Introduction
As cyber threats continue to grow in complexity and frequency, security teams are increasingly relying on advanced tools to detect, investigate, and respond to incidents. Three of the most commonly discussed solutions are EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response), XDR (Extended Detection and Response), and SIEM (Security Information and Event Management).
While these technologies are often mentioned in the same breath, they serve different purposes and are suitable for different use cases. This guide will help you understand the differences and determine which solution—or combination—is right for your organization.
EDR – Endpoint Detection and Response
What it is:
EDR solutions focus on detecting and responding to threats on individual endpoints such as laptops, desktops, and servers. They provide visibility into endpoint activity and can detect malicious behavior in real-time.
Key features:
- Continuous monitoring of endpoints
- Detection of suspicious behavior
- Forensic capabilities (process trees, timelines)
- Automated response actions (quarantine, kill process)
Best for:
Organizations looking for strong endpoint visibility and fast incident response. Ideal for small to mid-sized businesses with limited infrastructure but a need for quick reaction to endpoint-level threats.
XDR – Extended Detection and Response
What it is:
XDR builds upon EDR by extending visibility beyond the endpoint to include network, email, cloud, and identity data. It correlates telemetry from multiple sources to detect more sophisticated attacks.
Key features:
- Cross-domain threat detection
- Unified incident views
- Automated correlation of alerts
- Built-in response capabilities across different platforms
Best for:
Organizations looking for a more holistic view of their security posture. Especially useful for companies wanting an out-of-the-box integration between different security layers without the complexity of managing separate tools.
SIEM – Security Information and Event Management
What it is:
SIEM platforms collect, aggregate, and analyze log data from across the entire IT environment. They provide a centralized view of security events and are often used for compliance, auditing, and threat detection.
Key features:
- Ingest data from a wide variety of sources (firewalls, applications, databases, etc.)
- Correlation rules and custom alerts
- Threat hunting and investigation tools
- Long-term log retention for forensics and compliance
Best for:
Larger organizations with mature security operations (SOC teams), compliance requirements, and custom detection needs. SIEMs are powerful but require ongoing tuning, configuration, and skilled analysts.
So, When Should You Choose What?
| Use Case | Recommended Solution |
|---|---|
| Need fast detection/response on endpoints | EDR |
| Want visibility across endpoints, network, cloud, and more | XDR |
| Require custom rules, log correlation, and compliance | SIEM |
| Building a security stack from scratch | XDR (for easier integration) |
| Have a skilled SOC team and want full control | SIEM |
Conclusion
Choosing between EDR, XDR, and SIEM depends on your organization’s size, security maturity, regulatory needs, and available resources. In many cases, these tools can complement each other. For example, an EDR can feed data into a SIEM, and an XDR solution might be layered on top for unified threat detection.
Not sure where to start? Contact us for a personalized consultation and we’ll help you build a cybersecurity stack that fits your needs and budget.