In the world of cybersecurity, there are a lot of acronyms thrown around. Two of the most common ones you’ll hear are XDR and SOAR. But what do they stand for? And more importantly, what’s the difference between them?
XDR, or Extended Detection and Response, is a security solution that takes data from multiple sources and uses it to detect, investigate, and respond to threats.
SOAR, or Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response, is a security solution that uses automation and orchestration to streamline the response to security incidents.
So, what’s the difference? Let’s take a closer look.
XDR
One of the biggest cybersecurity threats organizations face today is business disruption. While most security measures are focused on keeping attackers out or cleaning up after an attack, detection is one area that’s often neglected. That’s where XDR comes in.
Basically, XDR is a cybersecurity solution that’s designed to detect and respond to attacks faster than without it. While many solutions are designed to detect threats, those with XDR technology are able to learn from past attacks and develop a better strategy to prevent future attacks based on those lessons.
Basically, XDR helps organizations:
Detect threats earlier, including malicious insiders
Detect more types of threats
Detect threats faster
SOAR
While XDR is great at detecting threats, it’s not so great at responding to them. That’s where SOAR comes in. While XDR can detect and respond to attacks, SOAR is more commonly used to respond to security incidents. It does this through automation and orchestration.
Automation can be used to:
Directly trigger response actions, like alerts, blocking malicious IPs, or notifying the team to isolate the incident to prevent it from spreading.
Orchestrate the response by directing other security solutions to block attacks or identify malicious actors. While both are great solutions for different parts of the security puzzle, SOAR’s automation is what makes it a great solution for responding to security incidents.
Which is right for you?
Both XDR and SOAR are great solutions. Depending on your needs, either one could be better for you. If you don’ have a lot of security talent, then XDR might be a better solution for you. It’s generally more affordable, and vendor-based solutions are easier to manage than built-in capabilities.
However, if you have a lot of security talent, then you might also have the personnel to handle a SOAR solution. In that case, an XDR solution might be more expensive and less customizable than a SOAR solution.
What’s the cost of an XDR or SOAR solution?
It’s difficult to pin down an exact cost for an XDR or SOAR solution. Both can range from inexpensive to quite expensive, depending on your needs and the software provider. Check out Shuffle, an open-source SOAR solution https://shuffler.io.