X/NDR: Breaking Down the Next Big Thing in CyberSafety

Network detection and response (NDR) technology and its extended detection and response (XDR) counterpart have garnered significant attention within network security circles, particularly among large government, finance, energy, and education organizations seeking proactive network protection against both known and unknown threats.

In today’s cybersecurity environment, two fundamental realities persist: cyberattacks continue increasing in size, scope, and sophistication—and the attack surface has expanded dramatically due to IoT proliferation, rapid digital transformation, and accelerated remote work adoption.

Despite these challenges, the security industry has emphasized threat hunting over threat prevention. However, recent years have witnessed substantial growth in network detection and response (NDR) and extended detection and response (XDR) sectors, representing “a shift to proactive, anticipatory CyberSafety – much different than reactive, often too-little, too-late CyberSecurity.”

According to Gartner, global NDR revenue expanded 23% in 2020, with expectations for continued growth.

What is X/NDR technology, and how does it work?

NDR technology enables organizations to monitor network traffic for malicious actors and suspicious behavior using machine learning. The platform analyzes traffic to establish a baseline representing normal network behavior, using historical data to assess current threats. By monitoring both north/south and east/west traffic, potential threats become more identifiable.

Upon detecting threats, NDR technology informs security teams of event scope, severity, and malicious likelihood. Multiple threats are ranked by risk level, with suggested remediation actions and automated response capabilities.

XDR extends NDR functionality by collecting threat data from an organization’s entire extended network—including network, endpoint, and cloud data across all nodes and devices—orchestrating this information into a unified security view. While NDR provides ground-level visibility, XDR offers aerial perspective through “a single pane of orchestration.”

What are the benefits of X/NDR technology?

Greater visibility: X/NDR technology transforms the industry’s “single pane of orchestration” concept from myth to reality by consolidating siloed security solutions into an integrated view focused on critical events.

Improved threat detection and response: Machine learning-dependent X/NDR security tools analyze patterns and learn from them to prevent similar attacks. Network behavior changes trigger immediate detection and response, helping identify “the stealthiest of attacks – the ‘Unknown Unknowns.’”

Operational efficiency: While traditional security operation centers (SOCs) require substantial human resources, qualified security professionals remain scarce. X/NDR platforms enable organizations to assess entire threat landscapes at a glance, with automated suspicious-traffic detection, reducing SOC staffing expenses and complexity.

Ease of use: Quality X/NDR solutions operate agnostically, layering atop existing security stacks without service disruption.

What industries can benefit from X/NDR technology?

Government: Local governments managing water utilities, airports, and healthcare facilities often struggle with limited IT departments, outdated systems, and constrained budgets. X/NDR provides holistic network security visibility and data breach protection for understaffed entities.

Energy & utilities: This sector extensively uses operational technology (OT)—hardware and software monitoring and controlling physical processes, devices, and infrastructures. X/NDR detects malicious anomalies within OT environments that traditional IT tools struggle to identify.

Education: COVID-19 accelerated remote learning adoption across school districts and universities, outsourcing responsibilities to SaaS platforms like Zoom and Google Classroom. X/NDR identifies malicious activity these platforms cannot detect.

Additionally, industries accelerating digital transformations due to COVID-19—particularly retail shifting toward e-commerce—benefit from X/NDR implementation.

CloudCover envisions a future where people dismiss online data concerns, companies eliminate millions in system integrity expenses, and hackers cannot infiltrate networks. Through its CC/B1 CyberSafety Platform, the organization pursues this vision daily.