For your team
Migrate to Skyone
Featured products
Ecosystem and collaboration
The death of antivirus and the era of XDR: a new defense strategy
Closing your eyes to danger doesn't make it invisible: it only makes it more devastating when it reveals itself.
Imagine a threat operating within your infrastructure for almost seven weeks undetected. IBM report , in 2023, the average time to identify a data breach was 204 days, with another 73 days until its containment, totaling an impressive 277 days of exposure .
This data reveals something critical: many companies are still trying to defend themselves against modern attacks with tools from the past . Traditional antivirus programs operate based on signatures and only react to what is already known. The problem is that current threats are multi-vector, disguised, and too fast for this type of approach.
As IT environments become more distributed, with endpoints , cloud, network, and email interconnected, the need for a defense that sees the whole picture, connects the dots, and reacts intelligently grows. This is where XDR comes in: a new protection strategy that replaces a fragmented view with an integrated and automated response.
In this article, we'll understand why antivirus software has lost its leading role, how XDR responds to the complexity of modern attacks, and what to consider to take this leap in maturity in your company's digital security.
Happy reading!
For a long time, antivirus software was like a good padlock: you just had to install it and keep everything updated to sleep soundly. But times have changed , and with them, the way digital attacks happen.
According to the Ponemon Institute , 68% of companies have already been the target of successful attacks on their endpoints , even with active antivirus software. This data reveals that current threats don't ask permission to enter. They disguise themselves, operate silently, and often escape through the same paths that the antivirus promised to protect .
Traditional antivirus software works like a building doorman who only bars those he already knows, through signatures , which are catalogs of known threats. But what happens when the attacker changes clothes, or uses the credentials of someone authorized? That's where the risk lies. And it is precisely this type of risk that cybercriminals exploit today , with attacks that move between systems, use multiple steps, and follow no pattern whatsoever.
Nowadays, the role of antivirus software has changed . It has gone from being the protagonist to occupying a supporting position , and this shift is not just technological, it's strategic. Those who still insist on the old model are, without realizing it, giving up visibility, response time, and control.
From this shift , new solutions emerge, such as XDR ( Extended Detection and Response ), built to see what the antivirus doesn't see and react where it can't reach. Let's understand how this evolution happened?
Digital protection is no longer static: it evolves with attacks , and companies that keep up with this movement are always one step ahead. Traditional antivirus was an initial milestone , offering a barrier against known threats. But as attacks became more dynamic and less predictable, the need arose for a more attentive, continuous, and intelligent approach.
This is how EDR ( Endpoint Detection and Response was born , a technology that significantly expanded visibility into endpoints , the devices where most attacks begin . With EDR, companies gained the ability to monitor suspicious behavior, isolate threats, and act quickly before they spread. For many organizations, it is still the first major leap towards more proactive security.
But as IT environments become more interconnected , uniting networks, cloud, email , and applications, a new challenge arises: attacks that cross multiple fronts and are not limited to a single point of entry. In these scenarios, acting only at the endpoint is no longer sufficient.
This is where XDR comes into play; not replacing EDR, but expanding it . XDR connects different layers of the digital environment, correlates data from multiple sources, and automates responses based on the complete context of the threat.
While EDR is like a smart security camera at each door, XDR is the monitoring center that sees the entire house, cross-references the information, and acts with precision.
This evolution is less about replacing a tool and more about expanding defense capabilities in increasingly complex environments. And understanding this difference is what allows for coordinated, precise, and real-time reactions.
But how does this advancement translate into the daily work of security teams? It's time to move beyond the concept and see the impact of XDR on real-world operations.
Imagine trying to assemble a jigsaw puzzle with pieces scattered in different drawers. That's how many companies still operate their digital security: with tools that don't communicate with each other, disconnected alerts, and investigations that begin in the dark .
XDR turns this logic upside down. It brings the pieces together in real time, connecting endpoints , network, emails , applications, and the cloud, to transform a sequence of noise into a clear alert, with context, cause, and consequence . Instead of scattered reactions, what you get with XDR is an orchestrated response, based on everything that is happening in the environment.
In the daily routine of security teams, this change is palpable . That avalanche of alerts that required manual triage begins to make sense. Risk signals stop competing for attention and are prioritized based on criticality. What used to take hours to investigate is now resolved in minutes, and with more confidence in the decision .
This ability to cross-reference information and respond intelligently changes the way we approach threats. But this is only possible because XDR combines specific features designed for complex environments and unpredictable threats.
In the next section, we will explore these features in detail and understand what makes XDR indispensable in a modern cybersecurity strategy!
While talking about the evolution of digital security may sound "abstract," XDR translates this into concrete actions, with features that directly address the challenges of modern environments .
