This is a comprehensive guide to Open XDR, a powerful technique to strengthen an organization’s attack surface. We will also review some of the best Open XDR platforms:
We live in a world today where our cybersecurity environment is constantly evolving. Everyday solutions are deployed to combat the latest threats only for new ones to pop up to surprise us.
As such, organizations have to constantly stand on their toes, especially when it comes to their security tech stack. There is no better way for organizations to protect themselves than to adapt to this changing environment.
Now usually, an enterprise will possess a security stack that boasts of several capabilities, such as SIEM, NDR, EDR, SOAR, etc. However, none of these capabilities worked together in perfect harmony.
Managing teams are thus saddled with the task of managing multiple tools, which can get overwhelming and result in poor threat detection and response.
Table of Contents:
What is Open XDR – A Complete Review
This is where Open XDR comes into play, presenting organizations with a technically feasible way to unify all the above-mentioned capabilities to better protect an entire attack surface area.
Open XDR is what we will focus on in this article today. We’ll take a deep dive to reveal key information surrounding Open XDR, how it works, what its benefits are, and how it fares when it is against its alternatives.
Before we jump into the meat of this article, however, let’s get familiar with XDR.
What is XDR
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Hailed as the next evolution of EDR, XDR or Extended Detection and Response is a security solution that combines telemetry sources like SIEM and network traffic analysis with more traditional methods of threat detection and response.
XDR systems facilitate consolidated threat detection, thanks to their ability to collect and correlate data from servers, endpoints, cloud workloads, and more. XDR can automatically detect stealthy threats with the help of advanced analytics.
This means that security teams don’t have to waste time constantly tweaking detection rules with an XDR solution by their side. Now there are two types of XDR solutions – Open or Hybrid XDR and Native or Closed XDR with the former being more powerful than the latter.
Open XDR
Open XDR represents a vendor-agnostic approach to XDR that consolidates an organization’s existing security environment and tools to facilitate data collection and analysis.
In other words, Open XDR takes a more unified, AI-powered approach to threat detection and response, wherein all security tools of an organization, from both native and traditional sources, are combined to strengthen an organization’s attack surface.
Open XDR protects the entire attack surface of an enterprise against all threats and it does so by integrating all existing security tools. This is also why Open XDR solutions are also labeled as Everything Detection and Response.
It is responsible for radically improving the detection and response process by simplifying an organization’s existing security stack.
How Does Open XDR Work
The primary purpose of Open XDR is to provide organizations with a single platform to protect against security threats. With an Open XDR solution, security teams do not have to rely on multiple tools that do not work well with each other, thus resulting in reduced administrative workload.
Open XDR unifies disparate tools like EDR, NDFW, CASB, IAM, CWP, and others within an organization’s security stack. Doing so essentially eliminates the silos between these varying security solutions.
This consolidation of multiple security solutions affords security teams the privilege to hunt and investigate threats across a multitude of data sources and initiate a response accordingly.
Simply put, Open XDR empowers organizations with a streamlined threat investigation process wherein the accuracy of threat detection is more consistent and the response to them is suitably agile.
Also, Read =>> Online Application Scanners to detect security vulnerabilities.
Best Open XDR Platforms You Can Try Today
Now that we’ve discussed at length about Open XDR, it would be fair to recommend a few platforms that are some of the best Open XDR platforms in the market today. These tools enable a threat detection and response process that allows any enterprise to protect its attack surface area effectively and efficiently.
So without much further ado, here is a list of 5 Open XDR platforms that your organization’s IT Infrastructure can benefit from.
#1) Stellar Cyber (Recommended)
With Stellar Cyber, you get an Open XDR platform that is easy to deploy and use. This intelligent threat detection and response platform effectively unify multiple disjointed security tools and several data sources to streamline the threat investigation process.
Simply put, this AI-powered tool can automatically hunt, identify, and appropriately respond to all types of threats.
