Is a Firewall an EDR? Let's Find out

Today, your organization needs to stay proactive in its cybersecurity approach. Because cyber criminals try different methods to attack your organizations. More than 55,000 brand new malware detected every day

So, when it comes to dealing with threats, your organization has to rely on different security solutions.

Traditional solutions include antivirus and Fire wall, known as the first line of defense, while an extra layer of security can be created through EDR and EPP. Since you have limited financial resources, you can only invest in some solutions.

You may wonder whether Fire wall works like an EDR, or maybe they are the same; if they are, you can pick one to prevent threats. If you have all these questions, it's time to get their answer below.

Is a Firewall an EDR? Explained

Not, Firewall is not an EDR. They are two completely different solutions, but their main purpose is to prevent threats and keep bad actors out of your business network. But it would be best to dig deep into both options to learn more about them.

What is an EDR?

It is an acronym used for Endpoint Detection and Response. It is the most popular endpoint security solution that continuously monitors all the endpoints such as laptops, smartphones, servers, network architecture, and virtual environment.

Is a Firewall an EDR?

This endpoint security solution is a complete set of tools used to detect, prevent, analyze, and respond to threats on all endpoints. As soon as this tool detects a threat, it sends an alert to IT Administrator, that can further analyze the incident. Besides, this endpoint agent can generate automatic responses to protect your system from malicious attacks.An Endpoint protection tool is integrated with machine learning, root cause analysis, signature-based detection, automation, containment, remediation, and Artificial intelligence tools. Your security team can handle known and unknown threats through this tool.

What is a Firewall?

On the other hand, a firewall is a security fence created all around your business network. It protects your network by tracking all the traffic entering and existing it. This software monitors all the traffic coming in and out of your networks.

System administrators can restrict what goes in and comes out. It empowers the IT Admin to block suspicious IPs and set some rules that only safe traffic will access your system. For example, you assign an employee ID and password; now, only when they use those IDs and passwords can they access the system; otherwise, they cannot. It's how you keep unauthorized personnel out of your system.

You can easily prevent unauthorized use of your system through the software. It's quite effective in dealing with certain threats but ineffective in handling all the advanced cyber attacks on your business.

Is a Firewall an EDR? Let’s Compare

A firewall offers network-wide protection, while EDR brings endpoint protection. Here are some main differences between both security solutions.

Sophisticated threats

When you have installed a firewall and antivirus solution, they help you keep some known malware out. But a firewall can't work like an EDR. It's good for keeping your network secure from unwanted traffic.

However, this software only effectively offers comprehensive protection across some endpoints. It would be best if you relied on an EDR regarding endpoint security. This tool lets you monitor your system in real time and defend the system against both file-less and file-based threats.

Security Alerts

A firewall is good for blocking traffic based on pre-defined rules. Thereby, many threats slip through this first line of defense. If your endpoint has an EDR, it won't let a new threat affect or disrupt your overall business.

It monitors endpoint activities, and when any endpoint is compromised, it will readily send alerts to IT Administrator. As a result, your team can respond to a threat. You won't get such threat alerts from the Firewall, though.

What Solution do You Need?

You know that Firewall works differently than an endpoint detection tool. Now the next question is whether you need one or both solutions. Your organization should create a cybersecurity approach where your system is secured with fire wall plus EDR. Fire wall helps you secure your network and keep unwanted traffic away.

On the other hand, the Endpoint detection and response tool will offer a multi-layered approach. For example, XcitiumEDR allows your team to enjoy deep visibility into all behavioral activities of endpoints so that they can readily detect and prevent the most sophisticated threats and attacks. Through this software, you can tackle file-less attack, which is hard to detect.

Is a Firewall an EDR? Wrap up

Finally, you understand that Fire wall is not an EDR. And your organization should get both solutions to create a multi-layered security approach. It means you can create a strong defense against threats of all kinds through them.

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