised, and triaged to ensure consistency and quality, making it ready for analysis.
3. XDR uses AI and machine learning to analyse the enriched data. This step helps in identifying patterns and anomalies that could indicate potential threats. The service analyses each touchpoint against the MITRE ATT&CK framework to determine whether an automated action should take place.
4. Any anomalies that require a human review are sent to the 24×7 Security Operation Centre ‘SOC’ for further review and decision on appropriate action. The comprehensive of the service helps to provide a comprehensive view of the threat landscape.
5. Once a threat is detected, XDR provides the necessary tools and information for the 24×7 Security Team to investigate and respond effectively. This includes automated response actions to mitigate the threat quickly and efficiently.

Benefits of XDR

Enhanced Threat Detection

With its comprehensive visibility and advanced detection capabilities, XDR significantly improves the ability to detect and respond to sophisticated threats.

Streamlined Incident Response

XDR’s unified response mechanisms enable faster and more efficient incident management, reducing the impact of security breaches.

Proactive Threat Hunting

XDR facilitates proactive threat hunting, allowing security teams to identify and neutralise potential threats before they can cause harm.

XDR Takes The Stress out of Cyber Security

With XDR alongside Enhanced, you can ensure you’re taking the best step forward to catching a threat. 24×7 SOC gives you peace of mind that your business receives round-the-clock protection that wouldn’t be feasible with most budgets and provides significant savings when compared to the price of containing a breach. With XDR you can ensure you’re covered through any IT shortage in your department and have the advantage of AI and machine learning threat detection to get ahead of any security incidents.

It takes 187 days on average to detect a security breach.
Source: IBM, Cost of a Data Breach Report 2021

With the use of XDR, your business can run smoothly, taking away the worry of:

• Manual threat detection
• Delayed incident response
• Compliance issues
• Operational downtime
• Resource allocation

Our experts are ready to help you discover the benefits and implementation of XDR. Contact us today and get in touch with a member of the Enhanced team to see how XDR can provide your business with round-the-clock threat protection.