EDR vs. SIEM - building a layered security approach

As you look to build a strong security posture for your organization, you’re probably considering cyber security solutions like EDR (endpoint detection and response) and SIEM (security information and event management). In this article, we’ll compare and contrast these methods so you can fully understand the differences between EDR and SIEM. 

But more importantly, we’ll cover everything so you can decide which security tool is the best fit for you and your organization, or if you’re better off using them both in tandem to create a highly fortified IT environment. 

What is EDR?

EDR is an IT acronym that stands for endpoint detection and response. These solutions are able to detect threats, alert technicians to their presence, and deploy pre-set remediation sequences at the endpoint level. In the world of IT, the word “endpoint” refers to devices with a network connection, which include items such as laptops, desktops, servers, mobile phones, IoT (internet of things) devices, and even accessory devices like printers or scanners. 

EDR tools are typically managed and deployed through the efforts of an in-house IT team specializing in IT security. EDR platforms provide IT pros with the tools that they need to ensure endpoint security. It’s important to note, however, that EDR solutions necessitate high levels of expertise and resources to make the most of all of their  capabilities using an in-house team. 

When you compare security options like EDR and SIEM, think about the scope of the protections that each offers as well as your IT department’s ability (or lack thereof) to successfully manage and execute the program on your own. In some cases, it may make the most sense to opt for an outsourced security solution, like MDR (managed detection and response). 

How does EDR work? 

It’s crucial to develop a strong understanding of how each works to effectively choose the best security solution for your organization. Here is the general flow of an EDR solution’s capabilities. After the last step in this cycle, we go back to the beginning again to continue collecting data with a renewed focus and ongoing improvements. 

• Step 1: Collect data. EDR tools are constantly gathering data from endpoints in your network. These tools can collect target information in a sophisticated manner that reduces the potential for information overload or backlogs. 
• Step 2: Detect threats. Informed by the data the program has collected in step one, an EDR tool uses advanced tactics like behavioral analysis, anomaly detection, and even threat intelligence to detect potential threats to your organization. 
• Step 3: Notify the team. When it detects a threat, an EDR tool alerts IT analysts and provides rich context due to the wealth of data it collects. Detailed and timely notifications help EDR tools contribute to faster response times as well as more effective resolution strategies.
• Step 4: Respond to threats. A strong EDR platform can be set up to execute preset response sequences when a specified type of threat occurs. For complex or unexpected problems, EDR platforms also offer tools for IT security teams to deploy manual response sequences. Effectively setting up these workflows is one of the areas that requires deep IT security expertise. 
• Step 5: Engage in forensic analysis. EDR tools provide teams with detailed data that helps uncover the ultimate why behind a security breach. This process of implementing what is called “root cause analysis” helps prevent future attacks and allows teams to better grasp the timeline, reach, and impact of an issue. 
• Step 6: Facilitate ongoing improvement. EDR tools provide insights that teams can use for root cause analysis (RCA). Root cause analysis should yield actionable feedback that, when properly incorporated, strengthens security over time. 

What is SIEM?

SIEM stands for security information and event management in IT. SIEM platforms can help IT teams detect and prevent cybersecurity breaches by centralizing and aggregating data from event logs on devices within your network. SIEM’s most pertinent function is its ability to pull together data from many different sources into one place. The result? IT security teams have enhanced visibility into their IT ecosystems through one intuitive dashboard. 

With the data that SIEM programs aggregate, IT teams are able to employ proactive security strategies using tactics like strategic detection, event data analysis, log enrichment, adherence to compliance requirements, data filtering, and more.

How does SIEM work? 

The key to an effective (and efficient) SIEM system is data. SIEM systems collect data from many disparate sources. They then use algorithms to analyze that data, looking for patterns or anomalies that may indicate a threat. SIEM tools do this in real time, detecting and alerting IT teams to potential security breaches and threats quickly, which minimizes risks.

Nowadays, many SIEM tools have also integrated AI-powered resolution models, which can help execute pre-set workflows to resolve certain types of issues. Even for more complex threats, SIEM tools can often triage the threat to minimize damage until an IT technician can swoop in to help. SIEM offerings are also very important in complying with regulatory and industry-specific requirements and standards. They can help maintain your organization’s reputation and ensure that you do not lose trust with customers. 

Differences between EDR and SIEM

You might be thinking that SIEM and EDR sounds pretty similar—and in some ways, they are. Both collect data from various sources, looking for anomalies or issues, and then alert security teams to respond. One of the biggest differences between EDR and SIEM is the scope of the data they aggregate. 

SIEM tools pull from a broader range of sources than EDR tools do, as EDR platforms are focused solely on endpoint-level devices while SIEM platforms pull from the IT ecosystem as a whole. 

Another big difference is their response capabilities. EDR tools traditionally can execute responses to recognizable incidents. While that capability is becoming more common in SIEM tools, SIEM incident response is typically much more limited than EDR. This is why these tools work best in tandem. SIEM has a broader scope for threat identification, whereas EDR offers more comprehensive incident response capabilities. 

EDR vs. SIEM vs. SOAR – comparing security strategies

The difference between EDR, SIEM, and SOAR (security orchestration, automation, and response) boils down which element of a holistic IT security strategy each is most focused on. Let’s compare: 

• EDR tools are focused on detecting threats at the endpoint level. They can also deploy preset incident response sequences. 
• SIEM platforms are largely focused on threat identification, which they accomplish by aggregating and analyzing data from sources across the IT network. 
• SOAR is all about combining tools to create a unified and automated response to security incidents. 

All three of these security tools are excellent inclusions in a comprehensive and layered security approach. SIEM is largely about real-time threat identification across the entire IT network, while EDR can both identify and respond to threats, but only at the endpoint level. SOAR is more about overall security strategy efficiency, which it accomplishes by providing IT teams with an all-in-one dashboard to manage disparate security tools in pursuit of overall posture strengthening. 

Secure your organization the efficient way

Choosing the right security solution for your organization can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options available in today’s crowded market. 

So if you’re tired of trying to figure everything out piece by piece, consider looking for an all-in-one IT solution that combines remote monitoring and management capabilities with top cybersecurity integrations, automated patching, and helpdesk and PSA tools to streamline your IT operations. At Atera, we offer all of this and more.

Book a demo with Atera today and explore seamless IT management solutions built for your needs.