Next, we detail the pillars that make this technology crucial for companies that can no longer operate in the dark.
5.1. Advanced detection of multi-vector threats
Cyberattacks rarely follow a single path. Today, it's common for them to begin with a email , advance to the network, and only then reach critical servers or cloud systems. This layered movement , called a multi-vector attack, challenges any solution that operates in isolation.
Fortunately, XDR was designed to handle this type of threat: it integrates data from various sources ( endpoints , network, cloud , identity, email , etc.) to coordinated activities contextual view is essential for detecting advanced attacks in a timely manner.
The MITRE ATT&CK Framework highlights how lateral movement is a common tactic among attackers, especially when there are integration failures between defense systems. The ability to correlate events across different layers is therefore a key differentiator in containing this type of attack before it compromises critical assets.
5.2. Event Correlation and Automated Response
One of the biggest pain points for security teams is the excess of disconnected alerts . When each tool points to a different risk, without communicating effectively, time is wasted trying to piece together a puzzle without a real reference image.
XDR solves this by automatically correlating events from different sources. It connects the dots, identifies cause-and-effect relationships, and acts in an orchestrated way: isolating a device, blocking suspicious traffic, triggering scripts , or prioritizing notifications for the team based on the criticality of the alerts.
According to research by Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG), approximately 81% of organizations report that automating and correlating alerts via XDR significantly improves incident response time , especially in a scenario of staff shortages and the use of diverse data sources.
Furthermore, the same study indicates that XDR reduces redundant alerts, increases the visibility of coordinated threats, and accelerates operational incident response, improving the overall effectiveness of security teams.
5.3. Support for compliance and regulatory standards
Information security has ceased to be a technical choice and has become a legal requirement . Laws such as LGPD, GDPR, HIPAA, and standards such as ISO 27001 demand not only active protection but also recording, traceability, and documented incident response.
XDR offers exactly that: every detected event and every action taken is recorded in a structured and auditable way compliance processes, and strengthens trust with clients, partners, and regulatory bodies, especially in sectors such as Healthcare, Finance, and Critical Services.
5.4. Optimizing the work of security teams
The shortage of cybersecurity professionals is a global reality. In 2024, the estimated deficit was around 4.8 million professionals, according to the Cybersecurity Workforce study by (ISC)² . This means that, even with more than 5.5 million active specialists, there is still a significant gap between supply and demand in the sector.
In this scenario, teams need to be more efficient with fewer resources , and XDR is a great ally in this mission. Its technology helps reduce the noise of false positives, consolidates alerts in a unified dashboard, and automates a large part of incident response. This frees analysts to focus on what really matters: investigating, deciding, and planning medium- and long-term strategies.
Furthermore, by centralizing information and prioritizing risks based on criticality and context, XDR reduces the emotional and operational overload of teams. This allows for more focused, proactive action with fewer unnecessary emergencies.
These features demonstrate that XDR is not just another layer in the security architecture, but the connection point between everything that already exists and what needs to evolve. It transforms data into decisions, noise into priorities, and alerts into concrete actions.
But beyond the technical capabilities, what does XDR actually deliver to operations? That's what we're going to explore now.
By adopting XDR, companies are not only modernizing their protection: they are changing the way they approach digital security , moving from something reactive and fragmented to an integrated, intelligent posture aligned with operations.
With it, security ceases to be a hindrance or a constant source of urgency and becomes a direct ally for continuity and growth . See the main benefits of this approach:
- Reduced exposure time and critical disruptions : With faster, context-based responses, XDR decreases the interval between the first sign of risk and incident containment. This protects operational flows and ensures that an isolated threat does not paralyze the entire company.
- Minimizing financial and operational losses : data breaches and attacks like ransomware represent direct losses , such as lost productivity, service unavailability, and reputational damage. XDR acts on the first signs of an attack, limiting its reach and preventing it from compromising critical areas of the company;
- Greater stability and resilience in daily operations : by working continuously and in an integrated way, XDR reduces the invisible risks that silently compromise operations. It supports business continuity, even in dynamic and distributed environments, ensuring security without rigidifying processes.
- Scalability without increasing complexity : As the company grows, new systems, users, and units come into play. XDR keeps pace with this growth without requiring tool stacking or architecture redesign. It maintains efficient protection, even with more variables at play.
- Smarter decisions with less operational strain : With consolidated data, prioritized alerts, and reduced noise, XDR frees teams to act more strategically. This means less effort on manual triage and more time to anticipate risks, plan improvements, and make evidence-based decisions.
- Supporting compliance in a fluid and auditable way : XDR documents each step of detection and response, which simplifies audits and reinforces transparency in relation to standards such as LGPD, ISO 27001 and sectoral requirements. Thus, security becomes part of governance, and not a bottleneck for it.
