As cyber threats continue to evolve in 2026, organizations are coming to the realization that Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) is no longer viable. It's a fact that EDR is still required for monitoring devices. However, modern cyber threats and attackers have changed their tactics to steer clear of detection and endpoint visibility.

Network Detection and Response (NDR) has become strategically essential in this modern situation. NDR finds threats that EDR still uncovers through investigation of network data, trends, and anomalies across contexts.

Why EDR Alone Isn't Enough in 2026

In short, Endpoints such as laptops, servers, mobile devices, and workloads are the main EDR solutions landscape. They keep an eye on user activities, files, registry modifications, and processes. But in order to avoid setting off endpoint-based alarms, contemporary attackers have changed their attacking patterns and strategies.

Common Gaps in EDR Coverage

  • Encrypted traffic blind spots: EDR cannot analyze encrypted network connections.
  • Fileless malware: Attack dependent on memory have minimum to no disk footprint.
  • Credential-based lateral movement: Valid credentials generate minimal endpoint alerts.
  • Unmanaged devices and IoT systems: Many devices don't run EDR agents.
  • Cloud-native workloads: Containers and ephemeral infrastructure may lack persistent agents.

The use of endpoint telemetry alone in 2026's hybrid and multi-cloud systems results in hazardous visibility gaps.

What Is NDR and How It Works

In order to identify malicious behavior in real time, Network Detection and Response examines network traffic. In contrast to conventional network monitoring tools, contemporary NDR platforms detect anomalies in east-west and north-south traffic using artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and behavioral analytics.

NDR inspects:

  • Network flows and metadata.
  • DNS queries and responses.
  • Encrypted traffic patterns
  • Lateral movement behaviors.
  • Communications between command and control (C2).
  • Attempts to exfiltrate data.
  • Data exfiltration attempts.

NDR offers visibility even when endpoints are silent because attackers must utilize the network at some point during the attack lifecycle.

Attacks EDR Still Misses in 2026

As opposed to traditional attacks, modern threat actors are way more sophisticated. Let's look at five key attack types where NDR solutions plays a decisive role to enhance security operations.

1. Movement Laterally Using Stolen Credentials

Once credentials have been compromised, attackers travel laterally across the network using tools that are genuine.

  • RDP and SMB sessions appear normal.
  • Authentication logs may not flag anomalies.
  • EDR sees legitimate processes, not malicious binaries.

Unusual login pathways, strange traffic patterns, and host-to-host privilege escalation activity are all detected by NDR.

2. Control and Command over Secure Channels

TLS tunnels, DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH), or encrypted HTTPS are used by contemporary malware.

  • Endpoint monitoring may not decrypt traffic.
  • Malware hides within legitimate services.

NDR analyzes traffic behavior, certificate anomalies, beaconing patterns, and communication frequency to uncover hidden C2 activity — even in encrypted sessions.

3. Attacks Based on SaaS and Cloud

In modern cyber threat landscape, attackers are more likely to take advantage of:

  • Misconfigured cloud storage.
  • API abuse.
  • OAuth token compromise.
  • SaaS account takeovers.

EDR agents often lack full visibility into cloud-to-cloud communications.

NDR technology monitors network telemetry across cloud environments, detecting abnormal API traffic and suspicious data flows.

4. Threats to OT and IoT Networks

EDR agents are frequently incompatible with unmanaged assets, IoT devices, and industrial systems. These systems are susceptible to:

  • Botnet recruitment.
  • Network scanning.
  • Internal pivoting.

5. Insider Threats and Data Exfiltration

There are multiple other threats and without triggering endpoint alarms, malicious employees or compromised insiders can take advantage of sensitive data.

NDR identifies:

  • Large outbound data transfers.
  • Unusual cloud uploads.
  • DNS tunnelling.
  • Traffic to rare or suspicious destinations.

Why You Need Both NDR and EDR

The debate between NDR and EDR in 2026 is finished among cybersecurity leaders. Focus is on combining the two in Extended Detection and Response (XDR) approaches.

EDR Strengths:

  • Deep endpoint process visibility.
  • Malware detection and response.
  • Host-level forensic investigation.
  • Rapid containment at device level.

NDR Strengths:

  • Network-wide visibility.
  • Agentless detection.
  • Encrypted traffic analysis.
  • Lateral movement detection.
  • Detection of unmanaged assets.

When integrated, NDR and EDR provide:

  • Faster threat correlation.
  • Reduced dwell time.
  • Higher detection accuracy.
  • Fewer false positives.

NDR's Principal Advantages in 2026

Businesses that use contemporary NDR solutions benefit from a number of competitive advantages:

  • Actively searching for threats in hybrid contexts.
  • AI-powered anomaly detection that requires little manual adjustment.
  • Better ransomware identification prior to encryption activation.
  • Enhanced Zero Trust visibility.
  • Reduced attacker dwell time.
  • Compliance support for regulatory frameworks.

As cyber insurance providers tighten requirements, NDR is increasingly viewed as a critical control.

How to Pick the Best NDR Option

In 2026, take into account the following while assessing NDR platforms:

  • Cloud-native architecture.
  • Scalability across hybrid environments.
  • Behavioral analytics driven by AI.
  • Smooth interaction with SIEM, SOAR, and EDR.
  • Encrypted traffic analysis capabilities.
  • Low false-positive rates.
  • Automated response workflows.

Solutions that offer real-time detection without overburdening analysts must be given top priority by security teams.

Threat Detection's Future

In 2026, attackers will be more automated, quicker, and more covert than before. AI is used by ransomware organizations. Zero-day vulnerabilities are exploited by nation-state actors. Insider threats are disguised as normal traffic.

In this landscape:

  • Endpoint visibility is essential — but incomplete.
  • Network visibility is strategic — not optional.
  • AI-driven detection is mandatory — not experimental.

The blind spots that EDR is unable to see are filled by NDR.

Organizations have a major advantage in detecting threats early, responding swiftly, and minimizing damage when endpoint and network intelligence are combined.

Concluding remarks

NDR has developed from a "nice-to-have" to a crucial part of contemporary cybersecurity architecture as cyber attacks continue to evade conventional defenses. By 2026, the question is not if EDR works, but rather whether it does. The actual query is: What are you missing without NDR?

What are you missing without NDR?

Organizations may develop a multi-layered, robust cybersecurity strategy that can identify even the most elusive assaults by implementing NetWitness's EDR and NDR. It might be time to increase your visibility if your security plan still just uses endpoints — before hackers take advantage of the weaknesses.