Sophos XDR (Extended Detection and Response) is a cybersecurity platform that correlates data across multiple security layers—endpoints, servers, network firewalls, email, cloud workloads, and identity tools—to detect, investigate, and neutralize cyber threats.

Unlike standard Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) which only monitors laptops and servers, Sophos XDR connects telemetry from an organization's entire IT infrastructure into a single operational dashboard managed through Sophos Central.

Sophos XDR (Extended Detection and Response)

Core Capabilities

Cross-Domain Data Telemetry: Combines threat intelligence from endpoints, firewalls (Sophos XGS), mobile devices, Microsoft 365, AWS/Azure workloads, and third-party security tools via API integrations.
SQL-Based Threat Hunting: Uses customizable SQL queries (and pre-packaged SQL templates) to allow security analysts to search historical data up to 90 days or query live device states directly.
Automated & Guided Response: Enables admins to isolate compromised devices remotely, kill malicious processes, or run cleanup scripts directly from the cloud console.
Artificial Intelligence Prioritization: Filters thousands of telemetry alerts into prioritized, actionable incident cases using machine learning detection engines.

EDR vs. XDR vs. MDR

Feature	Sophos EDR	Sophos XDR	Sophos MDR
Visibility Scope	Endpoints and servers only	Endpoints, network, cloud, identity, email	Full cross-domain visibility
Management	In-house IT team	In-house IT team	Managed 24/7 by Sophos SOC experts
Data Retention	Local on-device + Cloud Data Lake	Expanded Cloud Data Lake (up to 90 days)	Fully managed threat hunting lake
Best For	Basic endpoint visibility	Internal security teams needing cross-domain context	Companies without a dedicated 24/7 internal SOC