What Is EDR?

EDR — Endpoint Detection and Response — is security software that monitors every device (endpoint) in your organization continuously, detects malicious activity using behavioural analysis, and enables rapid investigation and response to threats. Unlike traditional antivirus that relies on signature databases of known malware, EDR detects threats by their behaviour — including zero-day attacks and fileless malware that antivirus cannot catch.

How EDR works

EDR operates in three phases:

1. Detection — a lightweight agent installed on every endpoint continuously records all activity: processes, file changes, network connections, registry modifications, user logins. Machine learning algorithms and threat intelligence feeds identify anomalies indicating attack activity.
2. Investigation — when a threat is detected, EDR provides security analysts with a complete timeline of the attack: which process started the chain, what files were modified, which users were affected, and how the threat spread across the network.
3. Response — EDR enables containment actions: isolating a compromised device from the network, killing malicious processes, rolling back encrypted files (in some products), and remediating the affected system — all without requiring a technician on-site.

EDR vs. antivirus: key differences

• Detection method — antivirus uses signatures of known malware; EDR uses behavioural analysis and AI to detect unknown threats
• Visibility — antivirus reports only on files it scans; EDR records all device activity providing complete attack forensics
• Response — antivirus quarantines files; EDR can isolate devices, kill processes, and reverse malicious changes
• Coverage — antivirus misses fileless malware, living-off-the-land attacks, and novel ransomware; EDR's behavioural approach catches these

Leading EDR solutions in Canada (2026)

• SentinelOne Singularity — fully autonomous EDR with AI-powered rollback; strong ransomware protection; widely used by Canadian MSPs
• CrowdStrike Falcon — cloud-native EDR with strong threat intelligence; used by enterprise and government; Canadian data residency options available
• Microsoft Defender for Endpoint — built into Microsoft 365 Business Premium and E3/E5; tightly integrated with Azure and Intune; preferred for Microsoft-first environments
• Sophos Intercept X — strong SMB-focused EDR with good managed detection add-on options

What EDR costs Canadian businesses

EDR pricing in Canada varies by product and deployment model:

• Standalone EDR: $8-15 per device per month for SMB-grade EDR (SentinelOne, Sophos Intercept X)
• Microsoft Defender for Endpoint: included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium at $26.40/user/month (CAD) — effectively free if you're already using M365
• Enterprise-grade EDR (CrowdStrike): $15-25 per device per month
• EDR + MDR service: $15-40 per endpoint per month when MDR analysts monitor the EDR around the clock

EDR and cyber insurance in Canada

Canadian cyber insurers now require EDR on all endpoints as a standard underwriting condition. Organizations without EDR are either denied coverage or charged materially higher premiums. The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS) lists EDR as a critical security control in its Top 10 security actions for Canadian organizations.

Related glossary terms

• MDR — Managed Detection and Response
• XDR — Extended Detection and Response
• SIEM — Security Information and Event Management
• Ransomware
• MFA — Multi-Factor Authentication

How Outsource IT Canada can help

• Managed IT Services — 24/7 monitoring and flat-rate IT support for Canadian businesses
• Cybersecurity Services — EDR, MDR, dark web monitoring, and incident response
• PIPEDA Compliance — privacy impact assessments and breach notification procedures
• Get a free assessment — call (416) 623-9677