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On-Premises, Cloud, or Hybrid? Choosing the Right NDR Deployment Model

| Chris Sullins

Choosing the right deployment model for a Network Detection and Response (NDR) solution requires balancing factors like scalability, control, privacy, and operational complexity. Here’s a breakdown of on-premises, cloud, and hybrid options to help you make the best decision for your business.

On-Premises Deployment: Privacy and Control

An on-premises NDR solution enables organizations to monitor and analyze network traffic locally, either through physical or a virtualized infrastructure. This setup is ideal for businesses prioritizing data privacy, regulatory compliance, and direct control over security operations. The choice between physical and virtualized deployments depends on factors like performance, scalability, budget, and IT expertise.

  • Physical On-Premises

In a physical on-premises deployment, dedicated hardware is installed and operated within your organization’s physical infrastructure. A physical sensor is attached at the network switch to collect and analyze traffic.

This deployment model is best for organizations that need a dedicated, high-performance network monitoring solution with control over hardware. However, there are physical space and infrastructure requirements and scalability challenges as expanding capacity requires purchasing and installing new hardware.

  • Virtual On-Premises

Virtual on-premises deployments use a software-based virtual sensor, running on a virtual machineinstead of a physical server, that collects traffic from a virtual switch.

This approach offers the same core functionalities as the physical deployment but leverages existing virtualization infrastructure, reducing hardware costs and offering greater flexibility as virtual sensors can be easily created, modified, or redeployed as needed.

This deployment model is best for organizations that already have a virtualization platform and want a cost-effective, scalable solution.

Cloud Deployment: Scalability and Simplicity

Cloud deployments involve a virtual appliance that operates within your cloud environment, monitoring network traffic via cloud-based flow logs and metadata rather than capturing packets from a physical switch.

Cloud platforms offer exceptional scalability, allowing organizations to expand security coverage as needed without managing physical or virtual infrastructure.

This model is particularly beneficial for companies with remote workforces or multiple locations that need centralized threat visibility across distributed networks. However, cloud deployments may raise concerns about data sovereignty and regulatory compliance for some industries.

Hybrid Deployment: Agility and Security

A hybrid approach combines the strengths of both on-premises and cloud deployments. This flexibility allows organizations to maintain sensitive data analysis on-premises while leveraging cloud resources for scalability, management, or aggregated threat intelligence. Organizations can choose which network segments require on-premises monitoring for enhanced security, and which can be monitored via cloud-based sensors.

This approach is particularly valuable for organizations with complex infrastructures or those undergoing digital transformation, allowing them to strategically allocate resources as their network environment evolves. However, hybrid deployments can introduce additional complexity in network management if not integrated correctly.

Choosing the Right Model

The best NDR deployment model depends on your organization’s specific needs:

  • Control & Data Privacy: A physical on-premises deployment provides the highest level of control, ensuring sensitive data remains within your infrastructure, which is ideal for organizations with strict regulatory or privacy requirements.
  • Flexibility & Scalability: Virtual on-premises, cloud, and hybrid deployments offer greater agility, enabling businesses to scale seamlessly and adapt to evolving network demands.
  • Cost & Infrastructure: Virtual on-premises deployments reduce hardware costs, while cloud-based solutions minimize setup complexity.
  • Tailored Security: A hybrid approach combines on-premises control with cloud scalability, allowing organizations to customize their security strategy.

CYBERSPAN®: Deployment Flexibility for Every Business

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to NDR deployment and with CYBERSPAN®, you’re not locked into a single approach. CYBERSPAN®’s centralized management console facilitates seamless integration and management across both on-premises and cloud deployments, providing a unified view of the entire network’s security posture.

Flexible solutions like CYBERSPAN® that support multiple deployment options provide the adaptability needed to evolve your security posture alongside your business growth.