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What Is Network Detection and Response (NDR)?
Network Detection and Response (NDR) is a cybersecurity solution that continuously monitors network traffic in real time to detect malicious activities.
Leveraging machine learning, behavioral analytics, and deep packet inspection, NDR identifies hidden threats across both internal (east-west) and external (north-south) traffic, delivering timely alerts to enable for swift incident response.
Why Network Detection and Response Matters?
- Acts as an Early Warning System for Advanced Cyber Threat Detection Before Attacks Occur
- Provides Full Network Visibility Including Cloud Environments and IoT Device Security Monitoring
- Reduces Security Operations Center (SOC) team’s Alert Fatigue with AI- Powered False Positive Reduction
- Supports Efficient Threat Hunting, Regulatory Compliance, and Digital Forensic Investigations in Cybersecurity
How Does Network Detection and Response Work?
Traffic Capture Method:
Most of the NDR tools use taps and SPAN ports to monitor network traffic without disruption, enabling continuous, real-time visibility into data flows while maintaining performance and staying undetectable to attackers.
Threat Detection:
NDR tools trigger alerts by identifying anomalies, matching known threat indicators, and spotting policy violations in network traffic. This enables rapid detection of malware, data leaks, and potential insider threats by analyzing unusual behavior patterns across users, devices, and network activity, enhancing overall threat visibility and response.
Automated and Manual Response:
When a threat is detected, NDR tools alert the security team in real time. While some systems offer automated actions such as blocking malicious traffic or isolating compromised segments, many rely on manual intervention to respond effectively. This is addressed through seamless integration with SOAR platforms, which streamline and automate response processes to accelerate threat containment and remediation. Simultaneously, SIEM systems aggregate and analyze security data, providing comprehensive contextual insights that enhance NDR detection.
Continuous Learning:
NDR systems continuously refine their detection models using real-time threat intelligence, behavioral data, and evolving attack patterns. This ongoing learning reduces false positives, enhances alert accuracy, and allows security teams to focus on genuine threats more effectively.
Threats NDR Identifies
NDR tools detect threats mapped to the MITRE ATT&CK framework by analyzing anomalies, known indicators, and behavioral patterns across network traffic.
- Lateral movement
- Malware
- Ransomware
- Brute force attacks
- Data Exfiltration
- Malicious network traffic flows
- Unknown or Unmanaged devices
Key NDR Features
| Feature | What It Delivers |
| Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) | Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) |
| Network Traffic Visibility | Monitors all internal and external network activity |
| Encrypted Traffic Analysis (ETA) | Spots anomalies in encrypted traffic without decryption |
| Real-Time Alerts & Response | Detects and responds to threats instantly |
| ML & Behavioral Analytics | Uses machine learning to detect anomalies in device, user, and network behavior for early threat detection |
What is the difference between EDR and NDR?
| EDR | NDR | |
| Aspect | EDR (Endpoint Detection & Response) | NDR (Network Detection & Response) |
| Focus | Individual devices (endpoints) | Entire network traffic |
| Monitors | Files, processes, system events on endpoints | Data flow between devices, servers, network segments |
| Threat Detection | Malware, suspicious behavior on endpoints | Lateral movement, anomalies, network-based attacks |
| Response | Isolates or remediates affected devices | Blocks or flags malicious traffic on the network |
What is the difference between XDR and NDR?
| XDR | NDR | |
| Aspect | XDR (Extended Detection & Response) | NDR (Network Detection & Response) |
| Focus | Endpoints, cloud, apps, and network for faster, coordinated security. | Network traffic and communication analysis |
| Coverage | Unified threat detection across the entire IT environment | Network-centric threat detection |
| Complexity | More complex, needs integration across systems | Easier to deploy, cost-effective |
| Response | Automated, cross-layered threat response and investigation | Detects and blocks threats at the network level |
Conclusion
Network Detection and Response (NDR) gives security teams real-time, packet-level visibility to detect and stop threats before they escalate into serious breaches. By leveraging behavioral analytics and deep packet inspection, NDR uncovers hidden threats, detects lateral movement, and alerts teams to suspicious activity as it happens without disrupting operations.
For organizations looking to stay ahead of today’s complex cyber threats, NDR is no longer optional; it’s essential.
Do you want to see how it works?
Explore our live demo and discover how Vehere NDR can strengthen your network security posture and give your team the edge it needs.