Stellar Cyber also facilitates open integration for all your tools. Thanks to its open infrastructure, the platform is interoperable at any enterprise. The platform suitably leverages all data sources to create an enriched, interflowing data model that benefits both humans and AI.
Furthermore, the detections made by Stellar Cyber are based on raw interflow, thus resulting in the highest fidelity alerts.
The platform also comes with a built-in Native NDR. You can have Stellar Cyber set up and running in a matter of days. It can be deployed on-premise, in the cloud, or in a hybrid model. With smart AI and efficient automation, Stellar Cyber is undoubtedly the best Open XDR platform you can try to simplify your Ops and protect the entire attack surface area.
Features:
- Excellent support with an agile response.
- Tackle threats with automated responses.
- ML-based threat detection.
- Built-in Native NDR.
- Agile forensic analysis and threat hunting, thanks to a scalable and unified data lake.
- Open integrations for all security tools.
#2) Exabeam
Exabeam makes it to the list because it offers an effective fusion between SIEM and XDR, representing the very best that both these threat detection models can do. The platform enables security analysts to gather unlimited data logs, leverage behavioral stats to identify threats and generate incident responses automatically.
Features:
- Create custom stream flows in the text without any hassle.
- Continuous threat monitoring.
- Built-in integration with SIEM, sandboxing, and orchestration.
- Simplify a diverse range of SOC operations.
Website: https://www.exabeam.com/
#3) ReliaQuest
ReliaQuest is yet another Open XDR platform that is extremely simple to set up and can be deployed either on-premise or in the cloud. The software works phenomenally well at integrating different security and business solutions for rapid threat detection and response.
Plus, a round-the-year 24/7 security support team makes this tool one of the best Open XDR platforms today.
Features:
- Threat Detection, Investigation, and Response.
- Integrate seamlessly with the current technology stack.
- Generate business-relevant metrics to drive ROI.
- Facilitates reduced complexity and increased visibility.
Website: https://www.reliaquest.com/
#4) Hunters
Hunters come jam-packed with features that make Open XDR platforms great. It facilitates data ingestion and normalization from all across data sources at a predictable cost. It also plays a significant role in helping SOC reduce complexity and overcome issues of false-positive delivery, thanks to built-in detection engineering.
Features:
- Ingest massive amounts of data from across multiple resources.
- Up-to-date threat detection engine.
- Agile risk investigation and mitigation.
- Built-in data correlation and automation.
Website: https://hunters.ai/
#5) Securonix
Securonix comes pre-equipped with all the components you need for accurate, quick, and efficient threat detection and response. With Securonix, you get an Open XDR platform that was created in the cloud. It facilitates real-time data enrichment by well using its built-in connectors.
This, along with integrated SOAR capabilities, allows you to get a platform that can resolve incidents faster.
Features:
- Cloud-Native platform.
- Built-in connectors for real-time enrichment.
- Threat Content As-A-Service.
- Automated Incident Response Generation.
Website: https://www.securonix.com/resources/securonix-next-gen-siem-explained/
Benefits of Open XDR
Open XDR has established itself as an ideal option for organizations seeking a robust cybersecurity solution. From cost-cutting to reducing administrative burden, Open XDR has proven itself to be extremely beneficial.
Here are some of its most prominent benefits:
#1) Vendor-Agnostic Approach to XDR
Its defining characteristic is also one of its strongest merits. An Open XDR solution unifies multiple disparate security solutions that would have otherwise not worked well with each other into a single source.
This not only enhances an organization’s threat detection and response capabilities, but also helps them identify solutions that best cater to their needs. As such, they can continue to invest in those vendors and security tools that best serve their interests.
#2) A Scalable Solution
Open XDR tools don’t adhere to a single vendor. This is a crucial feature that makes such a solution highly scalable and flexible. They allow organizations to easily adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity. The Open XDR approach affords organizations the privilege to implement robust security solutions from a variety of providers anytime they wish.
