EDR vs MDR vs XDR: What is the difference?

Keeping up with current threats isn't just a matter of reading the latest cybersecurity news. It also means dealing with increasingly complex security systems and a host of tools that you need to know how to use. That's where detection and response solutions come in: they help teams monitor what's happening, analyze risks, and react quickly to any suspicious activity.

This is where EDR, MDR, and XDR come in. These technologies are designed to make life easier for security teams, especially in small businesses that often have limited resources and are already overwhelmed with alerts from all sides.

However, although all these tools have a common goal (to detect and respond to threats), they are not the same. Each has its own strengths, and choosing the right one depends largely on what your company needs and the type of attacks you want to prevent, especially those that manage to evade traditional defenses.

EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response)

EDR solutions are designed to monitor everything that happens on a company's devices (such as computers, laptops, and servers) in order to detect any suspicious activity and stop potential cyberattacks. We're talking about serious things like malware, ransomware, brute force attacks, or completely new threats (known as “zero-day” threats).

With EDR, you get:

1. A centralized view of all devices connected to your network.

2. Real-time, non-stop monitoring, so nothing slips through the cracks.

3. Intelligent threat detection, using behavioral analysis and machine learning (yes, some AI).

4. Automatic responses when something unusual is identified, so you don't have to do everything manually.

5. Super-detailed forensic data that helps investigate what happened in the event of an incident.

MDR (Managed Detection and Response)

If you don't have a dedicated cybersecurity team, MDR can be your salvation. Basically, you're hiring a group of external experts who are responsible for monitoring your digital environment 24/7. They look for threats, filter alerts so you don't get overwhelmed with irrelevant stuff, investigate what really matters, and help you respond to incidents.

MDR is like having a SOC (Security Operations Center) but without having to set it up yourself. It combines technology with the human touch of cybersecurity specialists who know what they're doing.

What does a good MDR service include?

1. Personalized security reports and advice

2. 24/7 monitoring, every day of the year

3. Active search for hidden threats (they don't wait for something to explode before reacting)

4. Validation of alerts by real experts

5. Incident response, either guided or fully managed by the provider

XDR (Extended Detection and Response)

While EDR focuses only on endpoints, XDR goes much further. It's like having a panoramic security camera that sees everything: your devices, your network, your cloud systems, your email, everything! What XDR does is gather data from different parts of your infrastructure and analyze it together to detect more complex and difficult-to-see attacks.

The most striking benefits of XDR are:

1. A unified dashboard where you can see what's happening on all fronts (endpoints, network, cloud, etc.).

2. Fewer tools, more clarity, as it consolidates your security stack into a single solution.

3. Cross-threat detection, which connects the dots between scattered signals from different systems.

4. Automatic responses that can act on multiple levels at the same time (e.g., blocking users, closing connections, isolating devices).

5. Advanced analysis that identifies complex attack patterns, even if they are hidden among many small signals.

Read more: What Is XDR? The Future of Cyber Threat Detection & Response

What are the differences between EDR, MDR, and XDR?

Today, the most powerful cybersecurity detection and response tools rely on threat intelligence from many different sources. But not all of that information is easy to understand or use. It depends a lot on the tool, who is looking at it (a technician, a manager, an external provider, etc.), and the resources each company has.

And the reality is that not all companies have the time, staff, or technical knowledge to analyze thousands of alerts and respond to threats in a timely manner.

So, to better understand which one is right for you, let's look at how these tools compare and what problems they help solve.

EDR vs MDR: Which one do you need?

The clearest difference between EDR and MDR is in the scale and who manages it.

If you are evaluating between the two, you need to think about things like: How many devices do you need to protect? How big is your IT team? Do you have people who specialize in cybersecurity? Do you have time to stay on top of all the alerts?

EDR is excellent for giving you total visibility into what is happening on endpoints (devices) and can detect threats that escape traditional antivirus software. It is a key tool for a solid and scalable security strategy. But beware: EDR generates a large amount of data and alerts. And that can become a headache if you don't have people trained to analyze them and respond quickly.

In short, EDR gives you power, but it also puts the weight on your shoulders. If you have a strong and experienced team, great. If not, it can fall short or even work against you.

MDR, on the other hand, is more like saying, “Hey, I have a lot to do, can you help me with this?” Here, you hire a service that puts experts to work monitoring, analyzing, and responding for you. They give you reports, investigate threats, prioritize the urgent, and help you react when something strange happens.

It's ideal if you don't have an internal SOC (that team dedicated to monitoring your security), but still want to sleep soundly knowing that someone is watching your digital environment 24/7.

For small and medium-sized businesses, MDR is a great solution to start maturing their security strategy, dealing with more sophisticated threats, and not dying in the attempt due to alert overload.

MDR vs XDR: Beyond the endpoint

Now, if MDR is like having an external team monitoring your endpoints, XDR goes one step further and expands the view to your entire security ecosystem: endpoints, network, cloud, email, applications... everything connected.

With XDR, you no longer have alerts scattered everywhere. Instead of checking five different screens to see what's going on, you have everything unified on a single platform. The tool collects data from different sources, correlates it, and identifies complex patterns that you might overlook if you look at each system separately.

This is especially useful if you are already using multiple security tools and feel overwhelmed by the number of alerts. XDR helps consolidate that information, reduce noise, and focus on what really matters.

In summary:

1. MDR is a managed service that gives you expert eyes when you can't.

2. XDR is a comprehensive platform that connects everything and makes your defense smarter.

If you have a multi-layered security architecture with separate tools, XDR can help you get the most out of them and strengthen your entire strategy without losing visibility.

Read more: EDR vs XDR: Which is the better cybersecurity solution?

How to choose the best detection and response tool for your business?

Choosing the right tool to protect your business is not just a matter of looking for the most modern or popular one. It's about finding the one that really fits your needs, your size, and your resources.

Here are some key questions that can help you make a good decision:

1. What do you need to protect? Think about your most important assets: customer data, critical systems, applications, etc. What would happen if someone compromised them?

2. How much do you need to see? Do you want a detailed view of everything that happens on your systems or just the essentials?

3. Can your IT team handle this? Be honest: do they have the time, experience, and ability to deal with a lot of alerts and threats?

4. How are you doing in terms of budget and resources? Some solutions require more investment or dedicated staff. Are you ready for that?

5. Who will be responsible for responding to incidents? Someone has to analyze the alerts, investigate what is happening, and take action. Is that someone on your team... or will you need outside help?

Answering these questions will help you find the tool that not only protects you, but also works for you in your day-to-day operations. 

Still have questions or want to know how to apply all this to your business? Contact us and one of our specialists will advise you with no obligation. At TecnetOne, we have cybersecurity solutions designed to adapt to the real needs of your business. Whether you are just starting out or looking to strengthen your current strategy, we are here to support you every step of the way.