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* Prioritizing Impact: A Pr...

# Prioritizing Impact: A Practical Framework for XDR Success

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By [Dena De Angelo](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/author/ddeangelo/?ts=markdown "Posts by Dena De Angelo")  
Dec 04, 2025  
3 minutes  
[Must-Read Articles](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/must-read-articles/?ts=markdown)  
[Product Features](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/product-features/?ts=markdown)  
[Cortex XDR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/cortex-xdr/?ts=markdown)  
[Dark Reading](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/dark-reading/?ts=markdown)  
[XDR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/xdr/?ts=markdown)

Extended Detection and Response (XDR) promises to solve one of security operations' most persistent problems: too many alerts, too many disconnected tools, and too many blind spots. But turning that promise into reality requires a deliberate, phased approach that prioritizes security impact.

During a recent[Dark Reading webinar](https://dr-resources.darkreading.com/free/w_palo365/?p=w_palo365), security experts outlined a practical framework for XDR implementation that moves beyond vendor hype. Dr. Jason Clark, independent security researcher, joined Dan Flaherty and Alice Nguyen from the Cortex team at Palo Alto Networks to share insights from real-world deployments.

**The Crisis of Noise in Security Operations**

Large enterprises now use an average of 70+ security tools. Rather than improving protection, this proliferation creates overwhelming alert fatigue. As Clark noted: "Teams are not struggling from a lack of data, they're actually overwhelmed by it."

Modern attacks span on-premises data centers, cloud, SaaS platforms and remote devices---each with its own logs and monitoring tools. Without a unifying layer, the enterprise view becomes fractured. The outcome is predictable: complexity, fatigue and burnout. SOCs become reactive, chasing tickets without gaining ground on attackers.

**Why EDR Needs to Expand into XDR**

[Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-endpoint-detection-and-response-edr) provides strong device-level visibility, but cyberattacks rarely stop at endpoints. They move laterally, steal credentials and exploit cloud workloads.

XDR extends visibility by connecting activity across your attack surface. Clark offers a helpful analogy: "EDR almost works like a microscope focused on endpoints, while XDR would be more of a wide angle lens across the entire enterprise."

This unified view improves analyst efficiency---working inside a single case view instead of flipping between multiple consoles and manually piecing together fragments.

**Implementation Best Practices**

The webinar outlined key strategies for XDR success:

* **Start with high-value signals:** Focus first on identity, email and endpoint activity---where most attacks begin
* **Expand gradually:** Don't enable every connector on day one; add new feeds strategically based on which blind spots they close
* **Introduce automation carefully:** Begin with enrichment rather than containment, keeping humans in the loop until confidence grows
* **Align people and processes:** Update workflows and train analysts on how XDR changes investigations---technology underperforms when adoption lags

**Measuring What Matters**

XDR's value is demonstrated through measurable outcomes:

* * * **Mean Time to Respond (MTTR):** Track how quickly your SOC moves from detection to containment
    * **Automated triage:** Measure how many alerts the system handles automatically, freeing analysts for threat hunting
    * **Multi-source coverage:** Evaluate how often incidents include evidence from multiple sources---proof that XDR is delivering unified visibility.

> "Success really comes from outcomes such as faster response, higher triage efficiency, broader incident visibility and improved analyst effectiveness." ---Dr. Jason Clark

**The Human Factor**

XDR success depends as much on the people who use it as the technology itself. Analysts don't need another raw data stream---they need consolidation. Strong XDR platforms eliminate noise, highlight actual threats and deliver surrounding context automatically.

When XDR reduces clutter, delivers context and empowers people, the SOC becomes faster, sharper and more resilient.

### Watch the on-demand webinar, [*Enterprise XDR Implementation Advice from Cybersecurity Pros Who Know*](https://dr-resources.darkreading.com/free/w_palo365/?p=w_palo365) to hear the full discussion on building a practical XDR implementation framework that delivers real security impact.

*** ** * ** ***

## Related Blogs

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[#### How Cortex XDR Global Analytics Protects Against Supply Chain Attacks](https://origin-researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/how-cortex-xdr-global-analytics-protects-against-supply-chain-attacks/)

### [Announcement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/announcement/?ts=markdown), [Company \& Culture](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/company-culture/?ts=markdown), [Must-Read Articles](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/must-read-articles/?ts=markdown), [News and Events](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/news-and-events/?ts=markdown), [Product Features](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/product-features/?ts=markdown), [Products and Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/products-and-services/?ts=markdown)

[#### 2022 MITRE Engenuity ATT\&CK Evaluations Results](https://origin-researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2022/03/mitre-engenuity-evaluations-round-4-results/)

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[#### XDR + XSOAR: A Dynamic Duo](https://origin-researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/xdr-xsoar-a-dynamic-duo/)

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