Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR)¶

Why EDR Matters¶

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions are essential for detecting, investigating, and mitigating cyber threats in real time.

They provide deep visibility into endpoint activity — from process creation and registry changes to network connections and file modifications — allowing analysts to catch what traditional antivirus or firewalls might miss.

Why learn EDR:

• Detect advanced threats: Identify malicious activity and behavioral anomalies missed by signature-based tools.
• Develop endpoint defense strategies: Understand telemetry, baselining, and how to build resilient detection logic.
• Leverage threat intelligence: Use enrichment and context from built-in TI feeds or external integrations.
• Strengthen IR workflows: Learn to triage, investigate, and remediate incidents directly from endpoint data.
• Stay relevant: EDR knowledge bridges the gap between blue teaming, DFIR, and SOC operations.

In short — mastering EDR helps you see the who, what, and how of endpoint compromise.

Core Tools & Labs¶

These platforms and utilities help build practical EDR and DFIR skills:

• Huntress Labs Academy — Learn managed detection, persistence hunting, and threat containment.
• CrowdStrike University — Vendor courses on Falcon platform, detections, and threat hunting.
• Carbon Black Developer Docs — API documentation for automating EDR workflows.
• Velociraptor DFIR — Open-source DFIR tool for endpoint visibility and hunting at scale.
• Sysmon Config Analyzer — Tune Sysmon configurations to improve signal-to-noise ratio.
• Google Rapid Response (GRR) — Remote live forensics framework for large-scale incident response.

Training Courses¶

Deepen your knowledge with these free and paid training programs:

• SANS SEC450: Blue Team Fundamentals — Foundation for defensive operations, detection engineering, and SOC workflows.
• AttackIQ Academy – EDR 101 — Free introduction to endpoint detection and behavioral analytics.
• LetsDefend EDR Labs — Simulated incident response labs with hands-on EDR scenarios.
• Velociraptor Training Portal — Learn deployment, collection, and artifact-based analysis.

Practice Scenarios¶

Try building and testing your own detections or workflows:

• Configure Sysmon + Velociraptor and collect endpoint telemetry.
• Analyze process trees to detect malicious PowerShell or LOLBin activity.
• Simulate ransomware behavior in a lab and observe endpoint alerts.
• Create custom detection rules based on MITRE ATT&CK techniques.
• Automate endpoint evidence collection via PowerShell or API scripts.

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