Managed detection and response has become an increasingly popular tool for companies looking for ways to bolster their security strategies. That is why many companies have resorted to looking for managed detection and response vendors to improve the security of their business. However, MDR comes in many flavors, depending, in part, on the appropriate response levels required. And therefore, in this article, we will talk about the features of this approach to cybersecurity.
Why is the demand for MDR increasing?
One cannot help but agree that the number of cyber threats continues to grow at an alarming rate. From ransomware and remote access Trojans to phishing and wiper attacks, it’s hard enough to keep track of all types of attacks, let alone defend against them all. This growing list of threats, combined with a lack of internal resources, is leading more and more organizations to seek outside help. Managed detection and response (MDR) services are becoming increasingly popular, but with so many vendors of managed detection and response available, it can be difficult to choose the right one.
What is MDR?
For businesses that need to increase their capacity to swiftly identify and respond to online threats but lack the internal resources to do so, MDR provides an outsourced cybersecurity solution.
Currently, there are several suppliers of managed detection and response, tools, and solutions available on the market. While various vendors of managed detection and response, such as Underdefense, provide their own unique tools to identify and address threats, all MDR solutions typically have the following features in common:
- Despite the fact that the services are provided exactly at the customer’s location, vedor advocates only to provide MDR services exclusively using its own technologies and tools.
- MDR services rely heavily on sophisticated analytics and security event management.
- Even without taking into account the presence of automation, the provision of MDR services involves 24-hour monitoring of the network by specialists and regular reports.
What are the primary advantages?
For any kind of outsourced service, this is accurate: The key benefit of MDR is that it may provide clients with a whole team of security experts for a set fee. This is incredibly helpful for organizations of all sizes because they are seeking for a pre-made solution. In addition, there is a significant lack of trained cyber security people worldwide at the moment, making this a genuinely priceless asset.
A number of cutting-edge cybersecurity products and services from vendors like Underdefense that would otherwise be prohibitively expensive may also be made available to customers via MDR. Delivering entirely tailored solutions based on unique client requirements may often be difficult, even for the biggest and most inventive in-house teams. Because some suppliers really provide these things.
However, helping to halt and prevent cyberattacks as well as detecting them is the primary task that MDR providers perform. They take the time to determine the validity of each threat before reporting it in order to decrease false positives for consumers and minimize alert fatigue. If a genuine risk is found, MDR service providers will collaborate closely with the client and give the tools required to eliminate it as quickly as feasible.
MDR vs MSS: what are the differences?
You have probably come across another similar area of cyber security services – MSS. MDR appears to be similar to managed security services (MSS) at first glance. But if you study these two types of services in more detail, you can find many differences.
The first fundamental difference is the degree of coverage. MDR service providers rely on event logs generated either by their own tools or by vendor tools that are already integrated into the customer’s security system. They are placed on site and remotely controlled. On the other hand, MSS can function with a much wider range of different contexts and logs, but the key difference is that the client is responsible for providing data to the MSS provider.
The next difference is incident response. Remote incident response is usually included in the standard MDR service fee, so you only need a separate retainer if you additionally want on-site incident response. On the other hand, many MSS providers have different retention requirements for onsite and remote incident response.
Next, let’s talk about communication. Through MDR’s service delivery structure, clients receive significantly more day-to-day interaction with hired security professionals and analysts. On the contrary, in the case of obtaining MSS services, communication between the client and the vendor is carried out mainly through e-mail or specialized portals.
Is MDR for you?
If you are considering using MDR to improve your company’s security, there are a few things you should consider before making your final decision.
MDR solutions, like most services you may see on the market, are not created equal. The tools, technologies, and services provided by different vendors may vary significantly. That is why you should determine your needs, research the position on the market, and only then choose one of the vendors to whom you will turn. Also keep in mind that MDR vendors must complement your existing security program. If you currently have a number of tools or specialists, look for a vendor that has a similar approach to quickly integrate into your company’s existing security processes.
Finally, while compliance is not the primary goal of the MDR, data and privacy standards must still be followed. You should make sure that the supplier with whom you will cooperate can fulfill all the requirements for compliance.
The cybersecurity threat landscape is evolving and growing at an alarming rate, and the ability of many companies to protect themselves using only internal resources is becoming increasingly limited. If your company finds itself in these circumstances, an MDR solution can provide an excellent approach to quickly and cost-effectively strengthening your defenses. However, choosing the right partner is critical, so do your homework before signing the deal. Therefore, you should carefully approach the choice of service provider, and pay attention to providers, such as Underdefense, with a good reputation.
