<!-- Copyright (c) 2026 defconxt. All rights reserved. -->
<!-- Licensed under AGPL-3.0 — see LICENSE file for details. -->
---
name: implementing-edr-deployment
description: >-
  Deploy, configure, and validate Endpoint Detection and Response agents
  across enterprise endpoints. Covers agent installation, policy configuration,
  telemetry validation, exclusion management, and health monitoring for
  CrowdStrike, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, and SentinelOne.
domain: cybersecurity
subdomain: endpoint-security
tags:
  - edr
  - crowdstrike
  - defender-for-endpoint
  - sentinelone
  - agent-deployment
  - telemetry
version: "1.0"
author: defconxt
license: AGPL-3.0
metadata:
  mitre-attack:
    - T1562.001
    - T1036
    - T1070
---

# Implementing EDR Deployment

## Overview

EDR platforms provide real-time endpoint telemetry, behavioral detection, and
automated response capabilities. Successful deployment requires validated agent
installation, proper policy assignment, exclusion tuning to minimize performance
impact, and continuous health monitoring to ensure coverage gaps are identified.

## Prerequisites

| Requirement | Purpose |
|---|---|
| EDR console access | Administrative access to CrowdStrike/MDE/S1 console |
| Deployment tool | SCCM, Intune, GPO, or Ansible for agent distribution |
| Network access | Endpoints must reach EDR cloud or on-prem management server |
| Admin credentials | Local admin or SYSTEM for agent installation |

## Workflow

1. **Inventory endpoints** — Enumerate all endpoints requiring EDR coverage via AD/CMDB
2. **Prepare deployment package** — Download agent installer, configure install token/CID
3. **Define policies** — Create detection and prevention policies per endpoint group
4. **Deploy agents** — Push via SCCM/Intune/GPO/Ansible in staged rollout
5. **Validate telemetry** — Confirm heartbeat and event flow in EDR console
6. **Configure exclusions** — Add performance exclusions for known-good applications
7. **Enable prevention** — Escalate from detect-only to prevent mode after burn-in
8. **Monitor health** — Set alerts for offline agents, outdated sensor versions

## Key Commands

```powershell
# CrowdStrike Falcon — silent install (Windows)
CsInstallerx64.exe /install /quiet /norestart CID=<customer_id>-<checksum>

# Verify CrowdStrike agent status
sc query CrowdStrike
REG QUERY "HKLM\SYSTEM\CrowdStrike\{9b03c1d9-3138-44ed-9fae-d9f4c034b88d}\{16e0423f-7058-48c9-a204-725362b67639}\Default" /v CU

# Microsoft Defender for Endpoint — onboard via script
.\MicrosoftDefenderATPOnboardingScript.cmd

# Verify MDE sensor health
Get-MpComputerStatus | Select-Object AMRunningMode, RealTimeProtectionEnabled

# SentinelOne — silent install
SentinelOneInstaller.exe -q -t "<site_token>"

# Linux EDR agent (CrowdStrike)
sudo dpkg -i falcon-sensor_*.deb
sudo /opt/CrowdStrike/falconctl -s --cid=<CID>
sudo systemctl start falcon-sensor

# Check agent connectivity
Test-NetConnection -ComputerName ts01-b.cloudsink.net -Port 443
```

## Verification

| Check | Method |
|---|---|
| Agent installed | `sc query CrowdStrike` returns RUNNING |
| Telemetry flowing | Console shows heartbeat within last 5 minutes |
| Policy applied | Host assigned to correct prevention policy group |
| Exclusions active | Performance-sensitive apps not triggering false alerts |
| Sensor version current | Agent version matches latest N-1 release |

## References

- [CrowdStrike Falcon Deployment Guide](https://falcon.crowdstrike.com/documentation/)
- [Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Onboarding](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/)
- [SentinelOne Knowledge Base](https://support.sentinelone.com/)

---
v1.0 | Validated: 2026-03-18
