EDR is a software solution that monitors endpoint activity, looking for signs of threat actor activity, and when something is discovered, it sends you an alert. Endpoints are devices and computing systems like laptops, desktops, servers, and mobile devices.

EDR solutions work by: 

• Logging all device activity in real-time.

• Analyzing behavioral activity to detect suspicious patterns or anomalies that might indicate malware or an attack in progress, like lateral movement or privilege escalation.

• Enabling automated responses to detected threats by isolating endpoints or killing malicious processes. 

EDR is the cybersecurity equivalent of upgrading from a deadbolt to a smart home surveillance system.

1. Ransomware attacks aren’t slowing down 

Ransomware attacks jumped by 37% last year. Bad actors count on the fact that you’re more likely to pay up and give in to their demands because you can’t afford downtime or a drawn-out investigation. EDR can help contain the attack, isolate affected machines, and limit damage for faster recovery.

2. Credential theft remains the golden ticket 

Stolen or weak credentials continue to be the easiest way in for attackers. Once inside, they move quietly and often remain undetected for months. What’s driving this? Phishing and social engineering are still the main culprits. In our survey of IT professionals about remote and hybrid cybersecurity, phishing and social engineering ranked among their top concerns. In fact, about one in four (27%) said that opening or downloading obvious phishing scams is the worst habit of remote and hybrid workers.  

EDR can detect and alert on suspicious behavior and login patterns on endpoints, even if the credentials used are valid. 

3. Shadow IT and remote work widen the attack surface 

Every new SaaS app, home Wi-Fi network, and BYOD device is a potential point of entry. Hybrid workforces and shifting environments are much bigger challenges for old perimeter-based security to keep up. EDR secures the endpoint itself, regardless of where it goes, even outside your corporate network.

EDR isn’t one-size-fits-all. Here’s what to look for in the best EDR tools for small businesses: 

• Ease of use: Can your in-house IT or Security team (or Managed Service Provider) deploy and manage it easily?

• Managed support: Does it come with security analysts who investigate alerts? 

• Response capabilities: Does it have isolation/shutdown capabilities to contain attacks in real time? 

• Affordability: Is it priced for SMBs or Fortune 500s?

Huntress Managed EDR strikes the balance between price, power, and support that most SMBs need.

If you’re doing an EDR price comparison, you may notice that vendors use different pricing models. Some include:

1. Per endpoint subscription pricing 

The vendor charges a monthly or annual subscription fee per endpoint (device) that the solution protects. While this pricing is simple and easy to budget, it can become expensive as the number of endpoints increases.

2. Tiered pricing 

Some vendors offer tiered pricing models with basic, standard, and advanced tiers. Each tier includes more features and support at a higher price point. This allows organizations to choose a tier that best matches their needs and budget.

3. Usage-based pricing 

A less common pricing model is usage-based pricing. In this model, the vendor charges based on the amount of data analyzed, the number of alerts generated, or the number of security events processed. This can provide more flexibility but may result in less predictable costs. 

4. Custom pricing 

In some cases, large enterprises with unique needs may receive a custom quote based on the size of their infrastructure, specific feature requirements, and desired service-level agreements (SLAs).

5. Add-on services

Add-ons are another element that can have cost implications. Many EDR vendors charge extra for 24/7 monitoring by a security operations center (SOC) or managed detection and response (MDR) service. These add-ons can drive up the price significantly, especially if around-the-clock monitoring or hands-on incident response isn’t included in the base package.

In a nutshell, EDR pricing can vary dramatically, but managed EDR providers like Huntress have more flexible, scalable pricing.

There are open-source EDR tools, but they require a lot of technical skill to manage and maintain. At the end of the day, most small businesses would rather just go with managed EDR than risk misconfiguration and overhead.

Most small businesses don’t have a 10-person SOC to house and maintain. That’s why Huntress built Managed EDR.

Huntress is an extension of your IT stack, without the need for any staffing on your end. Our team of analysts works to investigate threats, respond to incidents, and guide remediation without you having to do a thing. That means 24/7 detection and response by real humans that you can trust. That’s what makes Huntress EDR so powerful: easy-to-use isolation and remediation capabilities to stop threats in real-time. Plus, our pricing is transparent with no catches.

 Learn more about our Managed EDR solution.