Connectivity is paramount today for convenience, efficiency, and productivity. Our devices are interconnected in our homes and offices from the moment we walk through the door.

From laptops and mobile phones to smart devices and printers, we often rely on a single network connection to keep everything running smoothly.

However, this also presents significant security challenges. While many of us diligently protect our critical devices with antivirus software, firewalls, and strong passwords, some devices often need to be noticed, potentially putting the entire network at risk.

Understanding the Risks

Take printers, for example. Generally seen as innocuous, these devices are rarely at the top of one's mind when considering network security. However, modern printers are usually connected to our home or office Wi-Fi networks and can be accessed by any device on the same network. This accessibility poses a serious security risk. Many printers come with default passwords that are easily found on the internet. Hackers can exploit these backdoors to gain a foothold in a network, using the printer as a stepping stone to infiltrate other connected devices.

Simple steps, such as changing default passwords, can mitigate this issue. Still, businesses need to implement additional security measures to protect their assets in an office environment. This is where a network detection and response tool comes into play.

The Role of NDR in Network Security

NDR solutions are designed to monitor network traffic among all connected devices, whether they are connected wirelessly or via Ethernet. These tools capture and analyze data packets in real-time, providing security teams with the insights they need to protect digital assets from both internal and external threats.

For instance, NDR solutions can detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate a security breach. They monitor data flow and flag anomalies that could signify the presence of malware, unauthorized access, or data exfiltration attempts. Stellar Cyber offers a robust NDR solution that helps security teams swiftly detect and respond to threats, helping organizations stay ahead of potential threats.

Threats Detected by NDR

Ransomware

Ransomware is a form of malware that encrypts a user’s device to leverage access to the user’s data into receiving a ransom. Hackers tend to target businesses for ransomware attacks because businesses rely heavily on their data for day-to-day operations. A device can be infected with ransomware through various methods, many of which we will discuss. However, the most common way ransomware infects a device is through user behavior.

When a user downloads an infected attachment or enters an infected website, the ransomware files can be downloaded onto the device without the user’s permission or awareness. Once downloaded, it installs a program that uses advanced encryption algorithms to lock the device’s data behind a password or keyphrase. If the attack is successful, a note containing instructions on how to send payment to the attacker will be shown on the screen. Attackers often impose time limits to add urgency, threatening to delete or expose sensitive data if payment is not made in time.

Exploit Kits

Exploit kits are another significant threat. These kits target known vulnerabilities in a system's software, such as outdated plugins, web browsers, or operating systems. They package exploit codes, payloads, and delivery mechanisms to streamline attacks, allowing hackers to gain control of infected devices efficiently.

Although software vendors continually update their systems to patch these vulnerabilities, there's always a lag between discovery and remediation, which exploit kits take advantage of.

Botnets

Botnets are networks of infected devices controlled by a hacker. They can range from a few dozen to millions of devices and are used for various illicit activities, from harvesting personal information to executing Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks.

By overwhelming a website with traffic, a DDoS attack can render it useless until the traffic subsides. Botnets can also be used for crypto mining, leveraging the collective computing power of the infected devices.

Command and Control

Command and control channels are often used in conjunction with other cyber attacks. It allows hackers to govern compromised devices or networks. To make detection difficult, these channels use standard internet protocols to blend in with normal traffic.

Once established, attackers can use the network's resources to conduct further attacks, exfiltrate data, or install additional malware.

Integrating Automation and Orchestration

In modern enterprise environments, networks are highly decentralized and expansive, connecting on-premises and cloud data centers, hardware, software, IoT devices, and workloads. To gain comprehensive visibility into these distributed and interconnected networks, Security Operations Centers (SOCs) rely on NDR integrated with other security solutions as part of their cloud security strategy.

For example, NDR is one of the three pillars of Gartner's SOC visibility triad, along with Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM). EDR software automatically protects an organization's endpoints against cyber threats that bypass traditional security tools. It provides a ground-level view of endpoint activity, complementing the aerial view of network traffic offered by NDR.

SIEM systems, on the other hand, aggregate and correlate security-related log and event data from various sources across the network. Network detection and response tools can stream their network traffic data to an SIEM, enriching its value for security and regulatory compliance workflows. This integration ensures that all security tools work together seamlessly, providing a comprehensive defense strategy.

The Rise of XDR Solutions

More recently, SOCs have adopted Extended Detection and Response (XDR) solutions. XDR integrates cybersecurity tools across an organization’s entire hybrid IT infrastructure—endpoints, networks, cloud workloads, and more—allowing them to interoperate and coordinate cyber threat prevention, detection, and response.

Many XDR solutions incorporate NDR capabilities, while open XDR solutions can use an organization's existing NDR capabilities.

Conclusion

The integration of NDR tools with automation and orchestration capabilities is crucial for modern cybersecurity. As networks become more complex and threats more sophisticated, organizations must adopt comprehensive security solutions that provide real-time visibility and response capabilities.

NDR solutions, mainly when integrated with EDR, SIEM, and XDR, offer a robust defense against a wide range of cyber threats. So, by using these tools, businesses can protect their digital assets, maintain operational continuity, and stay ahead of potential security risks.