#3) Improved Performance
As we mentioned before, Open XDR provides organizations with a single view into their company’s entire security stack. This lessens the burden on security teams who no longer have to waste time managing multiple tools, thus drastically improving their performance.
Suffice it to say, they are far more efficient at investigating, hunting, and responding to threats with an Open XDR solution than they would be otherwise while oscillating between multiple security solutions.
#4) Continuous Optimization
As an Open XDR tool collects security data in real-time, you are privy to instances where existing tools fail to gather data or deliver a false positive. Information will be provided to you immediately which you can leverage to ensure your existing security technology is continuously and appropriately optimized.
This ensures that issues like false positives or erroneous data collection are less frequent or eliminated.
#5) Saves Costs
An Open XDR solution simplifies the process of managing vendors as data is gathered and correlated in a single master view. This not only saves time but oodles of money on software licenses and seats. This is only possible due to the single point of access that an Open XDR grants to security analysts in an organization.
Open XDR Vs Native XDR
XDR falls into 2 broad categories. We’ve already introduced you to Open XDR, which is also known as hybrid XDR. The other model is called Native XDR. While Open XDR relies on third-party integration to execute detection and response actions, Native XDR integrates security tools from only one vendor.
Native XDR can be defined as an all-in-one streamlined solution as you get one platform that can perform all actions about threat detection and response. They are also very easy to deploy. The obvious downside of such solutions is the Vendor Lock-in.
A Native XDR tool can also suffer from visibility and protection gaps, which usually occur if relevant telemetry is not available from a single vendor.
The table below does a good job of drawing a clear line between the two XDR types:
| Open XDR | Native XDR | |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Gather data from various third party integrations across an organization’s entire security stack to execute threat response actions. | Relies on security tools from a single vendor to gather data and execute response actions. |
| Best for | Organizations with a massive IT security environment | Organizations with a relatively small security stack. |
| Pros | • Highly scalable • Flexible • Vendor Agnostic | • Quicker deployment • Streamlined, all-in-one TDIR solution, if appropriately integrated. |
| Cons | • Needs depth of third party integrations. | • Vendor Lock-In • Reliance on single vendor increase risk of protection gaps. |
Which of these solutions is right for your organization?
Native XDR is only suitable for organizations that possess a more homogenized IT infrastructure. We would recommend a Native XDR to organizations that harbor a small security environment and wish to expand it by introducing new security technology.
Open XDR, on the other hand, is ideal for organizations that harbor a large security environment. This could include multiple technologies from various vendors. Organizations that want to avoid the hassle of ripping and replacing existing solutions will adore Open XDR.
Open XDR Vs. SIEM and EDR
Both SIEM and EDR are effective security tools. There is only one major factor that distinguishes them from Open XDR. That difference mostly has to do with where they source their data from.
EDRs (Endpoint Detection and Response), for instance, collect data from various endpoints. They usually do so via an agent installed on a machine. They take a device-outward approach to gather data and alert security teams of possible suspicious activity transpiring on a particular device.
EDRs rely on machine learning and AI to hunt down threats on a device.
SIEM (Security Information and Event Management), on the other hand, takes a more expansive approach to threat detection and response. They don’t restrict their hunt to endpoints alone, instead collecting information from different sources like logs, servers, firewalls, and EDR sources as well.
An Open XDR is said to function optimally only when it gathers data from multiple security sources, which also include EDR and SIEM tools.
Further Reading =>> EDR Security Service provider companies
The table below will give you a clear picture of what distinguishes Open XDR and SIEM from each other:
| Open XDR | SIEM | |
|---|---|---|
| Data Location | It is generally assumed that data is not retained for long-term or can be retained anywhere | It is assumed that data is centralized. |
| Storage | Doesn’t assure long-term storage | Storage is infinitely scalable |
| Design Approach | Designed for efficient threat detection, investigation, and response | Designed for customizable emergency purposes. |
| Domain Coverage | Single Domain Coverage | Multi-Domain Coverage |
| Deployment Model | Mostly Cloud Delivered | Delivered On-Premise, in the cloud or hybrid mode. |
| Detection Method | Relies on ML-based analytics | Relies on correlation-based analytics |
| Market Position | Augments the capabilities of data lakes, legacy SIEM and other security tools, etc. | Replaces data lakes, legacy SIEM and other security tools. |
Which of these solutions is ideal for your organization?
