What are XDR Sensors?
This core structural feature of an eXtended Detection and Response (XDR) system is typically referred to as an XDR sensor. These sensors are instruments or agents that are placed throughout an organization’s environment, from endpoints to networks, from cloud infrastructures to applications. Their main role is to gather, track, and process activity data in real-time. Such data aids in identifying and correlating the potential threats to deliver actionable insights that enable quicker, more precise responses.
“XDR sensors are like the system's eyes and ears, constantly watching and connecting data from different parts of an organization to detect threats.”
Features of XDR Sensors
XDR sensors include advanced features that improve visibility and help to prioritize threat detection:
- Continuous Monitoring: With sensors running 24/7, monitoring system activity for anomalies and potential security events.
- Integration with Threat Intelligence: They leverage real-time threat feeds to improve their accuracy in detecting known and emerging threats.
- ML-Powered Functionalities: Such tools allow sensors to process large datasets and detect behaviors that may lead to attacks.
- Cross-Environment Compatibility: XDR sensors are built to operate smoothly across endpoints, networks and cloud environments.
Role of Sensors in Collecting and Correlating Data
XDR sensors are designed to capture information from various sources, such as access logs related to files, network traffic, and actions within the host. Then this data is fed into the XDR platform, where advanced analytics and machine learning algorithms help identify links between disparate events. For example, strange activity on an endpoint could be associated with dubious traffic happening on a network, giving a complete perspective on an ongoing attack. By connecting the dots between this data, XDR sensors help shorten the time from threat detection to proactive response to attacks.
XDR sensors are the core of any XDR solution, with their advanced monitoring capabilities and smart data correlation.
How XDR Sensors Work?
XDR sensors are constantly working in the background to collect, process, and analyze data from various parts of an organization’s IT ecosystem. XDR sensors work in four major steps, here’s a closer look at how they function:
1. Data Collection Across Endpoints, Networks, and Cloud Environments
XDR sensors are distributed across the critical layers of an organization’s infrastructure for broad data collection:
Endpoints: Sensors track activities on desktop, laptop, and server devices. However, they do log user interaction, file changes, used applications and system processes. This allows for early identification of things like unauthorized software running or suspicious behaviors that may signify malware.
Networks: Sensors study traffic on the network and scrutinize both incoming and outgoing data packets to catch patterns that are common in breaches or unauthorized access. For instance, a sudden increase in outbound traffic to an unknown location could signify data exfiltration.
Cloud Environments: For assets in the cloud, sensors capture all interactions, access logs, and flows of data between applications and users. These sensors make sure dynamic and ephemeral cloud environments are also surveilled for possible attack surfaces.
2. Detecting Threats Through Behavioral Analysis and Threat Intelligence
Once it has obtained its raw data the XDR sensors take things to the next level beyond basic logging with complex analytical methods.
Behavioral Analysis:
Sensors utilized machine learning (ML) models and established baselines as its foundation for gauging the behavior of users, systems, and applications. For example, a person downloading many files late at night may be flagged for behavioral outliers. Behavioral analysis enables sensors to detect when normal activity has been disrupted by signs of a potential attack, like ransomware encryption or privilege escalation.
Threat Intelligence Integration:
XDR sensors leverage global and local threat intelligence feeds to detect known attack patterns and malware signatures and indicators of compromise (IOCs). This aids in identifying emerging threats that have similar traits as prior cyber incidents. This integration enables the eXtended Detection and Response solution to block threats before significant damage occurs.
3. Correlation and Prioritization of Alerts
After a threat or anomaly has been identified individually, the XDR platform sensors collaborate to correlate events across domains.
For example:
An endpoint alert for suspicious file execution may correlate to odd network activity detected by a network sensor. Such events may be seen as part of a coordinated attack.
By correlating data, it eliminates false positives and reduces alert fatigue, filtering out everything except what needs immediate action.
4. Real-Time Updates and Proactive Defense
XDR sensors deliver real-time updates, so organizations are always one step ahead of attackers. Self-learning advanced sensors evolve their detection capabilities in response to new data, changing behaviors, and global threat models. This renders them indispensable in the fight against both known and unknown threats.
Fidelis' Approach to XDR Sensors
Fidelis Elevate® XDR platform takes XDR sensors to the next level, offering insight into on-premises and cloud environments as well as advanced threat detection capabilities.
Fidelis XDR sensors’ ultra-fast 20 GB 1U sensors help expert teams identify complex threats in nested files, encrypted communications and containerized workloads. It also actively maps the organization’s attack surface, creating a constantly refreshed asset inventory with enhanced risk profiling to detect and prioritize threats in a layered manner.
Among its online capabilities is Deep Session Inspection, which looks at traffic on all ports and protocols. As a result, Fidelis XDR sensors can identify protections missed by other tools.
Beyond threat detection, Fidelis Elevate® continuously maps an organization’s complete digital footprint, producing a real-time inventory of assets augmented with risk profiling. This allows security teams to quickly identify vulnerabilities and prioritize their responses.
Traditional tools aren’t enough to combat modern threats. Discover how Fidelis Elevate® helps you:
- Detect and respond faster with unified threat visibility
- Minimize risk with automated, scalable security
- Protect across endpoints, networks, and cloud environments
Frequently Ask Questions
What are XDR sensors, and why are they important?
XDR sensors are an integral part of XDR systems, responsible for gathering and analyzing data from endpoints, networks, and cloud infrastructure. They give complete visibility that allows organizations to detect, correlate, and respond to threats across multiple attack surfaces. These XDR sensors help strengthen the gaps in traditional security solutions and they also add further real-time threat detection and response capabilities for threat mitigation.
What technologies do XDR sensors use to detect threats?
XDR sensors also employ advanced methods including machine learning, behavioral analysis, and the integration of threat intelligence. Machine learning assesses anomalies and patterns that may suggest threats, whereas behavioral analysis examines potential deviation from normal activities. Threat intelligence provides real-time insights into known attack methods and emerging threats, ensuring that sensors can effectively identify and prevent cyberattacks.
Can XDR sensors detect insider threats?
Yes, XDR sensors can detect insider threats by monitoring user behaviors, access patterns, and unusual activities across an organization’s infrastructure. By correlating data from multiple sources, such as endpoints and networks, they identify anomalies like unauthorized file access or privilege escalations. This makes XDR sensors a powerful tool for addressing threats originating within the organization.
