XDR – threat detection across the entire IT environment

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Modern IT infrastructure generates security information across many independent systems.
Endpoints, network devices, firewalls, email, cloud environments, SaaS applications, and identity management systems log thousands of events every day.

A single event often lacks sufficient context. Only by cross-referencing information from various sources can you see that seemingly unrelated actions are actually parts of the same incident.

XDR (Extended Detection and Response) enables the correlation of this data and the analysis of events within the broader context of the entire infrastructure.

XDR allows you to link events from different systems and determine whether they form a single chain of events requiring a response.

At squareTec, we design and implement XDR solutions tailored to your existing security architecture. We integrate technologies from various vendors, data sources, and systems used by security teams.

How does XDR work?

XDR combines data from multiple security systems and then uses it to identify relationships between events. The process can be broken down into several stages.

Depending on the environment, data sources for XDR can include:

endpoints → servers → firewalls → network → email → cloud and SaaS → IAM → security systems → SIEM/SOAR → threat intelligence

Collecting data from security systems

Data sources can include endpoints, servers, firewalls, network devices, IAM systems, email, cloud environments, and SaaS applications.

The scope of integration depends on the organization's architecture and the technologies to be monitored.

Event correlation and threat analysis

XDR aggregates information from various sources. This makes it possible to detect relationships between events that, if analyzed separately, might not indicate a significant threat.

For example, user activity, unusual endpoint behavior, and communication with a specific network address can be analyzed as parts of a single incident.

In practice, this allows for faster identification of which device, account, or piece of infrastructure may be affected by an incident and what actions should be taken.

Incident prioritization

Not every event requires the same response. XDR helps organize alerts and identify those that require further analysis or action.

For SOC teams, this means the ability to focus analysts' work on events of greater significance.

Threat response

Once an incident is detected and analyzed, XDR can trigger specific automated actions or escalate the event for further handling by the SOC.

Depending on the architecture, this may include isolating a device, blocking specific activity, triggering a SOAR playbook, or passing information to other security systems.

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XDR vs. SIEM – differences and applications

XDR and SIEM can perform different, complementary functions within a cybersecurity architecture.

SIEM focuses on the centralized collection, storage, and analysis of logs and events from multiple systems. It is used for environment monitoring, event analysis, reporting, and supporting security processes, among other things.

XDR focuses on detecting, correlating, analyzing, and responding to threats based on data from various layers of the infrastructure.

In practice, XDR does not have to replace SIEM. Both solutions can work together within a single security architecture.

squareTec integrates XDR with existing SIEM and SOAR platforms, taking into account how security teams work and the requirements of the specific environment.

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XDR in large organizations and the public sector

In large organizations, IT security is distributed across many teams, systems, and locations.

In such environments, XDR architecture must account for existing systems, various data sources, the division of responsibilities, and requirements regarding information access.

Other relevant factors include:

• hybrid and multi-site environments,
• limited or controlled connectivity,
• systems with varying levels of criticality,
• complex permission structures,
• audit and event tracking requirements,
• integration with an existing SOC,
• collaboration between IT and security teams.

In practice, this means considering not just the XDR platform itself, but also data acquisition methods, existing security systems, permissions, and incident response procedures.

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XDR for IT, OT, and critical infrastructure environments

In organizations with OT environments, industrial systems, or critical infrastructure, security monitoring cannot be limited solely to user computers and servers.

Network devices, industrial systems, management systems, and other technical infrastructure components can also serve as sources of information about potential incidents.

In such environments, data integration requires accounting for the specifics of OT systems, their availability, communication methods, and business continuity requirements.

squareTec combines expertise in cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, and technical system integration. This allows us to design security architecture that accounts for the interdependencies between IT, OT, and the rest of an organization's infrastructure.

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XDR Implementation - how does squareTec design and integrate the solution?

We begin XDR implementation by analyzing the existing environment, data sources, and incident handling processes. Based on this, we define the solution architecture and the scope of integration with existing systems.

Environment and data source analysis

We identify systems, telemetry sources, existing protection mechanisms, and incident handling procedures. We also assess what data is already available and where there are limitations in its use.

XDR Architecture Design

We define the solution scope, data sources, data flow, and dependencies with other components of the security architecture.

The design takes into account the client's existing environment as well as requirements for security, availability, and infrastructure management.

Integration with existing security systems

We connect XDR with the technologies and security systems already in use by the organization. Depending on the environment, this may include endpoints, firewalls, IAM systems, cloud solutions, SIEM, SOAR, or threat intelligence sources.

Detection and response configuration

We tailor detection, correlation, and incident response mechanisms to the specific characteristics of the environment. We also determine which actions can be automated and which require operator intervention.

Integration with SOC, SIEM, and SOAR

We incorporate XDR into the existing security operating model. We account for analyst workflows, information flow, and incident response procedures.

In squareTec projects, we utilize technologies from various vendors, including solutions from Palo Alto Networks, Microsoft, IBM, and Cisco.

This allows us to align the implementation with the existing infrastructure rather than building a separate security environment independent of the organization's other systems.

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XDR as part of a cybersecurity architecture

XDR can serve as a component of a broader security architecture covering the protection of endpoints, networks, identities, cloud environments, and operating systems.

In a mature security environment, XDR works in tandem with solutions such as SIEM, SOAR, IAM, EDR, and threat intelligence systems. This enables the correlation of event data with analysis and response mechanisms, integrating them into the processes managed by security teams.

squareTec designs such environments by considering existing infrastructure, multi-vendor technologies, and the organization's operational requirements. Our integration expertise allows us to connect the cybersecurity layer with other elements of IT and OT infrastructure.