EDR vs. NDR vs. XDR: How to Pick a Detection Response Solution

EDR, NDR, or XDR? Learn the key differences, benefits, and limitations of these top detection and response solutions, and discover how to choose the best fit for your organization's cybersecurity needs.

As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve in sophistication and frequency, businesses face the challenge of selecting the right detection and response solutions to protect their infrastructure. Among the most commonly used tools are endpoint detection and response (EDR), network detection and response (NDR), and extended detection and response (XDR). Each of these solutions addresses different layers of security and has its own strengths and limitations.

In this guide, we’ll explore the key differences between EDR vs NDR vs XDR, examine their benefits and drawbacks, and provide actionable insights about how to choose the best solution for your organization’s security needs.

• XDR integrates endpoint devices, network traffic, cloud infrastructure, and applications into a unified security approach.
• EDR focuses on securing endpoint devices by detecting and responding to threats specifically targeting those devices.
• NDR monitors network traffic to detect anomalies and security threats at the network level. It’s particularly useful for detecting lateral movement and advanced threats.

What Is EDR?

Endpoint detection and response (EDR) is a critical security technology that monitors endpoint devices—laptops, desktops, smartphones, and servers—for malicious activity and behavioral anomalies. EDR solutions provide continuous monitoring, real-time threat detection, and automated or manual responses to security incidents on endpoints.

EDR goes beyond traditional antivirus solutions by offering more advanced capabilities such as threat hunting, incident investigation, and detailed forensics. It helps security teams respond to threats in real-time, reducing the likelihood of successful attacks against critical business assets.

SentinelOne’s Singularity Endpoint is an EDR solution that can be extended beyond endpoints with Singularity XDR.

What Is NDR?

Network detection and response (NDR) is a security solution designed to monitor network traffic and detect threats within a network infrastructure. Unlike EDR, which focuses on endpoint devices, NDR analyzes network data and traffic flows to identify suspicious patterns that may indicate malicious activity.

NDR is particularly effective at detecting lateral movement when attackers gain unauthorized access to a network and move from one system to another. It observes traffic between devices, servers, and applications. It can therefore spot potential insider threats, compromised credentials, and data exfiltration attempts.

What Is XDR?

Extended detection and response (XDR) is a relatively new approach that unifies multiple security tools into a single platform to provide broader detection and response capabilities. XDR integrates data from various security layers—endpoints, networks, cloud environments, email, and applications—into one cohesive system. It therefore offers centralized visibility and automated responses across an organization’s entire infrastructure.

XDR goes beyond EDR and NDR by collecting and correlating data from a wide range of sources. This makes XDR an ideal solution for organizations seeking holistic security coverage. It can detect and respond to both endpoint- and network-based threats as well as those originating from the cloud or applications.

Difference Between EDR, NDR, and XDR

Key Features

• EDR provides endpoint-specific detection and response, monitoring device activity in real-time.
• NDR focuses on network traffic analysis to detect threats moving laterally or within the network.
• XDR combines endpoint, network, cloud, and application security data to deliver comprehensive threat detection and response.

Area of Action

• EDR focuses solely on endpoints, including computers, servers, and mobile devices.
• NDR targets the network layer, analyzing the flow of traffic between systems and devices.
• XDR operates across endpoints, networks, cloud environments, and applications, providing a unified view of security incidents.

Main Purpose

• EDR detects and responds to endpoint-specific threats like malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks.
• NDR detects and analyzes network-level threats, such as lateral movement and data exfiltration.
• XDR delivers comprehensive protection by integrating data from multiple security layers to detect advanced multi-vector attacks.

Function

• EDR monitors and protects individual endpoints, providing real-time responses to threats targeting specific devices.
• NDR monitors network traffic, detecting anomalies and suspicious activity between devices and systems.
• XDR provides centralized threat detection and response by correlating data from various sources to detect multilayered threats.

Pros

• EDR provides strong protection for individual devices and endpoints and is excellent at identifying malware and ransomware.
• NDR identifies threats that move across the network, providing better visibility into network-level attacks.
• XDR offers a complete, unified security solution with broader coverage and deeper insights into multi-vector attacks.

Cons (limitations)

• EDR lacks visibility into network-level threats, limiting its ability to detect lateral movement.
• NDR cannot detect endpoint-specific threats and requires integration with other tools for endpoint security.
• XDR costs more and is more complex due to its comprehensive nature and may require more resources to manage effectively.

Deployment methods

• EDR deploys via agents installed on endpoint devices, with centralized management consoles for monitoring.
• NDR uses network sensors and monitoring tools to capture and analyze network traffic.
• XDR deploys across multiple layers, with integrations for endpoint, network, cloud, and application security systems.