This operational maturity is not a side effect of technology: it is the direct result of an approach that unites security, automation, and context in a single, continuous, and intelligent flow. But for XDR to deliver all this value, it's necessary to understand if, and when, your company is ready to take this leap .
Every technology has its right time, and when we talk about XDR (X-Defense and Response), that time usually doesn't begin with a serious incident, but with subtle signs that the current model no longer keeps up with the reality of the business.
It could be an increase in alerts without a clear explanation, or the frustration of investigating the same type of threat through different paths, in systems that don't communicate with each other. And also the realization that with each new digital project, a new invisible vulnerability .
In other words: the shift to XDR begins when the complexity of the operation exceeds the response capacity of your current security.
See if any of these situations sound familiar:
- The team spends more time investigating than acting , because each tool reveals a different aspect of the problem;
- Risks move between the cloud, network, email , and endpoints , and security cannot keep up with this movement.
- Audits require records that take hours (or days) to compile manually ;
- The company grows, but each new system requires a different solution to be protected;
- Prevention works until something goes unnoticed , and nobody understands how it happened.
If you recognize this scenario, perhaps your company is already more than ready. Because XDR isn't just an "extra layer": it's a change in strategy . It's a new way of seeing, prioritizing, and acting.
At Skyone , we believe that security isn't just about tools, but about applied intelligence, end-to-end visibility, and context-based decisions . That's why our XDR model goes beyond the technical basics: it combines expanded detection with coordinated response, all within a natively integrated architecture.
Our solution is supported by three fundamental pillars:
- True cross-layer connectivity : We integrate the main attack vectors ( endpoints , network, cloud, email , and identity) into a single protection mesh. This eliminates operational silos, expands detection capabilities, and allows responses to happen where the attack actually advances.
- Automation with true intelligence : we automate the response without losing critical thinking. This means that containment, blocking, and remediation actions occur in real time, based on context, supported by global threat data and local telemetry. Security gains speed without sacrificing precision.
- Experts by your side, not apart : with our team, you're not alone in the face of a crisis. We offer continuous operation, strategic reporting, and advisory support that helps your company evolve in security maturity, focusing on what really matters: resilience and continuity.
This is what sets Skyone apart : combining advanced technology and strategic vision so that the XDR is not just another defense, but a vector for transformation .
Want to see how this model fits your company's reality? Talk to a Skyone specialist now and discover how to take the next step in your smart protection journey.
The logic of traditional antivirus software no longer keeps pace with reality. In a scenario where threats are fast, stealthy, and distributed, waiting for known signatures is the same as reacting too late. Therefore, XDR emerges as a response to this mismatch: a solution that not only detects but understands, correlates, and acts in real time, based on context and prioritization .
Throughout this article, we've seen that XDR represents more than just a technology: it symbolizes a new defense mindset , driven by intelligence, automation, and layered integration. A necessary shift for companies that need to grow without sacrificing security, scale without losing visibility, and innovate responsibly.
At Skyone , we combine technology and strategy so that this advancement happens smoothly and purposefully . Our approach connects security and business continuously, with human support and intelligence applied to every decision.
If you enjoyed this text, how about complementing your journey? For that, we recommend reading this other article published on our blog endpoint security solutions for immune companies”.
With the increasing complexity of cyberattacks, the term "XDR" has gained prominence in conversations about digital security, but not always with the clarity it requires.
If you still have doubts about what this technology means, how it differs from other solutions, or what to expect in practice, this section was created to answer the most frequently asked questions directly and strategically .
1) What does XDR mean in practice?
XDR ( Extended Detection and Response) is an integrated cybersecurity approach that connects different layers of the digital environment (such as endpoints , network, email , cloud, and identity) to detect, correlate, and respond to threats in a coordinated manner. In practice, this means greater visibility, faster response times, and reduced operational risks, with automation and contextual intelligence.
2) What is the difference between EDR and XDR?
Endpoint Detection and (EDR ) focuses on protecting endpoints , such as computers and servers, by offering local detection and response. XDR, on the other hand, expands this reach by integrating multiple data sources into a single view. It allows for the identification of more sophisticated attacks that move between different vectors, enabling a more precise and rapid response.
3) How does an integrated XDR work?
An integrated XDR continuously collects and cross-references data from different sources, generating real-time visibility across the entire attack surface. It uses threat intelligence and behavioral analysis to detect suspicious movements, prioritizes risks based on criticality, and automates responses such as machine isolation or traffic blocking. All of this on a single platform, which reduces noise and increases the effectiveness of protection.
Start transforming your company
Test the platform or schedule a conversation with our experts to understand how Skyone can accelerate your digital strategy.