In the realm of cybersecurity, numerous acronyms and abbreviations are used to identify services and functionalities. Often, there’s a risk of confusion among these acronyms, and a lack of full understanding of their peculiarities and elements.

In this article, we delve into the key characteristics and distinctions between SOC, SIEM, EDR, NDR, XDR, and MDR.

Differences between SOC and SIEM

SOC stands for Security Operations Center, representing the operational team entrusted with the security of corporate IT systems.

It focuses not only on security operations (such as device security management) but also on threat and vulnerability management, proactive monitoring, and incident qualification.

SIEM, which stands for Security Information and Event Management, enables standardized consumption of log data from multiple security tools.

It provides extended monitoring using customized log sources, offering a comprehensive view of a vast amount of data by collecting and analyzing security events and contextual data sources. SIEM is suitable for companies aligning with privacy regulations like GDPR.

Interaction between SIEM and SOC

The Response phase management requires expertise that a dedicated team possesses in interpreting SIEM results and responding accordingly, implementing necessary countermeasures to block or contain potential cyberattacks on the corporate network.

This is the role of the SOC (Security Operations Center), which in its modern form, also leverages Threat Intelligence resources to process information from protection systems and take necessary response actions to safeguard the integrity of corporate services and resources.

EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response)

EDR monitors various endpoints (computers, smartphones, tablets, servers) but not the network system. The EDR software analyzes the behavior of monitored endpoints, particularly through behavioral analysis, allowing recognition of deviations from normal behavior or consistent patterns with common attacker behavior.

EDR enables companies to protect against known and unknown attacks by analyzing suspicious behaviors.

NDR (Network Detection and Response)

NDR software provides extensive visibility to the CyberSOC team across the network, detecting potential hidden attacks on physical, virtual, and cloud infrastructures.

It integrates EDR and SIEM tools and, more recently, has introduced selected log analysis using artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance raw network traffic analysis.

XDR (Extended Detection and Response)

XDR is an evolution of EDR, replacing EDR in the cybersecurity market. Using EDR as a base component, XDR seeks to combine the previously discussed approaches of EDR and NDR to help security teams solve visibility issues by centralizing, standardizing, and correlating security data from multiple sources.

Difference between SIEM and XDR

While SIEM functionalities can be used for a wide range of security needs, such as threat detection, compliance, incident management, risk analysis, and operational monitoring, XDR is more focused on threat detection and response.

SIEM can perform everything XDR does but adds additional features like reporting, compliance, and operational monitoring.

XDR focuses on a limited set of data sources and is ideal for low-volume, high-precision detections for automated correction.

MDR – Managed Detection and Response

MDR stands for Managed Detection and Response, a managed cybersecurity service that enables 24/7 proactive defense and monitoring of the digital environment through threat detection, response, analysis, and investigation.

The SOC as a Service by CyberTrust 365 and the Approach to Defense Against Attacks

CyberTrust 365 offers a SOC service in a 24/7 As a Service mode, consisting of synergistic interaction between SIEM, MDR, SOAR, and Threat Intelligence.

The goal is to provide companies with advanced-level protection characterized by intensive proactive detection and proactive analysis of potential threats (Detection), coupled with incident response activities (Response).

The added value of CyberTrust 365’s Detection activity allows staying ahead of the evolution of cyberattacks, protecting companies by detecting an attack before it manifests.