Endpoint Detection and Response: catch threats before they spread.
Traditional antivirus software looks for known malware signatures - it misses the techniques attackers actually use today. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) software records everything happening on every device, spots suspicious behaviour in real time, and can automatically isolate a compromised machine before the threat spreads to the rest of your network. North Star deploys, configures, and manages EDR on every device in your environment as part of a managed security retainer.
What is EDR and how is it different from antivirus?
Legacy antivirus software works by comparing files against a database of known bad signatures. Attackers figured out how to bypass signature detection years ago by using living-off-the-land techniques, obfuscating their code, or using legitimate tools in malicious ways. Endpoint Detection and Response software takes a different approach: it records a continuous stream of activity on each device - process executions, file modifications, network connections, registry changes - and uses behavioural analysis and machine learning to flag anomalies. When something suspicious happens, EDR can alert the security team, block the process, and quarantine the device automatically. XDR (Extended Detection and Response) adds telemetry from network, email, and identity sources to give a broader picture. North Star manages the entire EDR/XDR platform, investigates alerts, and takes containment action so your team does not need a full-time security analyst.
What North Star delivers.
Lightweight agent on every Windows, macOS, and server.
North Star deploys the EDR agent to all managed endpoints via your RMM platform. No user action required, no performance impact on normal workloads.
Behavioural analysis catches what signatures miss.
The platform watches for unusual process relationships, credential dumping, lateral movement, and other attack techniques - not just known malware files.
Automatic isolation of compromised devices.
When a confirmed threat is detected, the device can be automatically removed from the network within seconds, preventing spread to shared drives, servers, or other workstations.
North Star analysts review every high-severity alert.
Alert fatigue is real. Our analysts triage alerts, suppress false positives, and only escalate confirmed threats to you - with context on what happened and what to do.
Some threats reversed automatically.
Modern EDR platforms can undo malicious file encryption and registry changes made by ransomware, restoring the device to a clean state without restoring from backup.
What buyers ask before they sign.
What EDR product does North Star use?
North Star uses enterprise-grade EDR platforms from leading vendors. The specific product depends on your environment size and requirements. We do not resell consumer-grade or entry-level products.
Does EDR replace our antivirus?
Yes. EDR includes the signature-based detection that antivirus provided, plus the behavioural monitoring layer. Running both simultaneously creates conflicts and is not recommended.
How is EDR managed - do we need a security team?
No. North Star manages the EDR platform on your behalf: deploying updates, tuning detection rules, investigating alerts, and taking containment action. You receive a monthly report summarising what was detected and how it was handled.
What is the difference between EDR and XDR?
EDR focuses on endpoint telemetry - laptops, desktops, servers. XDR extends that to email, network, and identity data sources, giving a unified view of an attack that may start with a phishing email, move laterally across the network, and ultimately compromise an endpoint. XDR is recommended for businesses with 25 or more users.
Will EDR affect the performance of our computers?
Modern EDR agents are designed to be lightweight. Most users notice no performance impact during normal work. Intensive processes like large file scans or video rendering may see a minor increase in scan time, but this is uncommon.
Ready to replace your antivirus with real protection?
Tell us about your environment and we will come back with a scoped proposal in two business days. No obligation, no pressure.
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