EPP, XDR and MDR compared
Which solution is right for you?
Anyone looking for a new IT security solution quickly finds themselves in a jungle of terminology. Get a clear overview of what sets XDR apart from endpoint protection, what MDR/MXDR is, and which product is right for you.
EPP, XDR, MDR: Overview
XDR vs. MDR: What’s the difference?
What is Extended Detection and Response (XDR)?
XDR is the next evolution of Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR). EDR monitors suspicious behavior such as login activities or event logs. It thus already offers more protection than EPP. XDR goes even further: While EDR analyzes data only in isolation for each endpoint, XDR correlates data from all endpoints with one another. This allows for valuable insights into what is happening on the network. As soon as XDR flags something as suspicious, it responds—in some cases automatically (e.g., by isolating the device)—and generates an alert. This alert should be reviewed around the clock by a security team.
What is Managed Detection and Response (MDR)?
MDR—also known as MXDR—is a managed security service that handles all tasks for you. XDR alerts should be reviewed around the clock by security experts: Is suspicious behavior actually a threat? If so, the experts take countermeasures. If companies cannot hire their own security specialists to work 24/7 shifts, MDR/MXDR is the ideal solution: Experienced specialists in a Managed SOC evaluate the XDR alerts for you. They intervene as needed to block attackers—around the clock. Your involvement is required only in a few cases.
EPP, XDR, and MDR: A detailed comparison
Overview of G DATA solutions
| EPP | XDR | MXDR | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software development, support & service from Germany | |||
| 24/7 personal support from the TAM team—including remote maintenance | optional | optional | |
| Antivirus, DeepRay® AI technology, BEAST behavioral analysis, ransomware protection | |||
| For Windows, Linux, macOS | |||
| For Windows on ARM | |||
| Cross-device correlation & monitoring of network traffic | |||
| Check for suspicious logins | |||
| View the execution of suspicious processes | |||
| Web console in the browser without a dedicated management server | |||
| 24/7 analysis of suspicious incidents by experienced SOC analysts | |||
| Enrichment of incident data with threat intelligence | |||
| 24/7 defense against attacks by SOC analysts | |||
| Recommendations for action from SOC analysts | |||
| Incident First Response with IT forensic analysis |
EPP, XDR, MDR: Which solution is right for you?
EPP is ideal if you:
- are looking for basic protection for your endpoints
- have a limited IT security budget
have someone who reviews the software’s alerts
XDR is ideal if you:
- have high security requirements
- want to detect complex attacks across all devices
- have your own team to analyze incidents
MDR/MXDR is ideal if you:
- want round-the-clock protection
- don’t have your own 24/7 security team
- want experts to stop cyberattacks
Protect yourself with EPP, XDR, or MXDR from Germany
Whether EPP, XDR, or MDR—G DATA’s solutions are ideal for anyone who places special value on data protection and personalized support:
- Developed at our German headquarters
- Guaranteed to be free of backdoors
- SOC thoroughly familiar with our own XDR software
- Data storage in Germany
- Support from our German headquarters
What our customers say
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We can focus on core IT tasks and know that an experienced partner is taking care of IT security.
Moundji Merabet • Senior Manager Retail IT, Thalia
The collaboration between G DATA and our IT administration team also went extremely well. The attack was repelled within seconds, and the systems were cleaned up, patched, and brought back online that very same day.
Team Leader • IT Administration, GFA SysCom
I no longer receive a jumble of emails, but rather specifically analyzed incidents as tickets. This saves an enormous amount of time and stress. You don’t even notice when something happens, and that’s exactly how it should be.
Hans-Peter Fischer • IT Manager, Seaside Collection
We have set ourselves the goal of having our systems monitored around the clock, 365 days a year. [...] However, we lack the staff and the specialized expertise that a Security Operations Center possesses.
Sebastian Klein • Team Leader, City of Menden
Tested and awarded
Frequently asked questions about EPP, XDR, and MDR
EPP vs. XDR: What’s the difference?
Endpoint Protection (EPP) provides basic protection technologies and detects threats on individual devices. Extended Detection and Response (XDR) additionally analyzes processes and events across multiple devices. This allows XDR to detect attacks that span multiple devices and would otherwise go unnoticed on a single endpoint. A dedicated management server is required to manage EPP. You can easily manage XDR via a cloud-based web console in your browser—without needing a dedicated management server. Updates are automatic.
MDR vs. XDR: What’s the difference?
XDR is a technical solution that aggregates security data from various devices, detects threats, and responds to them automatically—for example, by quarantining a suspicious file. In most cases, additional analysis by experts is needed to determine whether suspicious behavior actually poses a threat—and how to eliminate it permanently. However, some companies cannot hire their own IT security specialists to work 24/7 in shifts. This is where Managed Detection and Response (MDR) comes into play: Experienced security experts evaluate the XDR alerts for you and intervene as needed to block attackers—around the clock. G DATA offers this service as MXDR.
Are XDR and MXDR mutually exclusive, or can the solutions be combined?
XDR is the software; MXDR is the accompanying service. With XDR, your own IT team evaluates and handles the reported incidents. With MXDR, security experts in a Managed Security Operations Center (SOC) take over these tasks around the clock.
Does MXDR help meet compliance requirements such as NIS2 or BSI Basic Protection?
MXDR helps companies meet requirements for attack detection, continuous monitoring, and response to security incidents. As a result, the service can make an important contribution to compliance with the NIS 2 Directive or the BSI’s Basic Protection framework. However, full compliance always depends on all technical and organizational measures within the company.
Which solution is right for medium-sized businesses—XDR or MXDR?
This depends primarily on the company’s own resources. XDR is suitable for companies with an IT team capable of evaluating and handling security alerts on their own. If time, personnel, or specialized expertise are lacking, MXDR offers additional protection: G DATA’s security experts monitor the systems and respond to attacks around the clock.
What should you look for when choosing between XDR and MXDR?
For both solutions, a trustworthy provider is crucial. A headquarters in Germany is an important indicator of high data protection and security standards. With MXDR, the provider should also ideally develop the XDR software used in-house. This ensures that analysts have a thorough understanding of the technology and can reliably evaluate alerts. With third-party software, on the other hand, there is a risk that alerts will be misinterpreted. G DATA develops its own XDR technology and operates the MXDR service from its German headquarters.
Can you test XDR and MXDR?
Yes, you can test both G DATA XDR and G DATA MXDR for free and with no obligation. This allows you to experience the features and workflows in practice and better assess which solution meets your needs.