Boost Your Cybersecurity Game: Exploring Extended Detection and Response (XDR) with Cato Networks

Cato XDR leverages the power of SASE, utilising the broadest range of native network and security inputs from Cato’s SASE platform, along with hundreds of threat intelligence sources.

Unlike traditional XDR solutions that rely solely on endpoint data, Cato XDR is SASE-based, drawing native data directly from Cato’s single-pass processing engines. This approach ensures no loss from data normalisation, enhancing its ability to detect hidden threats and minimise false positives.

Whether you’re seeking an entry-level solution or advanced protection, Cato offers two tiers—XDR Core and XDR Pro—to meet the needs of organisations of all sizes and complexities.

XDR Core: Comprehensive Protection for All Customers

Bundled with all Cato Network subscriptions, XDR Core delivers foundational Extended Detection and Response capabilities. Designed to cover essential threat lifecycle management needs, it includes the following:

1. Prevention Capabilities: Provides IPS blocking of malicious traffic. Block events generated by prevention engines, such as IPS, are grouped by shared malicious activity. This reduces alert fatigue and helps SOC teams focus on critical issues.

2. Threat Lifecycle Management Interface:A robust dashboard that provides a detailed view of security events, ensuring threats are tracked from detection to resolution.

3. Data Ingestion from Third-Party EDRs: Seamlessly integrates with leading Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools like Microsoft Defender, CrowdStrike, and others, enhancing visibility and analytics capabilities.

With XDR Core, organisations gain immediate access to entry-level XDR functionality as part of their standard Cato subscription—delivering value from day one.

XDR Pro: Advanced Protection for Enhanced Security

For organisations seeking deeper insights and proactive defences, XDR Pro offers a premium upgrade. Building on XDR Core, XDR Pro adds:

1. Threat Hunting: Detects elusive, signatureless threats, including zero-day attacks. For example, attackers lurking in the network and progressively targeting critical assets. Cato’s SASE-based XDR shines here, leveraging native network traffic signals to detect these advanced threats using AI and machine learning.

2. Anomaly Detection: Identifies suspicious user activity over time. By understanding ‘normal’ behaviour through advanced statistical models, Cato can pinpoint unusual actions that may indicate malicious intent.

XDR Pro requires Cato’s Threat Prevention add-on to ensure users benefit from the full range of advanced security features.

This advanced service is ideal for businesses handling sensitive data or operating in high-risk environments where proactive defences are critical.

Cato XDR Management Options

Cato Networks offers flexible management options to cater to diverse operational needs:

• Customer-Managed: For organisations with dedicated security teams seeking full control over detection and response.
• Cato Partner-Managed: Delegate management to trusted Cato Partners for expert oversight and tailored configurations.
• Cato Managed XDR Service: Offload security management to Cato’s expert SOC team. This fully managed service provides end-to-end threat detection, investigation, and remediation, allowing internal teams to focus on business priorities.

XDR in Action: The Power of Unified Security

Cato’s XDR services are integral to its broader Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) platform, which seamlessly integrates networking and security into a single, cloud-native solution. This unified approach delivers:

• Streamlined Operations: Simplify operations by consolidating security tools under one platform.
• Improved ROI: Optimise costs with a solution that scales with your organisation.
• Faster Response Times: Accelerate threat resolution through real-time visibility and automated workflows.

Whether you’re looking for reliable, entry-level capabilities with XDR Core or the advanced, proactive defence of XDR Pro, Cato Networks has the solution. Backed by flexible management options and a robust SASE framework, Cato’s XDR services empower businesses to stay ahead of evolving threats.

Ready to elevate your cybersecurity strategy? Contact us today to discover how Cato Networks can safeguard your organisation with cutting-edge XDR technology.

Written by Johns William, Presales Consultant specialising in Network Infrastructure at ICT Networks.