What is EDR?
Endpoint Detection and Response software runs on endpoints such as workstations and servers. It records and analyzes activity that can help identify malicious or suspicious behaviour. Depending on the platform, EDR can support investigation, isolation of an endpoint and other response actions.
EDR is an important control, but the technology still needs to be configured, monitored and acted upon. An alert that nobody reviews quickly does not provide the same outcome as an actively managed detection-and-response process.
What is MDR?
Managed Detection and Response combines security telemetry with ongoing analyst monitoring, investigation and response workflows. An MDR provider may use EDR as a primary source and may also incorporate identity, email, cloud or network signals depending on the service.
The important questions are what the provider monitors, when analysts investigate, how incidents are escalated and which response actions they are authorized to perform.
EDR vs MDR at a glance
| Area | EDR | MDR |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Security technology | Managed security service |
| Primary scope | Endpoint detection and response capabilities | Monitoring, investigation and response operations |
| Human analysts | Not inherent to the product | Core part of the service |
| After-hours monitoring | Requires your own staffing or another service | Depends on the MDR service level |
| Response | Tools enable response actions | Provider performs or coordinates defined response actions |
Do you need EDR if you have MDR?
Usually the MDR service needs security telemetry from endpoints, identity, cloud or other systems. EDR is commonly one of those technology layers. Some providers bundle the endpoint platform into MDR, while others manage technology the customer already owns. Review the service design rather than assuming the terms are interchangeable.
When EDR alone may not be enough
If an organization lacks people to review alerts consistently, investigate suspicious behaviour and respond outside normal business hours, adding a managed capability can close an operational gap. The need depends on business risk, internal security capacity and the consequences of delayed response.
Questions to ask an MDR provider
- Which EDR or endpoint platforms are supported?
- Is the EDR license included or separate?
- Which signals beyond endpoints are monitored?
- What is the monitoring and escalation coverage?
- Which containment actions can analysts take?
- How are incidents documented and communicated?
- What responsibilities remain with our internal IT team?
Related: MDR vs MSSP, MDR vs SIEM vs SOC, and Managed Detection and Response.
Need to understand your detection and response gaps?
Review your endpoint controls, monitoring coverage, escalation process and response ownership as one operating system.