EDR is a cybersecurity tool that monitors and responds to threats on endpoint devices. MDR is a managed cybersecurity service in which security experts monitor, investigate and respond to threats for your organisation.

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The short version is:

  • EDR provides the security technology.
  • MDR provides the technology, security personnel and operating service.

MDR often uses EDR software as one of its detection technologies. It may also use data from networks, cloud workloads, identities, email and other systems. MDR services often include 24/7 monitoring, but coverage depends on the provider and contract.

MDR vs EDR at a Glance

Area EDR MDR
Full name Endpoint Detection and Response Managed Detection and Response
What it is Security software and endpoint telemetry A security monitoring and response service
Primary focus Laptops, desktops, servers and other endpoints Threat detection and response across the agreed environment
Who investigates alerts? Your internal IT or security team The MDR provider's security analysts
Monitoring Depends on your team and operating hours Usually continuous, often 24/7
Threat hunting A capability your team operates Usually performed by the provider
Incident response Your organisation manages the response with EDR support The provider investigates and may contain or remediate threats
Staffing required Internal security expertise is needed Less internal security staffing is required
Best suited to Organisations with an internal SOC or capable security team Organisations without enough security monitoring expertise

What Is EDR?

Endpoint Detection and Response is software that collects security telemetry from endpoint devices, detects suspicious behaviour and supports investigation and response.

An EDR platform can record:

  • Processes and command-line activity
  • File and registry changes
  • User logins
  • Network connections
  • Kernel and memory activity
  • Indicators of compromise
  • Behaviour associated with malware, ransomware or credential theft

Security teams use this information to investigate alerts, hunt for threats, isolate devices, stop malicious processes and remove malicious files. Microsoft describes EDR as providing behavioural telemetry, detection alerts, investigation capabilities and response actions across endpoints.

Buying EDR does not mean that a security analyst is watching every alert. Your organisation usually remains responsible for:

  1. Reviewing alerts
  2. Confirming whether activity is malicious
  3. Investigating the incident
  4. Deciding how to contain it
  5. Restoring affected systems
  6. Improving detection and security controls

Some EDR products include automated investigation and response. Those features extend what the software can do, but they do not create a staffed security monitoring service.

What Is MDR?

Managed Detection and Response is an outsourced security service that combines detection technology with human-led monitoring, investigation, threat hunting and incident response.

An MDR provider may:

  • Monitor security alerts and telemetry
  • Filter false positives
  • Prioritise genuine threats
  • Investigate suspicious activity
  • Perform proactive threat hunting
  • Contact your team when action is required
  • Recommend or perform containment
  • Help remediate affected systems
  • Produce incident reports and security guidance

NIST describes MDR providers as offering integrated security management and incident response services. The scope varies, so confirm whether a service includes active containment, remediation, threat hunting and 24/7 coverage.

MDR is sometimes described as "EDR as a service". That description leaves out the operational work. Many MDR services use EDR agents, then add human expertise, operating procedures, threat intelligence and response coordination.

The Main Difference Is Who Operates the Security Function

The main difference between EDR and MDR is responsibility.

With EDR, your organisation owns or licenses the platform. Your team receives the alerts, investigates incidents, decides how to respond and provides the necessary coverage.

With MDR, the provider operates the monitoring service. Its analysts investigate suspicious activity, hunt for threats and help coordinate or perform response actions.

Your organisation still retains responsibility for business decisions, legal obligations and system recovery. MDR reduces the operational workload, but it does not transfer every security responsibility to the provider.

An organisation can have capable EDR software and still have weak protection if nobody has the time or expertise to use it properly.

Does MDR Replace EDR?

Usually, MDR does not replace EDR. MDR commonly uses EDR as an underlying technology.

A typical MDR deployment may include:

  1. EDR agents installed on laptops, desktops and servers
  2. Telemetry sent to the provider's platform
  3. Automated analysis that identifies suspicious behaviour
  4. Human analysts who validate and investigate alerts
  5. A process for containment and remediation

MDR services do not all cover the same systems. Some providers monitor endpoints only. Others combine EDR with network detection, cloud security, identity monitoring, email security and SIEM data.

Evaluate the provider's stated coverage rather than relying on the MDR label alone.

Which Should You Choose: MDR or EDR?

Choose EDR If You Have an Internal Security Team

EDR can suit your organisation if you have:

  • A security operations centre or experienced security staff
  • Someone responsible for reviewing alerts each day
  • Established incident response procedures
  • The ability to investigate endpoint activity
  • Staff available outside normal business hours when needed
  • The budget and expertise to tune and maintain the platform

EDR gives an internal team detailed visibility and direct control over endpoint response. It also leaves that team responsible for operating the platform.

Choose MDR If You Lack Security Staff or Continuous Coverage

MDR can be a better fit if your organisation:

  • Has a small IT team
  • Does not have a dedicated SOC
  • Cannot investigate alerts consistently
  • Needs continuous monitoring
  • Wants access to threat hunters and incident responders
  • Needs help containing ransomware or other active attacks
  • Wants to improve security without hiring a complete security operations team

If your organisation cannot operate EDR effectively, MDR will usually provide more practical protection than buying EDR without the staff needed to use it.

Can You Use EDR and MDR Together?

Yes. EDR and MDR are often used together because EDR supplies endpoint visibility while MDR supplies the people and processes needed to act on it.

For example, an organisation might install EDR on its corporate laptops and servers, then give an MDR provider responsibility for:

  • 24/7 alert monitoring
  • Threat investigation
  • Threat hunting
  • Device isolation
  • Malicious file removal
  • Incident escalation
  • Post-incident recommendations

Your organisation can retain control over high-impact actions while allowing the provider to perform the initial investigation and containment.

What Should You Check in an MDR Service?

MDR does not guarantee the same level of coverage from every provider, so the service scope should be documented before you sign.

Confirm:

  • Whether monitoring is genuinely 24/7
  • Which devices and systems are covered
  • Whether cloud, identity, email and network data are included
  • Whether threat hunting is proactive or only alert-driven
  • Who investigates alerts
  • Who contacts your team during incidents
  • Whether the provider can isolate devices
  • Whether the provider can remove malware or make system changes
  • Which response actions require your approval
  • How quickly analysts are expected to respond
  • Whether incident response support is included in the subscription
  • What happens when the MDR contract ends

"Managed" should mean more than forwarding alerts to your inbox. The contract should define the provider's monitoring, investigation, escalation and response responsibilities.

EDR vs MDR: Final Verdict

Choose EDR when your internal team can own the alert queue, investigation and response process.

Choose MDR when you need an external security team to provide monitoring, threat investigation and response support.

For many small and mid-sized organisations, MDR built on EDR provides more usable protection than EDR purchased without the staff required to operate it.