Managed detection and response (MDR) is an increasingly important piece of protecting enterprise networks today. In our modern world of ever-changing cyber threats, organizations need to take decisive steps in order to keep their critical data safe from attackers. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution to this, MDR has shown it deserves a spot in helping defend networks.
There are a few key points to understand about MDR. Organizations that are most effective in adopting and deploying MDR strategies are going to be at an advantage when it comes to security. At its core, MDR has two main functions, which are conveniently right in the name: its “managed” aspect, as well as “detection and response.”
The “detection and response” element of MDR is pretty straightforward. There are many tools and services out there that focus on identifying and stopping threats before they’re able to access highly critical data. This is becoming an evermore crucial task, as malicious actors continue getting better at disguising their actions.
Looking at the “managed” piece of MDR, enterprises will find something that distinguishes this offering from others. This is particularly effective when operationalized through a service-based, third-party service (more on this later). Essentially, MDR puts a team of experts at the helm of guarding your networks against threats, which comes with a host of benefits.
Bringing the capabilities of detection and response under the roof of a managed solution is an ideal combination for a wide range of organizations. Let’s now look at some of the top MDR use cases.
What Are Top MDR Use Cases?
Now that you have a firmer understanding of what MDR is and some of its general features, it’s time to look closer at some of its specifics. These are a few of the top MDR use cases:
- Cost Savings and ROI – No matter the size or scope of an organization, financial health needs to be a top priority. Many enterprises are probably used to the idea of paying out a lot of money in order to get the tools and personnel to secure their networks. But it doesn’t have to be this way. In fact, a good MDR should be able to pretty easily show how it can lead to return on investment (ROI) over time through a variety of cost-saving features. Considering the average cost of a data breach keeps rising—now well over $4 million globally—protecting against attacks needs to be a primary concern for organizations. Simply avoiding the costs associated with a breach can make MDR pay for itself. But that’s not all—MDR can reduce internal staffing and infrastructure needs, leading to a reduction in operating and capital expenses.
- Broad Threat Protection – What are some of the specific, everyday use cases for MDR? There are many technologies that deal with network detection and response. MDR satisfies just about all of these in a single, comprehensive offering. Whether it’s malware, lateral network movement, compromised accounts, phishing, zero-day attacks, or otherwise, a good MDR should be able to handle it.
- Streamlined Security Stack – There are so many cybersecurity tools on the market today, it can be difficult for anyone to keep track of all of them. Enterprises that have adopted a wide range of these tools can run into trouble keeping them updated, active, and compliant. Opting for MDR can streamline the security stack, which saves on costs, while also reducing the chances of unintended vulnerabilities due to overly complex network security.
- More Expertise – No matter the situation, you want to have the most capable people on your team. This is what you’ll get when choosing a trustworthy MDR solution: Industry-leading experts who know how to protect you from malicious activity.
- Faster Response Times – Time is of the essence when dealing with cyberattacks. With MDR, enterprises will have 24-hour monitoring and response capabilities, which allows for immediate triage when necessary. No matter the threat, MDR solutions will be there to step in and respond to the situation.
Overall, there are lots reasons why MDR is a useful security option for enterprises. Opting for an MDR solution from a trusted security provider can help keep organizations more protected from attackers.
