Cybersecurity poses a significant challenge in today’s world, intertwining complex political and technological aspects. To understand its origins, we must explore its historical beginnings. When computing emerged in the mid-20th century, systems were already susceptible to threats. Even in an era without the internet and fewer malicious actors, well-intentioned individuals could inadvertently introduce risks through simple errors.

The introduction of public internet access led more people to share their personal information online. Criminal organizations recognized the potential for financial gain and began targeting individuals and governments for data theft through web-based attacks, which saw a significant increase by the mid-1990s.

Think about the critical systems that underpin our modern society, from the vehicles we drive and the banks securing our finances to the healthcare facilities preserving our lives...

To reiterate this distinction as we begin this chapter, it’s essential to emphasize that when discussing EDR throughout this book, I am referring to it in its broad sense.

However, when I use the term EDR tools or simply EDR, I am specifically addressing dedicated software solutions such as CrowdStrike Falcon Insight, Singularity XDR by SentinelOne, or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. This differentiation serves as a cornerstone for our exploration.

An endpoint refers to any connected device that interacts with an organization’s data and network. These devices encompass a wide range, including servers, mobile devices, kiosks, point-of-sale (POS) systems, industrial machinery, cameras, and even commercial planes. As more physical or virtual systems, whether located on-premise or in the cloud, gain access to an organization’s data and networks, the number of Internet-connected devices continues to grow...

When discussing cybersecurity, particularly among individuals over the age of 40, the first concept that typically comes to mind is anti-virus software. Initially, the term was primarily associated with computer viruses, but it has since evolved to encompass anti-malware measures as well. Before delving more into EDR tools, let’s examine the most common types of malware:

• Viruses: They are malicious software that comes with executable programs designed for harmful purposes. They have the capability to erase data and can propagate to other systems.
• Ransomware: They encrypt your data and want money or a form of Bitcoin in exchange for providing the decryption key; for example, WannaCry.
• Worms: These are also malicious programs that don’t rely on other executable files to conceal their presence, making them quite similar to viruses.
• Trojans: Like the myth of...

In the preceding section, we discussed the limitations of traditional anti-virus technologies in providing comprehensive endpoint protection. It’s in response to these shortcomings that EDR tools have emerged. So, what exactly are EDR tools?

According to Anton Chuvakin, as cited in Gartner (https://www.gartner.com/reviews/market/endpoint-detection-and-response-solutions), EDR is defined as a solution that records and stores endpoint-system-level behaviors, utilizes various data analytics techniques to identify suspicious system behavior, offers contextual insights, blocks malicious activities, and suggests remediation steps to restore affected systems.

Endpoint security isn’t merely about fortifying endpoints but should extend further. Best practices in endpoint security encompass continuous endpoint discovery, monitoring, assessment, analysis, and the reduction of attack surfaces. Adequate and advanced EDR tools should contain at least...

In this chapter, we went through an overview of contemporary cybersecurity threats and the associated challenges. Additionally, we underscored the significance of endpoint security within modern IT ecosystems, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance in this regard.

Furthermore, we delved into the distinctions between EDR tools and conventional anti-virus and endpoint protection solutions. We also highlighted modern EDR tools’ evolution and factors differentiating high-quality EDR tools from their inadequate counterparts.

We will delve deeper into these capabilities in the forthcoming chapters, elucidating their implications. We’ll also expound upon the components and architecture commonly found in modern EDR tools, assess the prominent tools available in the market, and provide a comprehensive evaluation of their strengths and weaknesses.