EDR stands for Endpoint Detection and Response. In the market, you will find a lot of software which claims that they are the best in the industry. In this blog let us check out the best EDR software which is being used in big multinational companies across the world.
Before diving into the best EDR software, let us first understand what is an EDR.
What is EDR?
EDR is a technology that monitors and responds to suspicious activity, it detects and halts cyber threats on endpoints such as desktops, laptops, servers, and mobile devices.
Difference between an EDR and Anti-virus
A lot of us relate EDR to Antivirus, but there is a difference between an EDR and Antivirus. Both software aims to protect the end user endpoint, but there is a difference.
An Anti-virus detects malware on an infected machine, EDR incorporates an Anti-virus to provide fully-featured protection from potential threats. A machine which is a combination of EDR and Anti-virus is almost impossible to breach.
The two best EDRs in the current markets are Crowdstrike Falcon and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
EDR - Crowdstrike Falcon
Crowdstrike Falcon is a product of Crowdstrike. Crowdstrike was co-founded in 2011 by George Kurtz (CEO), Dmitri Alperovitch (former CTO), and Gregg Marston (CFO).
Crowdstrike Falcon was launched in June 2013.
Crowdstrike Falcon stops the breaches via a set of cloud-delivered technologies, the technology prevents the endpoint from malware and applications similar to malware.
Crowdstrike Falcon includes below Endpoint Security Solutions.
- Falcon Prevent - Next Generation Antivirus (NGAV)
- Falcon Insight - Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
- Falcon Device Control - USB Device Control
- Falcon Firewall Management - Host Firewall Control
- Falcon For Mobile - Mobile Endpoint Detection and Response
- Falcon Forensic - Forensic Data Analysis
Crowdstrike Falcon offers security as service (SAAS) to customers, it is a 100 percent cloud-based solution.
EDR - Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
This is also an endpoint security solution like Crowdstrike which prevents attacks and breaches on an endpoint. It has AI-powered cyberthreat protection which protects endpoints of different flavors like Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and IoT devices.
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint has below features.
- Core Defender Vulnerability Management
- Attack Surface Reduction
- Next-Generation Protection
- Endpoint Detection and Response
- Automated Investigation and Remediation
- Microsoft Threat Experts
Crowdstrike Falcon vs Microsoft Defender for Endpoints
Old Legacy Technology
Microsoft Defender uses legacy signature-based antivirus, therefore it is not synched with the latest and modern threats. As the OS changes so is the version of Microsoft Defender.
Crowdstrike Falcon agent covers all endpoints regardless of the OS Versions.
Single Console Platform
With Microsoft Defender you have to switch to different consoles, which makes it complex and less user friendly. Whereas in Crowdstrike you can view the entire Security Operations in a single console.
Seamless Deployment
Crowdstrike agent deploys to thousands of endpoints in minutes across major Operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is compatible with almost all OS. Since Defender isn’t a product, it’s a feature of Windows OS. Therefore the version changes with the OS version. Customers need to run the current version and premium edition of Windows OS to have full functionality.
Easy to update and Maintain
Crowdstrike received frequent updates, and the update happens even without restarting the endpoint. Whereas in the case of Microsoft Defender, Maintenance and updates require a device reboot. A manual intervention is required during such updates.
Cost Effective
No hidden cost, Transparent licensing makes it easy to budget. Just like Microsoft, Licensing is a bit complex.
TrustRadius Rating
In Trustpilot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is rated 8.3 out of 10.
Crowdstrike Falcon is rated 9.1 out of 10.