EDR effectiveness depends on how well it’s used – and dealerships often stumble when it comes to fully leveraging EDR. As an important part of a comprehensive information security program, EDR provides valuable information that can be used to stop malware in its tracks. But as powerful as EDR can be, it’s not a magic bullet.
Here are five common mistakes dealerships make with EDR and how to avoid them so you can get the most bang for your buck.
1) Underestimating the Resources Required
EDR collects a ton of data. We’re talking about monitoring operating system activities, application launches, registry changes, network connections—you name it. This means you get detailed visibility, but with that visibility comes an overwhelming amount of information. If your team isn’t prepared to handle this data, it can quickly become too much to manage. Imagine needing multiple full-time positions just to sift through all the alerts!
Tip: Don’t dive into EDR without first assessing your team’s capacity. Consider whether you’ll need additional resources or support to properly manage the data flood.
2) Not Defining a Triage and Response Process
Buying an EDR tool and simply “setting it and forgetting it” is a fast track to chaos. What happens when a potential threat is detected? Who investigates it? Who decides whether it’s a false alarm or something that needs immediate action?
Without a clear triage and response process in place, your team is going to get bogged down quickly. Plus, you’ll miss out on fully leveraging the tool’s potential.
Tip: Before the alerts start rolling in, establish a detailed response workflow. Know who’s responsible for each stage—from initial detection to resolution—so no time is wasted when a threat is flagged.
3) Failing to Track Performance Metrics
If you’re not measuring how well your EDR system is working, how do you know if it’s worth the investment? Metrics like false positive and negative rates, severity of detected threats, and the time it takes to detect and resolve issues are essential for understanding the tool’s impact. Without them, you’re flying blind.
Tip: Track these key metrics:
- False positive/negative rates: Are you getting more noise than actual threats?
- Severity of detected threats: Are the alerts minor annoyances or serious risks?
- Time to detection and resolution: How quickly are you identifying and neutralizing threats?
These data points will help you fine-tune your EDR setup and prove its value to higher-ups.
4) Not Integrating EDR into a Comprehensive Security Program
EDR can’t exist in its own little bubble. The FTC’s Safeguards Rule requires dealerships to have a “comprehensive information security program,” and EDR is just one piece of that puzzle. If you’re not aligning EDR with your broader IT, proactive IT services, and cybersecurity functions, you’re not going to get the full benefits.
Tip: Make sure your IT and cybersecurity teams are working hand-in-hand. Your IT team should handle the initial setup and ongoing configuration of your EDR system, while your cybersecurity experts focus on analyzing the data and acting on potential threats. Think of EDR as part of a broader defense strategy, not a stand-alone solution.
5) Ignoring the Need for Continuous Improvement
Cyberthreats are constantly evolving, and so should your EDR setup. Simply installing it and leaving it on autopilot isn’t going to cut it. EDR configurations need regular updates, and your team needs to stay sharp in analyzing emerging threats.
Tip: Set up regular check-ins with your IT and cybersecurity teams to review your EDR performance. Are you seeing new types of threats? Do your configurations need updating? Continuous improvement is key to staying ahead of attackers.
Wrapping Up
EDR is a powerful tool that can help dealerships keep cybercriminals at bay, but only if it’s used correctly. By avoiding these common mistakes—underestimating the resources needed, neglecting a triage process, failing to track metrics, isolating EDR from your broader security efforts, and skipping continuous improvement—you’ll be in a much better position to protect your dealership from cyberthreats.
Don’t let EDR be just another tool you have lying around. Make it an integral part of your dealership’s cybersecurity strategy and you’ll see real results.
