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Beyond the Endpoint – Why NDR is Essential in Modern Threat Detection

Sumit Singh
August 18, 2025
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In today’s fast-evolving cyber threat landscape, organisations can no longer rely solely on traditional security solutions to stay protected. As attackers grow more sophisticated – employing stealthy tactics to move laterally, exfiltrate data, and evade endpoint defences – Security Operations Centres (SOCs) are under pressure to evolve as well. This is where Network Detection and Response (NDR) has emerged as a critical pillar in modern threat detection and cyber resilience.

 

What is NDR in Cyber Security?

Network Detection and Response (NDR) refers to security solutions that analyse network traffic in real-time, using advanced machine learning and behavioural analytics to detect threats that may bypass other security controls. Unlike endpoint or log-based systems, NDR focuses on observing traffic patterns, anomalies, and lateral movement across the entire network; offering an indispensable layer of visibility in a multi-vector threat environment.

When discussing what NDR is, it’s best to view it as a network-centric detection technology that complements (but doesn’t replace) existing endpoint detection (EDR) or SIEM platforms. It’s particularly effective in identifying insider threats, supply chain breaches, and advanced persistent threats (APTs) that often go unnoticed by signature-based tools.

 

Why Network Detection and Response Matters More Than Ever

With more organisations adopting hybrid workforces, migrating to cloud environments, and managing distributed endpoints, the attack surface has expanded dramatically. Malicious actors are leveraging this complexity, launching sophisticated campaigns that often exploit blind spots between endpoint and network layers.

This is why NDR security is fast becoming a cornerstone of proactive cyber defence strategies:

  • Deeper visibility across internal and external traffic flows.
  • Faster detection of lateral movement and command-and-control activity.
  • Enhanced threat hunting capabilities through behavioural baselining and anomaly detection.
  • Improved incident response, supported by rich context and historical network data.

In essence, NDR in cyber security allows SOC analysts to detect threats that evade EDR or SIEM by exposing what’s happening across the network in real time.

 

Aligning NDR with SOC Objectives

As defenders shift towards a more threat-informed defence model, the integration of NDR solutions into the broader SOC environment has become a tactical advantage. While endpoint security remains vital, NDR adds critical intelligence by monitoring east-west traffic, encrypted payloads, and dormant threats that don’t manifest in endpoint logs.

For organisations with advanced security teams or internal SOCs, NDR can be instrumental in:

  • Reducing alert fatigue, by offering more precise and contextual threat detections.
  • Accelerating triage and investigation, through automated threat scoring and forensic insights.
  • Improving dwell time metrics, by catching silent intrusions that other platforms miss.

For businesses operating their own Security Operations Centre, Infotrust’s Managed Security Operations Centre services can provide broader operational context and support alongside other complementary technologies.

 

Choosing the Right NDR Solution

Infotrust works closely with globally respected vendors such as Vectra AI and Palo Alto Networks, offering customers access to some of the most advanced NDR technologies on the market. While we do not offer a managed NDR service, our cyber security specialists help organisations evaluate, source, and implement NDR solutions that best align with their environment, goals, and existing tech stack.

Given the competitive nature of the NDR cyber landscape, choosing the right solution can be daunting – some key considerations include:

  • Scalability: Can the NDR platform handle your network volume?
  • Integration: Does it integrate well with your EDR, SIEM, or SOAR tools?
  • Explainability: Are detections backed by clear evidence and behavioural analytics?
  • Cost transparency: Are licensing and data retention policies predictable?

Our team offers expert advice to ensure you’re investing in a solution that not only meets today’s requirements, but is also built to adapt as your threat landscape evolves.

 

As cyber attackers become more evasive, the security strategies used to defend against them must evolve too

Network Detection and Response is no longer a ‘nice to have’; it’s an essential component in any serious threat detection framework. For security-conscious organisations seeking advanced threat visibility and faster response capabilities, NDR security can bridge the gap between known and unknown threats.

While Infotrust does not offer wraparound NDR services, we partner with industry-leading vendors to help you find the right NDR solution for your environment. From consultation through to procurement and support, our role is to empower your internal security operations with the right tools to stay ahead of threats. Get in touch today.