In hindsight, we would recommend using EDRs if you wish to solely protect your endpoints. Alternatively, if you wish to expand your threat detection and response actions to other areas of your IT infrastructure, then SIEM is a better option.
If your organization harbors a massive security stack that also includes SIEM and EDR solutions, among other security tools, then nothing will serve your enterprise better than Open XDR.
Open XDR will gather and correlate data from both of these tools and present it to security analysts with the help of a single source, thus saving costs and radically reducing administrative workload.
Why Should You Use Open XDR
If we have to narrow down my reason for recommending Open XDR, it would ultimately boil down to one salient sentiment – convenience. One cannot argue that our cybersecurity landscape is becoming increasingly complex with each passing day.
To cope with this complexity, organizations are implementing multiple security tools to better protect their IT infrastructure.
While each tool has its strengths, managing multiple tools is proving to be quite ineffective and inefficient for even the most experienced security teams. Security analysts have to resort to manual sifting through data that is produced by different tools, thus not only harming their performance but also costing organizations valuable time and money.
An Open XDR serves as the perfect antidote to this problem that plagues organizations today across the globe. Its ability to unify telemetry from various tools across different vendors in a single source considerably reduces the burden on security analysts.
Recommended Reading =>> XDR Solutions and Services
These analysts get access to rich data coming from the entire security stack of an organization, thus extending their visibility all across their security environment.
Everything from detection of threats to agile incident response is drastically enhanced, thus resulting in a stronger IT infrastructure. It also helps that Open XDR is highly scalable, allowing you to integrate new security tools without hassle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does XDR work?
XDR’s main purpose is to collect and correlate data across multiple data sources. This includes networks, cloud workloads, servers, etc.
This data provides security analysts with proper context and insight into better combatting threats. Analysts can then proceed to efficiently hunt and mitigate those threats before they cause any serious damage.
Does XDR replace SIEM?
Although XDR can offer organizations intelligent threat detection and response, it still cannot replace SIEM.
SIEM can identify threats by analyzing data from all types of hardware and network applications at any time, so we would suggest not fully replacing it with XDR. XDR works better off with the capabilities of SIEM. As such, It just wouldn’t be wise.
Can XDR replace Antivirus?
Many experts consider XDR to be the future of endpoint security. However, this does not mean that it can serve as a complete alternative to an Antivirus program. Remember, an XDR tool leverages the data it gathers from antivirus platforms to strengthen a security stack so it should not replace tools like EDR or EDP.
Does XDR use AI?
Some XDR platforms leverage AI and ML algorithms to perform robust threat detection and response actions.
However, not all XDR platforms are born equal. A good example of AI-powered XDR would be a platform like Stellar Cyber, which we’ve recommended above as one of the best Open XDR platforms available for organizations today.
What is the difference between EDR and XDR?
EDR only focuses on protecting endpoints. It only facilitates threat visibility and detection for a particular device. XDR, on the other hand, goes beyond that integrating security across cloud computing, servers, endpoints, emails, and other solutions.
Conclusion
Open XDR platforms are something we would recommend to all organizations that manage a large security environment. It is something we believe your security team will embrace with open arms as it lessens their burden and boosts their performance.
Any enterprise can hope to save a lot of time and money with a reliable Open XDR platform by its side. For some tool recommendations, you can refer to the names we’ve mentioned above. Stellar Cyber is a particular favorite of mine. It can protect your entire surface as effortlessly as possible.
You’ll also be able to manage multiple capabilities like SIEM, TIP, NDR, etc. with a single license, thus considerably bringing down your organization’s expenses on security management.