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Combining advanced tech tools and human expertise, managed detection and response (MDR) is a comprehensive cybersecurity service that helps organizations protect against threats. With MDR, you can effectively detect, prevent, and respond to cybersecurity incidents, reducing the risk of successful attacks and ensuring a robust defense against evolving threats.
In this article, we’ll cover why MDR is essential to any security team and what to look out for in choosing an MDR solution provider. Finally, we’ll provide an overview of the top 10 MDR services in the market today.
Why Is MDR Important?
Incorporating an MDR solution into your cybersecurity strategy not only bolsters your security posture, it also contributes to your organization’s long-term resilience.Improved Security Posture
MDR provides valuable insights and recommendations for improving security defenses. The service continuously monitors and analyzes network traffic, endpoint activity, log files, and other data sources to detect vulnerabilities and suspicious activity. In turn, these insights enable businesses to identify and address vulnerabilities in their security defenses, strengthening their overall security posture. By proactively identifying and resolving vulnerabilities, organizations can minimize the risk of cyberattacks and protect their critical assets and sensitive data from potential breaches.Better Resilience
MDR also plays a crucial role in enhancing organizational resilience. MDR providers work collaboratively with businesses to develop and implement incident response plans. This preparedness enables organizations to respond promptly and effectively to security breaches, mitigating the impact and downtime associated with cyber attacks. MDR also provides threat intelligence, which informs organizations about emerging threats, attack trends, and best practices for mitigating risks. This knowledge empowers organizations to make informed decisions, adapt their security strategies, and stay ahead of developing cyber threats.What You Should Look for in an MDR Provider
The spectrum of MDR services available on the market is broad. Some providers offer AI-driven threat intelligence, while others specialize in state-of-the-art customer support. The factors below are arguably the most critical when selecting an MDR service.Deep Expertise
A key factor in choosing a provider is whether they have a proven track record of expertise in cybersecurity. Consider their years of experience in the field, their success in detecting and responding to cybersecurity threats, and their industry reputation. Providers should also offer a team of skilled security analysts with deep expertise in threat detection, incident response, and vulnerability management. Apart from these considerations, you should check that the provider specializes in security services important to your organization.Rapid Threat Eradication
Not only should your MDR service eradicate threats within minutes of detection, but it should also provide 24/7 continuous monitoring and remediation.Risk and Cost Reduction
Your provider should offer flexible pricing models, transparent pricing structures, and reasonable costs that align with your budget and requirements. On the risk side, their aim should be the reduction of both the likelihood and impact of cybersecurity incidents, minimizing downtime and data breaches. Finally, the solution they offer should be able to adapt to your organization’s growth, technology stack, and the evolving threat landscape — without raising your costs or causing disruptions.Top 10 Managed Detection & Response Providers
(in alphabetical order) In this section, we will analyze the following ten MDR providers and explore their unique value propositions.MDR by Arctic Wolf
Eden Prairie, MN | 2012 | www.arcticwolf.com
Arctic Wolf is an organization that reduces cyber risk, implementing security operations through the strengthening of existing IT and security controls. The company also regularly evaluates clients’ cybersecurity postures while implementing strategic measures for improvement.
Arctic Wolf MDR’s unique feature is its Concierge Security model, where its security experts work in close contact with a client’s IT or security team to provide continuous monitoring and oversight. This model combines deep security operations expertise with a tailored approach, including threat hunting, alert prioritization, security posture assessments, and risk management.
Falcon Complete by CrowdStrike
Austin, TX | 2011 | www.crowdstrike.com
CrowdStrike is a global cybersecurity leader with an advanced cloud-native platform for protecting endpoints, cloud workloads, identities, and data.
CrowdStrike Falcon® Complete is a managed detection and response solution designed to proactively stop breaches across endpoints, cloud workloads, and identities.
Powered 24/7 by a team of security experts in monitoring and management with human threat hunters, AI-driven threat intelligence, and end-to-end, hands-on surgical remediation, Falcon Complete provides organizations with powerful and mature security operations, saving them the costs of building and managing it themselves.
