NDR Systems -

Network Detection and Response

Although SIEM provides log analysis from network devices, NDR delivers more advanced capabilities and tools for detecting and responding to threats in network traffic. Here are the key differences in favor of NDR:

a. Richer network traffic data – NDR records much more detailed metadata for every connection (e.g., the GCX system collects over 90 metadata fields per connection, while SIEM systems typically log only a few details such as source and destination address and port, hostname, application, and data volume).

b. Intuitive data visualization and analysis – Unlike SIEM, NDR data presentation mechanisms are tailored to the nature of network data: they offer fast filtering, searching, and “drill-down” capabilities. This significantly improves efficiency during alert analysis and incident response.

c. Advanced detection mechanisms – NDR uses richer data for analysis, which increases the likelihood of accurately detecting threats. Threat detection in SIEM is usually based only on simple correlation rules and reputation data.

d. Scalability and real-time context – NDR monitors all network traffic in real time and enables the identification of suspicious activity at the application and protocol layers. SIEM, due to its reliance on logs, provides only a fragmented and often delayed view of threats.

No, EDR alone is not enough. Although EDR monitors data sources that enable the detection of over 60% of the techniques and tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK® framework (currently the most comprehensive compendium of TTPs), it does not provide full coverage. To achieve the most complete monitoring of an organization’s attack surface, it is also necessary to use NDR systems (as the foundation for network traffic monitoring) and SIEM tools (collecting data from other sources, such as AD logs), as well as— in specific cases—various cloud security mechanisms.

While EDR is the best starting point, a well-secured organization cannot do without NDR.

If you are using an NGFW (Next Generation Firewall), the answer is yes—you may still need an NDR (Network Detection and Response) system. Although an NGFW analyzes network traffic for threats, it is not as specialized in detecting anomalies and advanced attacks as NDR.

On the other hand, for small companies where network traffic volume is low and budgets are limited, implementing a full-scale NDR system may not be cost-effective. In such cases, a well-configured NGFW can be sufficient. Deploying NDR makes the most sense in larger organizations, where scale, risk, and the complexity of the IT environment justify the investment.

It doesn’t have to be. Modern NDR solutions are designed so that deployment is fast and as non-intrusive as possible. In many cases, it is enough to start analyzing a copy of network traffic (e.g., from SPAN or TAP ports) without interfering with the existing infrastructure.

In addition, many organizations choose NDR as a service (MSSP), which means that configuration, monitoring, and technical operations are handled by an external team of specialists (in our case, SOC360). This allows companies to benefit from advanced threat detection without having to build and maintain their own SOC.

The main questions you should ask yourself are:

• What kind of visibility and/or protection do I want to achieve? Web applications? User connections to the Internet? Client–server communication? OT environments? Email?

• What is my main goal? Protection against ransomware? Detection of network anomalies? Malware protection? Monitoring user activity?

• Do I already have other security tools, or am I starting with NDR technology?

• Do I want NDR to actively block threats (in-line), or mainly monitor in detail and mitigate threats using other tools?

Once you know the answers to these key questions, you can dive into the details:

• Is my environment protected with encryption and network segmentation (VLANs)? If so, where is it applied and how does it relate to other parts of the network?

• Do I use VPN connections? If yes, where are they used, for what purpose, and where are they terminated?

• How many locations do I want to monitor?

• What is the daily volume of network traffic in the locations I want to monitor?

• In the locations where I want to monitor and respond to threats, do I have the ability to copy network traffic on switches or firewall devices (SPAN ports)?

• Do I have someone on my team who can handle monitoring using NDR, or do I want to outsource monitoring to an external company?

• What is the daily traffic volume in the locations I want to monitor?

• In the places where I want to monitor and respond to threats, do I have the ability to mirror network traffic on switches or firewall devices (SPAN ports)?