Quick Answer
EDR monitors endpoints for threats. MDR adds a 24/7 human team to manage EDR for you. XDR extends detection across email, cloud and network. Most UK SMEs need EDR as minimum — MDR if you lack in-house security staff.
Connection Technologies includes EDR in every managed IT package from £45/user/month. MDR from £10/user/month extra.
Last updated: March 2026 | Reviewed by: Connection Technologies team
EDR vs MDR vs XDR Explained
These three acronyms represent different levels of endpoint security. Here is what each does.
EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response)
EDR monitors every device on your network for suspicious behaviour. Unlike traditional antivirus, it uses behavioural analysis to catch:
- Zero-day malware no signature database has seen
- Fileless attacks running entirely in memory
- Lateral movement between devices
- Suspicious process chains (e.g. Word launching PowerShell)
Best for: Any business that has moved beyond basic antivirus. EDR is the minimum standard in 2026.
MDR (Managed Detection and Response)
MDR adds a human SOC team on top of EDR. They monitor alerts 24/7, investigate threats and respond on your behalf.
- EDR generates alerts — someone needs to act on them
- Most SMEs lack in-house security analysts
- 60% of incidents happen outside office hours
- Average time to detect a breach without MDR: 197 days
Best for: Businesses without an in-house security team.
XDR (Extended Detection and Response)
XDR extends visibility beyond endpoints to email, cloud apps, network and identity — correlating signals across your full IT estate.
- Spots attacks crossing boundaries (phishing → compromised account → lateral movement)
- Reduces alert fatigue by grouping related events
- Requires integration with your full technology stack
Best for: Larger businesses (50+ staff) or regulated industries.
EDR vs MDR vs XDR: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | EDR | MDR | XDR |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it monitors | Endpoints only | Endpoints + human analysis | Endpoints, email, cloud, network, identity |
| Who manages it | Your IT team | External SOC team (24/7) | External SOC + platform correlation |
| Threat detection | Automated behavioural analysis | Automated + human threat hunting | Cross-platform correlation |
| Response | Alerts your team | SOC responds for you | Automated + orchestrated response |
| Cost | £3–£8/device/month | £10–£25/user/month | £20–£40/user/month |
| In-house expertise needed | Yes | No — fully managed | Minimal |
| Best for | Businesses with IT security staff | SMEs without security team | Complex, regulated environments |
Connection Technologies includes EDR as standard and offers MDR in managed IT packages from £45/user/month.
Need help with this? Connection Technologies offers a free technology assessment for UK businesses. Book your free consultation or call 0330 440 4247.
Endpoint Security Pricing for UK Businesses
Costs depend on the level of protection and whether you self-manage or outsource:
| Solution | Examples | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic antivirus | Windows Defender, Bitdefender | Free – £2/device/month | Signature-based only. Not sufficient for business. |
| EDR (self-managed) | CrowdStrike Falcon Go, SentinelOne | £3–£8/device/month | Requires in-house expertise to manage alerts. |
| EDR (with M365) | Microsoft Defender for Business | Included with M365 Premium (£18.70/user/month) | Good baseline. Managed by your provider. |
| MDR (fully managed) | Connection Technologies, Huntress, Sophos MDR | £10–£25/user/month | 24/7 SOC included. No in-house staff needed. |
| XDR (enterprise) | Palo Alto Cortex, Microsoft Sentinel | £20–£40/user/month | Cross-platform. Best for 50+ staff or regulated sectors. |
Connection Technologies includes EDR in every managed IT package from £45/user/month. MDR available from £10/user/month extra.
Best Endpoint Security for SMEs
What we recommend based on your business size:
Under 20 employees, limited budget
- Start with: Microsoft Defender for Business (included with M365 Premium)
- Add: Managed monitoring from your IT provider
- Cost: No extra if you already pay for M365 Premium
20–50 employees, no in-house security
- Go with: MDR — fully managed detection and response
- Why: 24/7 SOC analysts without hiring security staff
- Cost: £10–£25/user/month on top of your IT package
50+ employees or regulated industry
- Consider: XDR for cross-platform visibility
- Why: Complex environments need correlated detection across endpoints, email, cloud and network
- Cost: £20–£40/user/month
When choosing a provider, prioritise:
- Named account manager — not an anonymous call centre
- Flexible contracts — monthly rolling, not multi-year lock-in
- Transparent pricing — fixed fees, not RPI-linked increases
- Accreditations — Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO 27001
How to Deploy Endpoint Security
Rollout takes 1–2 weeks with a managed provider:
- Audit current devices — inventory all endpoints and their current protection. (Day 1–2)
- Choose the right level — EDR if you have IT security staff, MDR if you do not. (Day 2–3)
- Pilot deployment — install agents on a small group first. Check for software conflicts. (Day 3–5)
- Full rollout — deploy to all devices. Most agents install silently. (Day 5–8)
- Tune and baseline — suppress false positives and establish normal activity patterns. (Day 8–12)
- Ongoing monitoring — your provider or SOC team monitors 24/7 and responds to threats.
Connection Technologies deploys endpoint security as part of every managed IT onboarding.
Related Reading
- IT Security Audit UK: What It Costs, What to Expect & How to Prepare
- Cyber Security Services for Business UK: What You Need & Costs
- Cyber Essentials Certification UK: Cost, Process & Is It Worth It?
- Penetration Testing UK: Costs, Types & How to Choose a Provider
- Ransomware Protection for UK Businesses: Prevention & Recovery Guide
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Frequently Asked Questions
A comprehensive cyber security package for a UK small business costs £15–£50 per user per month, depending on the services included.
This typically covers endpoint protection, email security, monitoring and training. Connection Technologies bundles security into managed IT packages from £45/user/month.
Phishing remains the most common cyber threat, accounting for over 80% of reported security incidents. Business email compromise (BEC) and ransomware are the most financially damaging. Regular security awareness training is the most cost-effective defence.
Yes. 39% of UK businesses reported a cyber attack in the past 12 months (DCMS 2025), and small businesses are increasingly targeted because they often have weaker defences. The average cost of a breach for an SME is £15,300.
Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed certification covering five key security controls. It costs £300–£500/year and is increasingly required for government contracts. It is a good baseline for any business and demonstrates basic security hygiene to clients and partners.
Traditional antivirus detects known malware using signature databases. EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) goes further, using behavioural analysis to detect unknown threats, zero-day attacks and suspicious activity patterns.
In 2026, EDR is the minimum standard for business protection.
Most UK businesses should conduct penetration testing annually, with additional tests after significant infrastructure changes. Regulated industries (finance, healthcare) may require more frequent testing. Costs range from £3,000–£15,000 per engagement.
Why Endpoint Security Cannot Wait
Too many businesses leave endpoint security until later. Attackers do not wait. Build it in from day one.
Connection Technologies includes in every managed IT package from £45/user/month:
- EDR on every device
- Email security and phishing filtering
- Patch management and vulnerability scanning
- Security awareness training
- 24/7 monitoring and alerting
For regulated industries — legal, financial services, healthcare — we add compliance support for Cyber Essentials, ISO 27001 and sector-specific standards.
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