What is NDR?

NDR (Network Detection and Response) is a category of security solutions that monitor network traffic in real-time, using artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect anomalies and threats.

How Does NDR Work?

NDR systems analyze network traffic (north-south and east-west) without the need to install agents on endpoints:

1. Data Collection: Passive copying of network traffic (mirror port, TAP)
2. Behavioral Analysis: Building a baseline of normal network behavior
3. Anomaly Detection: Detecting deviations from the norm using ML/AI
4. Event Correlation: Linking related alerts into incidents
5. Response: Automatic or manual response to threats

What Does NDR Detect?

• Lateral Movement: Attacker’s sideways movement within the network
• Data Exfiltration: Unauthorized external data transfer
• Command & Control: Communication with C2 servers
• Malware: Malicious software based on network behavior
• Insider Threats: Suspicious activities by internal users
• Reconnaissance: Network scanning by attackers

NDR vs Other Solutions

Solution	Monitoring Scope	Method
NDR	Network traffic	Behavioral analysis
EDR	Endpoints	Device agent
SIEM	Logs from multiple sources	Event correlation
IDS/IPS	Network traffic	Signatures

Advantages of NDR

• Threat detection without agents
• East-west traffic visibility (lateral movement)
• Effectiveness against zero-day and advanced attacks
• Integration with SIEM, SOAR, EDR
• Forensics - complete network traffic history

Popular NDR Solutions

• Darktrace
• Vectra AI
• ExtraHop
• Cisco Secure Network Analytics (Stealthwatch)
• Microsoft Defender for Identity

When to Implement NDR?

NDR is particularly valuable when:

• The organization has a complex network with multiple segments
• There is a risk of APT attacks and lateral movement
• Visibility in OT/IoT environments is needed
• SOC requires an additional detection source