EDR vs NDR vs XDR: 19 Critical Differences

Criteria	EDR (Endpoint Detection & Response)	NDR (Network Detection & Response)	XDR (Extended Detection & Response)
Primary Focus	Endpoint devices (laptops, servers, mobile)	Network traffic (internal and external)	Multiple security layers (endpoints, network, cloud)
Scope	Endpoint-level protection	Network-level visibility	Cross-layer visibility (endpoints, networks, cloud, applications)
Response Mechanism	Isolates compromised endpoints	Blocks malicious network activity	Automated responses across multiple layers
Data Sources	Endpoint agents (logs, activity)	Network sensors (traffic data)	Aggregates data from endpoints, networks, cloud, and more
Automation Level	Moderate	Moderate	High (with integrated automation)
Key Use Cases	Malware, ransomware, device vulnerabilities	Insider threats, lateral movement	Coordinated multi-vector attacks, advanced persistent threats
Detection Methods	Signature and behavior-based	Anomaly-based, AI/ML-powered	Cross-layer correlation, AI-driven analytics
Threat Detection	Focuses on detecting endpoint threats	Identifies network anomalies and threats	Correlates threats across endpoints, networks, and cloud environments
Containment and Remediation	Endpoint isolation, file removal	Blocks network traffic, isolates devices	Cross-layer containment, automated remediation workflows
Incident Response	Endpoint-centric incident response	Network-focused incident response	Unified, cross-layer incident response across multiple environments
Integration	Can integrate with SIEM, other endpoint tools	Integrates with firewalls, SIEM	Integrates across multiple platforms, including EDR and NDR
Alerts and Notifications	Endpoint-level alerts	Network traffic-related alerts	Aggregated alerts across multiple vectors, with enhanced correlation
Investigation and Analysis	Forensic analysis at the endpoint level	Network packet inspection, analysis	Deep investigation across all environments for correlated threats
Threat Hunting	Endpoint-based threat hunting	Focuses on hunting network anomalies	Unified threat hunting across endpoints, networks, and cloud
Cloud and SaaS Support	Limited	Minimal	Comprehensive coverage, including cloud and SaaS platforms
Email and Messaging Support	Limited to endpoint-based email clients	Minimal	Integrated support across communication channels (email, messaging apps)
Identity and Access Management	Basic identity integration	Not directly involved	Advanced identity management and integration for full-stack security
SIEM System Support	Can integrate with SIEM systems	Frequently integrates with SIEM	Provides enhanced integration with SIEM for cross-platform correlation
Cost	Lower initial cost	Moderate cost	Higher cost due to extended coverage and advanced features

When to Use Each

• EDR: Use EDR when your organization has a large number of endpoints to secure against device-level threats such as malware, ransomware, and phishing.
• NDR: Opt for NDR if your infrastructure is network-heavy and you need to monitor and secure network traffic from insider threats or advanced persistent threats (APTs).
• XDR: Choose XDR if your security needs span multiple domains (endpoints, network, cloud, applications) and you want an all-encompassing, unified detection and response solution.

How to Choose Between EDR vs XDR vs NDR

When choosing between EDR vs XDR vs NDR, businesses need to consider their existing infrastructure, the types of threats they face, and their long-term security goals. Here are some steps to help guide your decision:

1. Assess Your Infrastructure

Begin by evaluating the size and complexity of your organization’s infrastructure. For instance, if you have a distributed workforce with multiple endpoint devices, EDR might be your primary focus. Conversely, if you have significant network traffic and lateral movement threats, NDR will likely be essential.

2. Understand The Threat Landscape

Identify the types of threats most prevalent in your industry. Financial institutions, for instance, may prioritize NDR for detecting insider threats, while tech firms might leverage XDR for its comprehensive threat coverage.

3. Budget and Resource Considerations

XDR may offer the most comprehensive protection but is typically more expensive to deploy and maintain than standalone EDR or NDR solutions. Make sure your organization has the necessary resources for implementation, monitoring, and management.

4. Evaluate Your Security Stack

Review your current security tools and systems to see how they integrate with EDR, NDR, or XDR. If you’re already using tools like SIEM or SOAR, consider how they might complement or be replaced by an XDR solution.

5. Automation and Incident Response

If your security team is small, automation can be a significant benefit. XDR and EDR tend to offer high levels of automation, enabling faster threat detection and response with fewer manual interventions.

Picking the Right Solution

When deciding between EDR, NDR, and XDR, it’s important to consider your organization’s size, complexity, and specific security needs. EDR is a strong choice for endpoint-specific protection, while NDR offers robust network security monitoring. XDR, though more complex, provides holistic security by integrating data from various sources across your entire infrastructure.

The right solution for your organization will depend on your threat landscape, existing security architecture, and budget. However, with cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, many organizations are moving toward XDR for its unified approach to detection and response.

With SentinelOne’s AI-powered XDR platform, you can unify detection, response, and automated remediation across all your security environments. Gain visibility into threats across endpoints, networks, and the cloud, and respond in real-time to attacks before they impact your business.

Take the next step toward securing your infrastructure with SentinelOne’s comprehensive security solutions. Get a demo today to learn how SentinelOne can help your organization stay ahead of cyber threats with industry-leading EDR, NDR, and XDR technologies.

FAQs

What is the difference between EDR vs XDR?

EDR focuses on endpoint device security, while XDR extends detection and response capabilities across multiple domains, including endpoints, networks, and the cloud.

Is Microsoft Defender an EDR or XDR?

Microsoft Defender functions primarily as an EDR but can integrate with Microsoft’s XDR platform, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.

What is the difference between NDR and SIEM?

NDR focuses on detecting threats through network traffic analysis, while SIEM aggregates security data from across the network for real-time monitoring and alerts.

Is SentinelOne an XDR or EDR?

SentinelOne is an XDR platform that also includes comprehensive EDR capabilities, offering endpoint and extended detection and response functionalities.

Which is better for small businesses: EDR, NDR, or XDR?

For small businesses with limited infrastructure, EDR may be sufficient. NDR is beneficial for companies with larger, more complex networks, while XDR is ideal for enterprises needing a more comprehensive approach.