Managed detection and response (MDR) adds an additional layer of protection and elevates the security postures of organizations relying on legacy solutions.
Managed detection and response is becoming more popular as organizations look to outsource some elements of their cybersecurity approach. As bad actors become more adept at bypassing traditional network security platforms, managed services like MDR play an important – and growing – role in protecting the enterprise.
How Managed Detection and Response Works
When enterprises partner with MDR providers, they can expect a service that includes continuous network traffic monitoring. MDR, often a part of a broader endpoint detection and response (EDR) platform, is built to manage tasks like threat hunting, monitoring, and response from the outside. Managed services like MDR can be thought of as a security guard station where different parts of a property are being monitored around the clock. Instead of security guards, MDR is managed by advanced cybersecurity analysts.
Much like other popular cybersecurity platforms, MDR employs techniques like supervised and unsupervised machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to crawl across networks in search of suspicious behavior. When threats are uncovered, advanced analytics and forensic data are sent on to human analysts, who triage risks and determine appropriate responses.
Organizations have varying tolerance levels for cyber risk, which should be reflected in the MDR service agreement. Some enterprises may prefer detailed analytical reports about network traffic, while others feel comfortable with a more hands-off approach.
Ultimately, the goal of MDR is to find and respond to threats before they cause damage. Core MDR functions include: more here