In today’s changing and evolving threat landscape, cybersecurity has evolved beyond adding a firewall to your organization’s network edge. In fact, having an antivirus also doesn’t protect your organization from advanced threats.
Leading enterprises and innovative SMB owners are opting for advanced and intelligent threat solutions. One such solution is XDR or Extended Detection and Response. It’s a resilient and smart platform that unifies all security endpoints of an organization to provide a more sophisticated approach.
XDR is an advanced cybersecurity platform that unifies everything from endpoint, cloud, and company networks. Here’s a simplified description of what XDR stands for in your security team.
What is XDR in Cybersecurity?
XDR is a cybersecurity platform that collects and correlates security data from different endpoints, cloud services, and networks.
According to leading XDR platform vendor Sangfor, “XDR pulls data from different security devices together from a single vendor under a single (preferably cloud-based) management function that provides consolidated status, views, operation
s, and response for an environment.” XDR helps cybersecurity and IT professionals break the silos of different cybersecurity tools already in use in the organization. It unifies different endpoint security tools and provides a 360° visibility over the entire organization.
Powered by AI and machine learning, XDR security platforms detect abnormal patterns, connecting the dots across different data systems. It transforms cryptic alerts into actionable incidents.
The real strength of the XDR platform lies in detecting unknown and stealthy attacks such as ransomware and zero-day exploits—and responding instantly, sometimes without manual intervention.
Key Advantages of XDR
- Holistic threat detection across all environments
- Improved analyst productivity with AI and automation
- Reduced mean time to detect (MTTD) & respond (MTTR)
- Lower operational costs vs. siloed tools
Common Misconceptions about XDR
- Confusion with MDR:
- XDR = a technology/platform
- MDR = a managed service built on top of tools
- Clarify that XDR is not just for service providers; enterprises can deploy directly
- Dispel myths that a separate SOC location or extra licenses are required.
What to Consider When Choosing an XDR Vendor?
Choosing the right XDR vendor shouldn’t be difficult. Here are some things to consider when you’re scouting for vendors:
Detection Capabilities: Look for advanced XDR platforms that can detect both known and unknown threats. Ensure the platform supports centralized data normalization, correlation of alerts, and automated incident response.
Integration Approach: Open-source platforms that can accommodate a multi-vendor work environment are best. Choose XDR solution providers that may not require replacing existing tools.
Automation & SOC Support: Check out the level of built-in automation, threat hunting tools, and playbooks. Consider if the vendor offers managed XDR services or constant support 24/7.
Performance & Scalability: Having lots of features and capabilities may seem like an upside. However, sometimes, a vendor fails to provide what they promise. Check out the performance and capabilities of the XDR platform with heavy data volumes. Additionally, check if it’s scalable as per the company’s needs.
Pricing Transparency: The pricing model must be transparent and include a detailed explanation of how the vendor is charging you. Popular pricing models are built around per endpoint, per user, or data volume-based frameworks.
Spotlight: Sangfor Athena XDR
Sangfor Athena XDR is a cybersecurity solution with an innovative and customer-centric approach. It embodies Sangfor’s commitment to provide actionable intelligence and insight and help streamline threat response.
Key Features of Sangfor Athena XDR
The following are the key features of Athena XDR
- Security GPT: A generative AI assistant trained to analyze vast security telemetry, detect unknown threats, and provide plain-language insights. Analysts can ask natural questions like “show me top threats this week” and get an easy-to-understand and concise answer right before their eyes.
- AI-Driven Analytics: Purpose-built engines detect advanced threats (e.g., ransomware, fileless attacks) with over 99% accuracy in under five minutes. These engines learn behavioral patterns to spot anomalies early.
- Complete Security Visibility: Athena XDR ingests data from the network, endpoints, servers, cloud sources, and different third-party tools. It eliminates all the blind spots and enhances threat detection.
- Automated Response: Supports playbooks that isolate threats, patch vulnerabilities, and trigger containment actions — even during off-hours.
- Operational Efficiency: Sangfor Athena XDR reduces false positives and helps IT experts in their clients’ organizations. It reduces investigation time significantly, thereby providing a more productive work environment to IT experts.
Sangfor normalizes simplicity and adaptability in its cybersecurity solutions. Athena XDR is a stark example of a simplified and actionable cybersecurity solution tailored to the needs of different types of organizations.
Unifying Security for a Safer Future
The time of disconnected, reactive cybersecurity is gone. It’s no longer enough to have a firewall and antivirus protecting your network and devices. Your organization needs something far superior to detect and identify threats at different ends.
That’s why XDR is the ideal solution. It unifies your organization’s threat detection process and provides your IT team with real-time insights on what needs their attention. In fact, it’s a tool that future-proofs your organization’s approach to security and helps keep your internal operations intact.
You can choose to equip your organization with a simplified XDR platform powered by Sangfor Athena. Still have more queries about XDR platforms? Visit Sangfor’s website to get your doubts resolved!
