Endpoint Detection and Response: The New Front Line in Cybersecurity

Every enterprise IT leader knows the feeling: another security alert, another potential breach, another sleepless night wondering if their organization's endpoints are truly protected.

That’s because enterprise security has become much more sophisticated than it was a decade ago. Back then, the endpoints were limited, and most of the networking equipment used in organizations was company-issued.

However, the situation has changed a lot. Now, IoT devices, smartphones, laptops, and even smart watches are all endpoint threats that can lead to a breach. The attack surface has expanded, and so has the threat landscape.

According to the Cybersecurity Outlook (GCO), 72% of respondents reported an increase in cyber threats. And these threats aren’t just more frequent; they’re also more complex, evasive, and difficult to contain. 

Part of this complexity is also due to hybrid work.

Hybrid Work: The New Attack Surface

The problem becomes even more challenging to address due to hybrid or remote work policies. Yes, hybrid working is good for employees and reduces administrative costs; however, it also increases the attack surface.

This shift has completely transformed the way cybersecurity experts deal with endpoint security. Current data from 2025 indicates that 42% of workers operate remotely on a weekly basis. Hence, the number of people remotely logging into corporate systems and apps shows the scope of the threat.

Additionally, remote and hybrid work environments introduce several critical security challenges that traditional endpoint protection cannot adequately address:

• Unmanaged home networks with weak security controls 

• Personal devices used for business purposes (BYOD scenarios) 

• Reduced IT visibility into endpoint activities and network traffic 

• Increased reliance on cloud services and web applications 

• Limited physical security controls over devices and data 

The Limitations of Legacy Solutions

Organizations once relied on simple antivirus software, but as threats grew more sophisticated, these solutions proved inadequate.

The fundamental limitation of traditional antivirus software lies in its reactive nature. The antivirus platforms were and are still a cheap and effective way to defend from known malware signatures. However, they struggle with modern attacks that are deliberately designed to bypass antivirus software with ease.

What’s worse is that endpoint devices are more prone to these types of attacks. Without a centralized cybersecurity system, attacks from any of these devices can compromise your organization's security layers.

To address these limitations, organizations are transitioning to a more proactive model known as Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR). EDR solutions provide a better, modern alternative to traditional antivirus-based monitoring and response. These platforms, combined with expert endpoint security services from professional organizations, provide a stronger defense against various types of cyber threats.

EDR: A Proactive Approach to Endpoint Security

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) represents a fundamental shift from reactive to proactive endpoint security.

Unlike traditional antivirus solutions that rely primarily on signature-based detection, EDR platforms use behavioral analysis, machine learning, and continuous monitoring to identify and respond to both known and unknown threats. You can think of EDR as having a security analyst constantly monitoring every device in your organization, 24/7.

Many EDR solutions are available on the market. Popular enterprise-grade platforms include Microsoft Defender, SentinelOne, CrowdStrike Falcon, and Cisco Secure Endpoint.

These systems collect and analyze behavioral data from laptops, servers, mobile devices, and IoT endpoints, using advanced analytics to identify suspicious activities that might indicate a compromise. When threats are detected, EDR platforms alert and automatically isolate affected systems, terminate malicious processes, and begin remediation procedures.

Why EDR Tooling Alone Isn’t Enough

A common mistake many companies make is investing in cybersecurity and endpoint security tools, believing that this will solve all their problems. What they don’t realize is that investing in tools alone is not the solution. The key is to integrate these tools with each other and your current security infrastructure.

Common EDR deployment gaps include:

1. Improper configuration 

2. Insufficient integration with existing security tools 

3. Lack of proper incident response procedures.  

These issues become significantly more severe when there is a sudden change in company operations, such as during mergers, expansions, or acquisitions. 

Refer to Incident Response Readiness Assessment for evaluating if your team, tools, and workflows can respond when an alert turns critical.

These deployment gaps compromise security and incur significant financial consequences.

The Financial Impact of Endpoint Security Failures

According to IBM's latest research, the average cost of a data breach in the US is $4.4 million in 2025. What’s more concerning is the fact that a large part of these breaches is due to gaps in endpoint security.

Traditional perimeter-based security models collapse when employees work from coffee shops, home offices, and client sites. Each device becomes a potential entry point, and each connection represents a new attack vector that adversaries can exploit.

As noted earlier, 72% of organizations report an increase in threats, many of which stem from endpoint vulnerabilities.

However, things are changing, and industries are now investing in Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) systems to counter these threats. A survey by Kaseya shows that EDR adoption has increased from 49% in 2024 to 65% in 2025.

Securing Endpoints During M&A Growth

A global manufacturing firm partnered with X-Centric IT Solutions, as it encountered IT integration issues in its technology infrastructure.

In just over six years, the company had grown tremendously through acquisitions. However, every new acquisition meant inheriting separate IT systems. The key issues that the firm needed to resolve immediately were:

• Multiple accounts and authentication issues that could block access or leak sensitive information 

• Domain and namespace transfers that threatened to disrupt essential applications 

• Security gaps during transition periods  

• Complex endpoints and user setups 

We approached all these problems with a structured approach. Our cybersecurity team deployed Quest On-Demand Migration and Microsoft 365 tools. 

1. The process began with consolidating identity management across Active Directory and Entra ID to provide each employee with a single, secure login.  

2. Next, the team migrated collaboration platforms, such as Exchange, Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive, in stages to minimize disruptions. 

3. Simultaneously, X-Centric established unified security policies to enable consistent risk management throughout the organization. 

The key EDR services we provided:

• Identity and access management 

• Device and endpoint security 

• Data protection and governance 

• Email and collaboration tool security 

• Standardized audit and monitoring 

All of this created a significantly stronger endpoint security and monitoring system compared to the earlier set-up.

The case study makes it clear: deploying EDR effectively means aligning tools with a broader security strategy and integration with your IT tools.

The Takeaway

As discussed above, traditional antivirus systems are incapable of handling advanced attacks.

Endpoint detection and response solutions are now essential for effective cybersecurity. Without them, a single breach can result in significant losses.

To establish a robust cybersecurity posture that you and your team can confidently stand behind, EDR solutions offer a modern approach to mitigating and responding to cyber threats. However, acquiring an EDR platform/tool is half the solution. Pair it up with expert services for configuration, implementation, adoption, and change management. 

EDR services, Extended Detection and Response (XDR), and Managed Detection and Response (MDR) enable you to effectively utilize these cybersecurity tools.

Related: If you have already bought an EDR solution/platform, head over to EDR Effectiveness Review for validating if your EDR deployment is doing its job.