Most organizations rely on endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions as the first line of defense. However, EDR can't protect everything on the network.
Most organizations have deployed and managed some form of Endpoint Protection and Response tools as it is generally recognized as one of the most critical parts of a security program. These organizations rely on the protections provided by these solutions and feel that as long as the dashboards remain clear of alerts, they are ‘safe’.
But this is missing a huge part of the overall picture because an EDR CAN’T SEE OR PROTECT EVERYTHING. At PacketWatch, we regularly see the pitfalls and consequences of relying on EDR without identifying critical network gaps. It is important to understand that EDR tools are a fantastic backstop to a well-implemented security program, but should not be relied upon as a first line of defense.
EDR is a powerful tool and is a critical part of any security program, but it is inherently limited because it only protects devices that have EDR installed on them. This leaves large parts of modern environments exposed. Things like printers, phones, routers, switches, IoT and OT devices, and legacy systems typically are unable to have EDR protection, leaving them vulnerable.
Attackers know this network blind spot and exploit this visibility gap to live within an environment, gathering data for exploitation. They move laterally within the environment, exfiltrate data from unmonitored sources, and blend in with normal-looking traffic. This can include command-and-control traffic, DNS tunneling, and data exfiltration through HTTPS or DNS packets.
Many organizations fail to recognize the risks inherent within their own network. Outdated protocols, cleartext passwords, weak encryption methods, poor network segmentation, and misconfigured firewall rules are often present within networks. Network monitoring and governance help identify these risks and address them before they can be successfully exploited, significantly reducing overall network risk and limiting the impact of a single device compromise.
Because PacketWatch WireSight sits in-line with your network and captures ALL network traffic, it allows visibility across all network segments, not just segments with EDR agents. This includes IT, OT, IoT, infrastructure, and other network traffic. This information is collected and reviewed by expert threat-hunting analysts to continually monitor and report on critical vulnerabilities and suspicious activities within the network. By combining the benefits of EDR and network visibility, PacketWatch provides comprehensive coverage across system endpoints and network segments to help prevent attacks.
EDR is an essential part of network security, but it also has blind spots that need to be addressed. Combining EDR protection for endpoint devices with full-packet-capture network monitoring and active threat-hunting analytics enables PacketWatch to protect more than just endpoints—it protects entire network systems.
If your security team is not monitoring your network activity and proactively hunting for network threats, you likely have a visibility gap. Let us show you how to see everything happening on your network. Contact Us or Schedule a Demo.
Todd Welfelt has an Information Technology career spanning more than 25 years. He has turned his extensive experience with hands-on management and maintenance of computer systems into practical assessment and implementation of security tools to meet the needs of compliance frameworks, as well as provide real-world risk reduction.