MDR by Expel
Herndon, VA | 2016 | www.expel.com
Expel is an MDR provider focusing on threat hunting, phishing, and remediation.
Expel MDR is a service that provides 24/7 monitoring, real-time threat detection, log management, threat intelligence, and incident response. It emphasizes transparency through regular communication and reporting to build trust and customers’ understanding of their security posture.
Alert Logic MDR by Fortra
Eden Prairie, MN | 1982 | www.fortra.com
Fortra is a company that provides integrated and scalable solutions to simplify and strengthen cybersecurity.
Alert Logic MDR by Fortra is a proactive security service that monitors an organization’s environment with advanced technology. It provides log management, threat intelligence, incident response, and vulnerability management services. Additionally, this MDR service offers regular reporting and communication to inform customers of potential threats, focusing on cloud security across multiple providers.
Security Experts by Microsoft
Redmond, WA | 1975 | www.microsoft.com
Microsoft is a global company that provides technology services and develops, licenses, and sells computer software, consumer electronics, and personal computers.
The Microsoft Security Experts service (launched in May 2022) leverages advanced threat intelligence and machine learning for real-time threat analysis and faster detection and response. It provides customized guidance to improve customers’ security posture. The service integrates with other Microsoft security tools and services.
Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks
Santa Clara, CA | 2005 | www.paloalotonetworks.com
Palo Alto Networks offers network security solutions for various industries using innovative approaches, like machine learning and automation.
Cortex XDR is a security platform that automates and streamlines security operations using advanced analytics and machine learning to identify and provide actionable insights on threats. It’s highly scalable and customizable to cater to customer needs.
GreyMatter by ReliaQuest
Tampa, FL | 2007 | www.reliaquest.com
ReliaQuest provides cybersecurity solutions to help organizations improve their security and reduce the risk of cyber threats. They offer managed detection and response, threat hunting, and security analytics services.
ReliaQuest’s GreyMatter platform offers automated threat detection, response, and advanced analytics for improved threat hunting and a unified view of the security environment. GreyMatter integrates with existing security tools for a single glass pane to manage security operations and provides state-of-the-art customer service and support to help customers succeed in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.
Taegis ManagedXDR by Secureworks
Atlanta, GA | 1999 | www.secureworks.com
Secureworks offers cybersecurity solutions to improve organizations’ security posture and reduce cyber threats. Their services include managed detection and response, threat intelligence, and security consulting, with a global presence in over 50 countries.
Taegis ManagedXDR by Secureworks is a 24/7 MDR service that uses advanced technologies like threat intelligence, analytics, and machine learning to provide a proactive approach to cybersecurity. Its unified platform integrates multiple security tools and data sources, offering comprehensive visibility and correlation of security events that bring quick identification and response to potential threats.
Vigilance Respond by SentinelOne
Mountainview, CA | 2013 | www.sentinelone.com
SentinelOne offers a next-generation endpoint security platform that protects organizations against advanced threats, including file-less and zero-day attacks on various endpoints, such as laptops, servers, and IoT devices.
Vigilance Respond is a SentinelOne MDR service that uses real-time, advanced threat detection and response. The service includes automated response capabilities, support, and its patented ActiveEDR technology for endpoint visibility and control.
MDR by Sophos
Abingdon, UK | 1985 | www.sophos.com
Sophos is a cybersecurity company that provides endpoint protection, network security, cloud security, encryption, and mobile security solutions to protect businesses and individuals from cyber threats.
Sophos MDR is a managed security service that detects and responds to threats in real time using machine learning and human expertise The service uses 24/7 monitoring and support, provides regular reports and insights, and leverages endpoint and network security.
Conclusion
MDR services have become vital for organizations looking to safeguard their sensitive data and critical assets. These services combine advanced threat detection technologies, 24/7 monitoring, and expert analysis to provide businesses with threat detection and response.
In this article, we highlighted the leading MDR providers in the cybersecurity industry, considering their value propositions and key differentiators. When choosing an MDR solution, organizations must consider factors like integration with other security tools, real-time threat analysis capabilities, and the expertise and resources of the service provider.
