EDR vs SIEM: Which Threat Detection Tools You Need?

Building a robust security infrastructure that is strong and efficient can be a complex process. Various tools and technologies play different yet equally important roles in building the system. If you’re someone new, you can often get confused about the various tools that are needed. It is essential to know how you need a particular tool to build an efficient tool for security. Let’s talk about SIEM vs EDR, two of these cybersecurity solutions, in this blog.

Antivirus software and firewalls were sufficient defenses up until a few years ago. However, the recent increase in cybercrime and the development of sophisticated strategies call for a multi-layered approach to security. Additionally, you need to be knowledgeable with cutting-edge cybersecurity tools for a multi-layered, proactive cybersecurity setup.

These many tools are crucial components of any all-encompassing cybersecurity approach. Depending on your organizational needs, you could prefer one over the other, but they go well together.

What is an EDR Solution?

Endpoint detection and response (EDR) is a detection tool, as implied by the name. But compared to SIEM, it has various features. Physical endpoints on a network include laptops, servers, cellphones, or Internet of Things (IoT) devices. They serve as sort of doors into an organization. They are particularly susceptible to deliberate, targeted attacks.

Endpoint protection is now proactive rather than reactive thanks to EDR technology. So what precisely does EDR do?

• Monitoring and data gathering of all endpoint devices in real-time
• Data analysis and pattern recognition with AI
• Automated rules-based response to risks to limit them and alert relevant authorities
• It mostly supports Linux and Windows OS, but it is starting to support other operating systems as well, including Unix, iOS, and Android.

What is the SIEM Solution?

SIEM, or Security Information and Event Management, is a solution that gathers logs from all sources of data within your company, examines patterns and occurrences, and notifies the system of any questionable activity.

By outlining the tool’s two main purposes, we may make it simpler:

• A safe, central location for gathering log data. It gathers log entry information related to preventing unwanted access from all devices and systems connected to the network.
• Analysis and correlation of such log entries. SIEM uses machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to identify patterns of harmful activity and trigger alarms.

A sophisticated SIEM technology minimizes false positives and produces alerts in accordance with assessed priorities. By consolidating all relevant security information onto a single platform, it improves visibility. Improved vision results in a more profound comprehension.

Furthermore, the cornerstone of every effective defense plan is having a thorough awareness of prospective dangers. It’s crucial to remember that SIEM cannot stop cyberattacks. It’s a tool for detection. Early cyberattack detection allows security professionals to take preventative action. SIEM reduces possible loss or harm and stops it from getting worse. The technology must be configured properly in order to function to its fullest potential, and security specialists must comprehend and act upon the alarms.

In case you don’t have the right expertise, it is best to go with an outsourced cloud based service provider.

The Difference between EDR and SIEM

There are several significant differences between EDR and SIEM’s performance and capabilities outside of their main functions.

The main purposes of SIEM tools are to collect event logs and offer actionable security information. On one platform, all security intelligence from all sources is accessible. Continuous detection and response at the endpoint level against ransomware, fileless attacks, or malware is the main goal of EDR.

• Data Gathering: EDR only gathers data from endpoints. Apart from endpoints, SIEM gathers data from numerous sources. The network, users, applications, cloud, and on-premise infrastructure are all included in the multi-layered approach to log gathering.
• Threat Hunting: Because there are several sources for log gathering, there are various levels of log analysis as well. SIEM uses machine learning to filter enormous amounts of log data and provide custom analytical criteria. EDR may overlap with SIEM findings because it only collects data from endpoints.

Conclusion

Yes, SIEM and EDR complement one other as useful detection technologies. For a cybersecurity system that is multi-layered and effective, it is best to combine the two techniques. In terms of security intelligence and log analysis, SIEM offers the large picture. Individual endpoint focus is offered by EDR, which also reacts instantly to threats.