Breaking Down the Real Meaning of an XDR Solution
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This blog explores what to look for when choosing XDR. Learn 5
XDR is an all-in-one platform made to detect, investigate, and respond to threats across various vectors of security, not just endpoints but networks, servers, and cloud infrastructure as well.
The relevance of XDR in modern cybersecurity cannot be overstated. Understanding Open XDR vs Native XDR is crucial for organizations looking to implement comprehensive security solutions. XDR platforms facilitate more comprehensive threat detection by linking evidence across a wide range of security sources like endpoint, network and email-derived data. This unified approach reduces complications in managing security and further lowers the time taken to identify/respond to a threat, minimizing the impact on an organization.
In XDR there are two main categories: Open XDR and Native XDR. They both have the same objective, to add threat visibility and response capabilities but their mechanisms are different as well as architecture.
In this blog, we will compare Open XDR vs Native XDR by understanding their features as well as respective strengths and weaknesses to help you determine what would be the best XDR for you based on your own needs, infrastructure, and security goals.
Native Extended Detection and Response (XDR) is an all-inclusive threat detection and response solution provided by a single vendor.
This unified approach provides a cohesive security ecosystem integrating the vendor’s own tools (such as endpoint protection, network monitoring and threat intelligence) into one cohesive platform. Native XDR aims to help automate security operations and threat detection and response.
Open XDR stands for Open Extended Detection and Response: a threat detection and response solution that connects security functionalities across different vendor tools on one platform. Open XDR stands as vendor-agnostic and allows organizations the ability to integrate diverse security tools.
To find the best XDR solution, it’s essential to compare Open XDR and Native XDR to determine the right fit for your organization. Here is a detailed comparison to help guide your decision.
To better understand where Open XDR vs Native XDR solutions excel, let’s examine their specific use cases.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Open XDR supports multi-vendor systems and can integrate with current security systems. It is more flexible and can scale with the organizational needs. | Open XDR architecture can be more complex to deploy and maintain within the system. A proper expertise management is required. |
| Open XDR has more customization options and provides greater control by centralizing security operations for various solution. | Open XDR may have potential integration challenges between different tools. Hence the integration process can be complex and requires additional effort. |
| Open XDR saves from unnecessary vendor lock-in and provides the option to use the best tools for the company’s operations. | Open XDR requires management training to the security department for different tools and security systems in place. |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Native XDR provides streamlined solution which provides threat detection and response management through a single and consolidated interface. | Native XDR does not support all types of tools and hence the organization has to buy new tools and has abandoned the current tools in place. |
| Native XDR is easier to deploy and manage since it requires a single-vendor ecosystem. This saves time spent for managing and integrating heterogeneous tools. | Native XDR requires vendor lock-in and supports only a single-vendor ecosystem. Hence it works only in homogeneous solutions environment. |
| As there is no third-party tools in Native XDR, it provides real-time report for threats, uncover potential threats and has faster response time. | In Native XDR, a company has to implement new tools which can support the solution, the training has to be imparted for new tools and security solution comes in effect. |
When choosing between Open XDR and Native XDR, organizations should consider six key factors:
Infrastructure Complexity: Open XDR architecture works well for businesses with more security tools from different vendors as it can bring everything into one single view. On the other hand, Native XDR is for those who want to keep their configuration simple and integrated within a single-vendor ecosystem.
Customization Needs: Open XDR offers more flexibility, allowing teams to customize the use of tools as they adapt and change. Native XDR, while more rigid, is designed to optimize operational processes for a vendor’s own toolset.
Vendor Lock-In Tolerance: Businesses that want the versatility to switch or mix solutions should opt for Open XDR platform, providing third-party integrations. While Native XDR forces organizations to rely on a single vendor’s tool, limiting flexibility.
Security Team Expertise: Open XDR often requires more extensive knowledge for integration and customization management. Smaller teams with limited resources may benefit from Native XDR, which comes pre-configured.
Threat Visibility and Response Requirements: Open XDR provides broader visibility across diverse tools, which can improve threat correlation. Native XDR, optimized within a single ecosystem, may offer faster response times for vendor-specific threats.
Choosing between Open XDR vs Native XDR will depend on your security needs and IT infrastructure. Open XDR platform offers adaptability and broad integration for diverse toolsets, making it ideal for enterprises with existing investments in varied security tools. When comparing Open XDR vs Native XDR, organizations must carefully evaluate their specific needs and capabilities.
Fidelis Elevate® offers a strong, flexible XDR platform that seamlessly integrates with the existing IT environment. Fidelis Elevate® delivers an industry-recognized XDR platform that enables security teams to monitor and respond across endpoints, networks, cloud environments, and more. By choosing Fidelis, you get centralized visibility, threat intelligence that is richly augmented and security controls which can be tailored to suit the unique demands of your organization.
Fidelis Elevate® combines the strengths of Open XDR by providing the flexibility to integrate with your existing security infrastructure, ensuring that your team benefits from broader threat detection and faster response times. Whether you’re transitioning from a single-vendor system or building on a multi-vendor setup, Fidelis Elevate® equips you with the capabilities needed to protect against today’s advanced cyber threats.
Don’t let threats go unnoticed. See how Fidelis Elevate® helps you:
While XDR is the broader category of extended detection and response solutions, Open XDR specifically refers to a vendor-agnostic approach that allows integration with multiple third-party security tools. Open XDR provides greater flexibility in tool selection and integration compared to traditional XDR, enabling organizations to maintain their existing security investments while adding enhanced threat detection and response capabilities.
Yes, organizations can switch between Native XDR and Open XDR solutions, though the transition process varies in complexity. Moving from Native XDR to Open XDR typically requires careful planning to integrate existing security tools, while switching to Native XDR often involves replacing current security solutions with the vendor’s ecosystem. The decision to switch should be based on factors like infrastructure needs, resource availability, and long-term security strategy.
See Fidelis in action. Learn how our fast and scalable platforms provide full visibility, deep insights, and rapid response to help security teams across the World protect, detect, respond, and neutralize advanced cyber adversaries.