What are NDR Tools?

In the early stages of learning about Network detection and response (NDR), it can be difficult to understand what exactly goes into each NDR system. Every platform is different, and each vendor includes a different set of network detection and response tools in their product. By having a good grasp on what makes up the typical NDR solution, your organization will be better equipped to make choices when evaluating systems.

Before diving into the tools, features, and use cases included in many NDRs, let’s briefly review what NDR is and how it works.

What is NDR and how it works?

Network detection and response (NDR) is a cybersecurity system that detects potential threats from malicious activity and enables cybersecurity practitioners to address those threats before they harm organizations. Network detection and response products work by continuously monitoring the organization's network traffic in near real-time.

NDR uses sophisticated detection mechanisms, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, to identify and respond to potential security incidents, unauthorized activity, and suspicious user behaviors. Network detection and response products improve an organization’s ability to handle cyber incidents, which helps mitigate the risk of data breaches or other unwanted activities.

What is an NDR tool?

An NDR tool is a feature included in the NDR to help the system achieve its purpose. Each NDR software will differ in exactly how it achieves its goals, but most NDR systems will include tools or features that help with the following NDR functions:

Automated Threat Detection:

Utilizing advanced algorithms and machine learning, NDR software automatically pinpoints potential threats within network traffic. By continuously monitoring and analyzing network data, NDR swiftly identifies anomalous behaviors, malicious patterns, and Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) in near real-time. This functionality is pivotal for executing incident response strategies.

Incident Response:

NDR software captures detailed logs of network activity and traffic data, empowering security teams to reconstruct the sequence of events, investigate the root cause, and comprehend the extent of a breach. This heightened visibility accelerates response times, allowing organizations to efficiently contain and mitigate the impact of security incidents.

Proactive Threat Hunting:

Security analysts leverage the advanced search capabilities, behavioral analytics, and threat intelligence provided by NDR for proactive threat hunting. By actively exploring network data, analysts can identify hidden threats and uncover emerging attack patterns. This proactive approach keeps organizations ahead of threat actors, enabling the detection and neutralization of threats before they cause harm.

Remediation:

Once a threat is identified, NDR software can automatically initiate response actions through integrations with other systems, such as EDR. These actions may involve blocking suspicious IP addresses, isolating compromised end-user devices, or implementing access control policies. Such automated responses effectively contain the threat, prevent lateral movement, and minimize the impact of a security incident.

What are the features of NDR?

Every NDR solution includes a wide range of features to help detect and respond to threats. Not every NDR solution is the same, so organizations should carefully consider their unique needs, any gaps they have in coverage from their other tools, and what they are looking to get out of their NDR. Some common features found in many NDR solutions are:

Deep Packet Inspection: Certain NDR solutions engage in real-time capture and analysis of network traffic. This process involves extracting metadata, understanding communication patterns, detecting potential threats, identifying anomalies, and logging activity.
Behavioral Analysis Engines: NDRs utilize machine learning and behavioral analysis to establish normal network behavior baselines. These engines are adept at detecting deviations that may indicate malicious activities.
Threat Intelligence Integration: Competent NDR solutions seamlessly integrate with third-party threat intelligence feeds. This integration enhances detection capabilities by providing up-to-date information about known threats and indicators of compromise.
Network Forensics: Network forensics tools assist in investigating security incidents by analyzing historical network data. This aids security teams in comprehending the scope and impact of potential breaches.
Automated Incident Response: Most NDR solutions can initiate predefined automated responses to security incidents. This feature enables quick containment and mitigation of threats.
Vulnerability Discovery: Some NDRs claim the ability to identify and assess vulnerabilities within the network that could be exploited by attackers. This contributes to proactive threat mitigation.
Threat Hunting: A threat hunting platform — often integrated into an NDR solution — uses data collected by the NDR to sift through network traffic and identify user-selected threats, suspicious behaviors, or anomalous activities.

What is the role of NDR in your security strategy?

The role of NDR in your security strategy is to provide greater visibility into your network. When comparing different threat detection and response systems, like NDR vs EDR, network visibility becomes the main differentiator. Here are four ways NDR, and the visibility it provides, can fit into your security strategy:

NDR Fills Gaps Left by EDR and Similar Tools:

EDR systems require installing an agent on every device, creating coverage gaps in certain environments like those with IoT devices, many medical facilities, or Bring-Your-Own-Device policies. NDR — operating without agents — provides real-time monitoring for optimal visibility in any environment.
NDR Secures Cloud and Hybrid Environments:

As cloud and hybrid setups become more common, the need for security systems that can monitor these environments is increasing. NDR utilizes network telemetry data — a valuable source for monitoring, analysis, threat detection, and investigation — to monitor cloud assets that use the network for communication.
NDR Benefits Both Security and IT Teams:

Beyond its security advantages, NDR is beneficial for IT teams. It offers heightened visibility into the network, assisting in diagnosing network issues and optimizing overall network performance.
NDR Empowers Zero-Trust Security:

The widely adopted zero-trust security model requires continuous verification of users, devices, and applications on the network. Achieving this verification is challenging without comprehensive visibility into the network, a task easily accomplished with NDR.

Which NDR tool is right for you?

Determining which NDR is right for your organization isn’t easy. It involves careful evaluation and planning to pick and deploy any new cybersecurity solution. If you are in the market for network detection and response, consider the Stamus Security Platform (SSP).

SSP is the world’s most advanced Suricata-based network detection and response (NDR) system. We combine the very best of machine learning, signature-based, IoC matching, and algorithmic threat detection into a single platform that identifies both known and unknown threats lurking on your network. To learn more about the Stamus Security Platform, view the following resources:

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