Learn what MDR is, its benefits, and what makes it different from managed security service providers (MSSP).
Definition Definition Benefits of MDR Is MDR Better Than MSSP? Choosing the Right OptionManaged detection and response (MDR) Managed Detection and Response (MDR) is akin to integrating a team of Security Operations Center (SOC) experts directly into your workforce. This service enhances your cybersecurity posture by providing skilled professionals who offer continuous monitoring, sophisticated threat analysis, and swift incident response for your EDR or XDR tools. It effectively extends your security capabilities with the expertise needed to combat the most advanced cyber threats, acting as an extension of your own staff but with the added benefit of specialized knowledge and round-the-clock vigilance.
MDR emphasizes proactive threat management, targeting the identification and neutralization of cyber threats rather than mere compliance with regulations or insurance underwriters. This forward-looking approach enhances security measures, which can also improve compliance as a secondary benefit.
MDR services relieve organizations from the complexity of sourcing and managing the bulk of their endpoint security configurations. This allows for an advanced, managed security posture without the need for significant internal resources.
MDR relies on combining human expertise with the deep analysis of security events and customized policies to bolster an organization's defenses. This approach ensures a dynamic workflow to the evolving threat landscape.
Despite the high level of automation in MDR tools, human expertise is essential for critical tasks such as constant monitoring, in-depth analysis of security events, and effective communication within the bounds of service level agreements. This blend of technology and human insight provides a comprehensive security solution.
MDR services include essential actions for responding to security incidents, from prioritizing alerts, to building exceptions, to isolating threats, and addressing vulnerabilities. This ensures a swift and targeted response to mitigate potential damage.
With MDR, security teams can improve their cyber resilience and quickly mitigate damage. Here are a few of the problems that MDR services can solve.
Accurately identifying threats and prioritizing them based on severity is vital to maintaining an organization's cybersecurity environment. MDR teams/services help by discerning between critical threats and reducing the number of alerts that require no remediation.
Automated advanced threat detection with endpoint protection with a managed security service is like adding SOC staff to a company’s roster, freeing up resources for proactive tasks.
Delayed security threat notifications can result in significant damage. The quicker you identify and respond to threats, the less impact your organization experiences. An MDR team the focuses on your environment 24 hours a day minimizes the effects of security events by immediately notifying you of threats and following through with pre- or post-event response actions.
Global Threat Landscape Report 2H 2023
FortiGuard Labs Global Threat Landscape Report 2H 2023 shows Cybercriminals Exploiting New Industry Vulnerabilities 43% Faster than 1H 2023.
Download NowMost businesses will be using an MDR service by the end of this year. Some common use cases include:
With MDR, your system is monitored around the clock by seasoned security operations center (SOC) professionals. This enhances your security and provides you with up-to-date communication regarding issues.
With an MDR managed security service, you can assume a proactive stance when it comes to going after threats, as opposed to simply reacting after your organization has been impacted by a threat.
An MDR can enhance your threat response capabilities, regardless of the resources on your network. If needed, an MDR can be used in conjunction with an endpoint detection and response (EDR) system, which addresses threats by installing sensors on specific endpoints.
An MDR and a managed security service provider (MSSP) have similar qualities, but some key differences may move you to choose one over the other.
With an MSSP, coverage is often more comprehensive, similar to SOC-as-a-Service (SOCaaS). The client makes the decision as to which data gets sent to the MSSP. With MDR, the service provider uses the event logs their tools provide.
Compliance reporting is a common facet of an MSSP, but it is rarely performed by MDR.
MDR involves more interaction with human analysts, whereas MSSPs typically involve electronic communication, such as through emails or robot dialers.
With MDR, you may have easier access to on-site incident response by simply adding it to your retained services for a fee. Also, you tend to get remote incident response included in the service package. With MSSP, you need a separate retainer for both on-site and remote incident response.
When you are ready to improve the security profile of your organization, it can be difficult to choose between an SOC, MDR, or security information and event management (SIEM).
With a SOC, you get an in-house team dedicated to protecting your organization, but for some companies, the cost may be prohibitive. With a comprehensive MDR solution, you are very well-covered, but you have to trust that the MDR’s tools are sufficient for your needs.
A SIEM gives you a large collection of logs that can be useful for in-depth analysis or pattern recognition. An MDR, on the other hand, seeks to identify only the most meaningful logs, which may be limiting for some IT teams’ goals.
Fortinet and the FortiGuard Managed Detection and Response (MDR) service can help customers with advanced threat identification and remediation. The FortiEDR and FortiXDR advanced endpoint security platforms offer around-the-clock monitoring. Work to protect your organization at every level, using technology at the forefront to proactively hunt and mitigate threats before they materialize.