Managed detection and response (MDR) services have become increasingly important for organizations seeking to enhance their security measures. MDR offers businesses the opportunity to outsource the management of endpoint detection and response (EDR) products across their network domains. These services utilize real-time threat-hunting capabilities to detect and mitigate malicious activities on individual endpoints, while also alerting the service provider’s security operations center (SOC) for further investigation. By leveraging the expertise of security specialists, MDR services alleviate the complexities and criticality associated with security operations.
There are various types of MDR solutions available, each tailored to an organization’s specific technology environment and risk requirements. These include bring-your-own security stacks (hybrid) which integrate with existing security products, full vendor-supplied MDR stacks which operate independently, cloud MDR solutions delivered through a centrally managed cloud platform, managed extended detection and response (managed XDR) solutions that go beyond endpoint detection to include email, cloud services, IoT devices, and more, and custom MDR solutions designed to meet unique requirements.
An effective MDR solution consists of several EDR agents, including workstation agents, server agents, network security monitoring agents, email server agents, DNS server agents, IoT or medical device agents, and ICS or SCADA security agents.
To evaluate the quality of an MDR solution, it is important to assess the associated EDR products and cybersecurity services separately. Key considerations include the solution’s malware detection and response capabilities, its threat detection capabilities for known and unknown threats, the MDR provider’s service commitment in terms of support availability and service-level agreements, and the customization and remediation options offered by the MDR provider.
BlackBerry’s MDR buyer’s guide provides additional insights into the cost of building versus buying an MDR solution and other considerations.
Selecting the right MDR provider requires a comprehensive analysis of an organization’s risk requirements and operational technologies. Decision-makers must have a clear understanding of their network’s critical assets, sensitive data, employed technologies, and relevant threat landscape. Independent research reports like the MITRE Enginuity ATT&CK Evaluations can offer valuable information on how vendors’ products perform against simulated attacks, aiding in the comparison of different solutions.
MDR has become an essential security solution for organizations looking to detect, respond, and mitigate threats across their network infrastructure. By choosing the right MDR provider and solution, organizations can strengthen their security posture and protect their critical assets from evolving cyber threats.
In today’s digital landscape, businesses of all sizes face the challenge of securing a growing number of devices, each representing a potential vulnerability. This task becomes even more daunting for small and midsized businesses that may lack the necessary resources and expertise. It is crucial for businesses to partner with cybersecurity providers that offer the expertise, support, and endpoint protection needed to navigate the modern threat landscape.
About the Author:
Matt Schneiderman is BlackBerry’s Web Writer and Editor, specializing in research and publications on cybersecurity and malware topics.