Demystifying Security: Threat Detection, Prevention and Response (EPP, EDR and MTD)
Reviewed and updated in October 2026.
In an earlier article we covered Mobile Threat Defense (MTD), which provides threat detection, prevention and response on mobile devices. This article covers the same functions on workstations, laptops and servers. The goal is similar, but these devices work differently, so two types of solution share the job: Endpoint Protection Platform (EPP) and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR).
An Endpoint Protection Platform (EPP) blocks known and unknown malware before it runs. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) records endpoint activity continuously, detects attacks that use legitimate files and tools, and gives analysts the means to investigate and respond. Mobile Threat Defense (MTD) covers the same ground on smartphones and tablets, where it also watches app, network and operating system risks.
What is an Endpoint Protection Platform (EPP)?
An EPP prevents file-based threats such as viruses, malware and trojans from executing on an endpoint. Current EPP products combine signatures for known malware with behavior-based security, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), trained on large amounts of data, to recognize patterns and spot unexpected behavior that could be a threat. Because behavioral detection does not depend on the latest signatures, it can also protect endpoints that are offline or not fully up to date.
What is Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)?
EDR goes further and detects more sophisticated attacks, for example ones that use scripts or manipulate memory. These usually do not trigger an EPP, because nothing in them is malware in the technical sense: they combine legitimate files such as a Word document, legitimate actions such as running a script and legitimate network requests such as DNS lookups. Put together, they can still be an attack, for example exfiltrating data from a computer to a server on the internet.
EDR continuously monitors activity on endpoints and records details such as network connections (ARP, DNS, sockets), registry changes, memory and system calls. When it detects a likely attack or an attempt to exfiltrate data, it triggers predefined or custom responses, such as isolating the endpoint from the network or stopping a process. Public knowledge bases such as MITRE ATT&CK describe the attacker techniques EDR products are built to detect.
Forensics and threat hunting
EDR data serves two further purposes. After an incident, forensic investigation shows what happened, how the attack unfolded and what to change so it does not happen again. Threat hunting is the proactive counterpart: analysts search the recorded data for signs of attackers who have not triggered an alert yet.
Why use EPP and EDR together?
An EPP on its own is good but not good enough. Combined with EDR, it provides protection from prevention to response: the EPP stops what it can recognize before it runs, and EDR detects and contains what gets past it before the attack spreads across the infrastructure.
What are XDR and MDR?
Extended Detection and Response (XDR) applies the EDR approach beyond endpoints and correlates data from endpoints, network, identity, email and cloud in one place. Managed Detection and Response (MDR) is a service: an external team monitors the alerts around the clock and responds on your behalf, which helps organizations without their own security operations center. However much is automated, people still make the final calls; why that matters is discussed in Human Oversight in the AI Era: Finding the Right Balance in TDIR and SIEM.
Conclusion
Every device that accesses corporate data needs some form of threat detection, prevention and response: EPP and EDR on desktops and servers, MTD on mobile devices. These solutions should work together with the rest of your security stack, from endpoint management to access control, so your overall security posture protects your data and limits your liability. For an overview of how these product types fit together, read Cybersecurity Products: What's What.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between EPP and EDR?
EPP prevents malware from executing. EDR continuously records endpoint activity, detects attacks that use legitimate tools and files, and supports investigation and response. Most organizations use both.
What is XDR?
Extended Detection and Response correlates detection data from endpoints, network, identity, email and cloud, instead of looking at endpoints alone.
Do smartphones and tablets need EDR?
Mobile devices are covered by Mobile Threat Defense (MTD), which detects threats at the device, app and network level and can report the device's risk level to UEM and Conditional Access.
What is threat hunting?
Threat hunting means proactively searching endpoint and network data for signs of attackers who have not triggered an alert. It differs from forensics, which investigates an incident after it has been detected.
ISEC7 helps you choose the right EDR or XDR platform and integrates it into your environment, working with partners such as Lookout and Zimperium for Mobile Threat Defense and Arctic Wolf for managed detection and response. Learn more about our endpoint security services or contact us.
