Network Detection and Response (NDR) tools are highly effective at identifying cyber threats hidden in network traffic, but deploying these tools requires a careful balance between strong threat detection capabilities and the need to protect data privacy. A key part in striking that balance is deciding where the traffic analysis takes place. NDR solutions can either analyze traffic data on-premises or send that data to a cloud service for analysis. This choice affects privacy, performance, and compliance.

The Evolution of Network Security Cybersecurity is an evolving game, where defenders must anticipate and counteract threats before they escalate. As networks expand across on-premises, cloud, and Internet of Things (IoT) environments, the challenge of detecting and mitigating threats has never been greater.

Why It Matters in Securing Your Network  Not all network traffic is the same. Depending on where it’s headed and where it came from, network traffic can behave differently and pose different security challenges. Some threats come from the outside or involve sensitive data being exfiltrated out of the network, which is north-south traffic. Other threats move quietly within the network itself, spreading laterally through east-west traffic.  Network Traffic Directions  Let’s take a look at the difference between north-south and east-west in the context of network traffic.   North-South Traffic  North-south traffic refers to data that travels between your internal network and external