EDR vs MDR vs XDR: What Your Business Actually Needs

EDR, MDR, XDR—the acronyms pile up, and vendors push their own definitions. Here’s a clear breakdown of what each means and when it makes sense for your organization.

Definitions

EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) is an agent that runs on endpoints—laptops, servers, workstations—collecting telemetry, detecting threats, and alerting when something looks suspicious. You get the software and the alerts; your team investigates and responds. MDR (Managed Detection and Response) adds human analysts who monitor your EDR 24/7, triage alerts, hunt for threats, and often handle containment and remediation. You get detection plus response as a service. XDR (Extended Detection and Response) correlates data across endpoints, email, cloud, and network to provide broader visibility and faster detection of multi-stage attacks.

When Each Makes Sense

EDR fits if you have an internal security team with the capacity to monitor, triage, and respond around the clock. If your team works business hours only, you’re exposed when alerts fire at 2 AM or on weekends. MDR fits most SMBs—you get enterprise-grade detection and response without hiring a SOC. XDR suits complex environments with multiple clouds, hybrid infrastructure, and a need for cross-platform correlation. It’s powerful but typically requires more investment and maturity.

Why Most SMBs Need MDR

EDR software alone generates hundreds of alerts. Without analysts to filter noise, tune detections, and act on real threats, alerts either go unanswered or get ignored. MDR provides the human layer: trained analysts who know what to prioritize, when to escalate, and how to contain a breach. For most SMBs, MDR is the right balance—you avoid the cost of an in-house SOC while getting 24/7 protection that actually works.