What is Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) — and Why Your Business Needs It
Gone are the days when a basic antivirus was enough to keep your business protected.
Today’s cyber threats are faster, more sophisticated, and designed to bypass traditional defences. That’s why Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) has become a critical tool in modern cybersecurity — and why we recommend it to all our clients at Beyond.
What is EDR?
EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) is an advanced cybersecurity solution that continuously monitors your endpoints — like laptops, desktops, and servers — for suspicious activity.
Rather than just blocking known viruses like traditional antivirus, EDR:
Detects unusual behaviour (like ransomware activity or privilege escalation)
Automatically isolates infected machines to protect your network
Provides detailed alerts and logs for forensic analysis
Helps you respond to incidents in real-time
Think of it like an intelligent security guard for every device in your business — always watching, always learning, and always ready to act.
Antivirus vs EDR: What's the Difference?
| Feature | Traditional Antivirus | EDR |
|---|---|---|
| Signature-based detection | ✔ | ✔ |
| Behavioural analysis | ✘ | ✔ |
| Real-time response | ✘ | ✔ |
| Threat isolation | ✘ | ✔ |
| Forensics & audit trail | ✘ | ✔ |
If antivirus is like a locked door, EDR is the motion-sensor alarm with CCTV and backup — designed for today’s threat landscape.
Why EDR is Essential in 2025
Ransomware evolves daily, using tactics that bypass standard AV
Remote and hybrid work means endpoints are often off-network and vulnerable
Zero-day attacks are becoming more common — and EDR doesn’t rely on known signatures
Insider threats and stolen credentials can only be stopped with behavioural monitoring
Beyond Tip! The Cyber Essentials framework requires anti-malware protection on all devices. EDR not only meets this requirement — it goes far beyond it.
What About Compliance?
Many insurers and regulators now expect EDR as part of a modern cyber strategy.
If you're applying for Cyber Essentials Plus, your systems must demonstrate the ability to detect and respond to threats — and EDR is one of the easiest ways to achieve that.
Final Word
If your business is still relying solely on basic antivirus, you’re under-protected.
With EDR in place, you gain:
Faster threat detection
Immediate containment of attacks
Lower risk of data breaches
Peace of mind — knowing your endpoints are being watched 24/7
Want to upgrade your endpoint security today?
Talk to us today — we’ll deploy managed EDR across your business, align it with Cyber Essentials whether you’re certified or not, and give you true cyber peace of mind.