What is automated detection and response (ADR)?
To understand automated detection and response, you first need to know the basics of endpoint detection and response (EDR). Essentially, EDR is an extension of the concept of standard endpoint security, which integrates the same security functionality with real-time endpoint monitoring and visibility, as well as data collection. This process gathers large amounts of endpoint data—including unusual or suspicious behaviors that may indicate the presence of malware or other threats—and alerts security teams so they can quickly identify and respond to any issues.
EDR solutions offer significant security benefits, but they typically require a staff of highly trained security analysts to assess and use the data. There’s a massive skills shortage in cybersecurity1, and for many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and managed service providers (MSPs), maintaining these kinds of people resources just isn’t feasible. But even though EDR is likely better-suited to larger enterprises with more resources, MSPs and SMBs can still benefit from this type of technology. What they need is a version that offers powerful automation. That’s where ADR comes in.
ADR leverages advanced technologies like AI and machine learning to not only stop threats automatically, but also to proactively predict and prevent them. Rather than requiring more staff to manage it (as many EDR solutions do), ADR augments the staff you already have, effectively putting time back in their days so they can focus their attention on business-critical tasks.
What’s the difference between EDR and ADR?
As far as their endpoint protection capability, the terms EDR and ADR are virtually synonymous. The main difference between them is the capacity for automation.
With EDR, the main purpose is to:
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Monitor endpoints for anomalous or suspicious behavior
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Perform analysis to identify threats and their patterns
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Address threats by removing or containing them and alert security staff
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Provide threat telemetry and data for post-breach forensics
With ADR, you get the same functionality as the above, but with even more benefits. ADR helps you:
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Automate security tasks like threat investigation, validation, and remediation
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Speed up security alert response times, reduce downtime
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Improve detection accuracy with fewer false positives
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Stop present threats and also predict future threat sources for proactive protection
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Boost operational efficiency and efficacy
Why do businesses need ADR?
The cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, and cybercriminals are increasingly using AI and automation in their own tactics. To successfully protect themselves and their customers from these advanced attacks, SMBs and MSPs need next-gen cybersecurity solutions that can level the playing field; which means implementing solutions with the kind of speed, intelligence, and automation ADR provides.
Without an ADR solution, the IT team at an average business or MSP has to manage numerous security and non-security tasks across multiple systems, which means they need an in-depth understanding of those systems and the threats they might encounter. When you’re relying solely on a team of humans to perform tasks and gather/analyze reports manually, response times can grind to a halt if a problem arises. That’s just not good for the business or its security. But with ADR, most day-to-day security tasks are automated and threats are handled automatically in the background, drastically improving the efficiency and effectiveness of existing teams.
Additionally, when other solutions can be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of incoming malware, ADR solutions leverage machine learning and AI to sift through the data and proactively prevent threats. That means this type of solution can actually put time back in your day.
Does Webroot offer ADR?
We’re so glad you asked. To learn more about how next-generation Webroot® Business Endpoint Protection works to automatically predict and prevent threats—and to save MSPs and businesses time and money—click here.
To try Webroot Business Endpoint Protection for yourself, free for 30 days, click here. There’s no obligation to buy, no credit card required, and no software conflicts, so you don’t have to uninstall your existing protection just to give us a try.
1CNBC: Companies struggle to find skilled cybersecurity workers as attacks intensify
