SOC vs EDR: what is the difference for an SMB?
Understand SOC, EDR, XDR, and SIEM to choose the right level of cyber monitoring.
Problem
You receive SOC, EDR, and XDR quotes without knowing what is actually needed.
Expected outcome
A simple decision framework to avoid unnecessary spending.
EDR: protect endpoints and servers
EDR detects suspicious endpoint behavior and helps isolate compromised machines.
- Malware and abnormal behavior detection.
- Isolation of infected endpoints.
- Visibility into processes and files.
SOC: analyze and respond 24/7
A SOC combines alerts, logs, and human expertise to triage and respond to incidents.
- Multi-source correlation.
- False-positive triage.
- Response playbooks.
Choose based on maturity
An SMB often starts with EDR plus essential monitoring, then evolves toward managed SOC.
- EDR alone for lower risk and available IT team.
- Managed SOC for critical activity or customer requirements.
- XDR/SIEM for multiple environments to correlate.
Frequently asked questions
Does EDR replace a SOC?
No. EDR is a tool; SOC is a monitoring and response capability.
Does an SMB need 24/7 SOC?
Yes if it has critical systems, customer requirements, or limited internal resources.
What is XDR?
XDR correlates signals from endpoints, email, identity, cloud, and network.
Choose the right monitoring
We assess your risks and recommend the right SOC/EDR level.
Compare my options