Managed detection and response (MDR) is quickly becoming one of the most prevalent cybersecurity service solutions. Due to its rising popularity, research firm Gartner estimates that “By 2025, 50 percent of organizations will be using MDR services for threat monitoring, detection, and response functions that offer threat containment capabilities.” That’s pretty compelling when such a respected voice sees a certain trend playing out over the next few years. But what is managed detection and response, and what about it is making it so widely adopted among enterprises?
What Is Managed Detection and Response?
At its core, MDR is a few things in one. At the most basic level, MDR combines the features of a security operations center (SOC) with some additional managed services to help organizations stay ahead of cyber threats. These are a few of the defining features of a quality MDR:
- Top-quality SOC and engineers – When it comes to cybersecurity, you want the best people working on your side. This is achievable when you opt for managed detection and response services from a respectable provider, such as Open Systems. Threats can appear at any time. With world-class experts watching over your networks, you can rest a bit easier at night. Furthermore, organizations will have dedicated analysts who are experts in their specific system. Having this level of personal care from a third-party provider with A-Team players can stop attacks in their tracks.
- Network and endpoint detection and response capabilities – While managed detection and response is sort of a general term for third-party security services, it’s essential they’re utilizing the correct tools for the job. Endpoint and network detection and response tools (EDR and NDR) are going to be critical for keeping networks secure. Endpoint security has become a particularly important security feature in today’s world. Due to greater remote working needs, as well as bring-your-own-device policies, enterprises need to do more than ever to keep networks secure—despite more people using personal devices to connect to networks from all kinds of locations. With AI-powered EDR tools, it’s possible to spot anomalistic behavior at endpoints sooner, which can cut the head off a threat before it’s allowed to reach its goal.
- Fast response times – Time is always of the essence when dealing with a cyber threat. The longer attacks can fester without being identified and contained, the better chance they have of moving laterally across networks and leading to data loss. With the right managed detection and response solution, enterprises will be able to stop attacks before they’re allowed to get out of hand.
As you can see, there are several compelling features to MDR solutions. But is adopting managed detection and response worth it for enterprises today?
Why Should Enterprises Consider Managed Detection and Response?
There’s usually a bit of well-deserved hesitation when an organization is thinking about adopting new tools or services. Concerns about the proper use of capital are always going to be present. But when dealing with cybersecurity, a field unfamiliar to many, these are often backed by questions as to whether a certain offering actually makes sense.
To address the first concern, MDR is actually a great way for enterprises to preserve their capital. On the front end, going with an MDR solution is less expensive than having to make in-house infrastructure and personnel investments. In the long term, organizations are likely to realize significant ROI simply through the avoidance of data loss. As malicious actors keep refining their techniques, firms should look to industry experts for threat remediation.
Beyond this, utilizing an MDR service can free up internal IT experts for other higher-level work within the organization. Outsourcing many of the monitoring and response aspects will allow for greater progress on overarching goals that wouldn’t get as much focus otherwise.
Enterprises should strongly consider how managed detection and response can help them get to a better place with their security posture. Choosing the right solution can improve cyber defenses while also freeing up capital and time for use elsewhere.
