WHAT IS MDR?
Managed Detection and Response (MDR) is a type of cybersecurity service that involves utilization of multiple advanced technologies, combined with expert Analysts who continuously monitor a company's network for security threats, identify potential attacks, and take swift, appropriate actions to protect that company's data and systems.
MDR services typically provide around-the-clock monitoring and analysis of a company's network to detect and respond to these threats in real-time. The job of the Analyst can include identifying suspicious activity, blocking malicious traffic, and providing alerts and notifications to the company's IT staff or security team, among other activities.
These MDR services can be particularly useful for small and medium-sized businesses that may not have the resources or expertise to manage their own cybersecurity efforts.
THE EVOLUTION OF MDR
We’ve seen an evolution in MDR over the years as a response to the increasing complexity and sophistication of cybersecurity threats. Some key ways in which MDR has evolved:
- Increased Automation: MDR services have become more automated over time, using machine learning and other advanced technologies to identify and respond to threats in real-time. This evolution has not, and should not, replace the human analyst element, however. Threat Actors are human, and human’s will always find a way to exploit technology -- requiring a human to monitor and make sense of the technologies to provide adequate response and protection.
- Integration with other security solutions: Most MDR providers now integrate with other security solutions, such as endpoint detection, firewalls, and intrusion prevention systems, to provide a more comprehensive security posture. This helps all of the tools in your security ecosystem work better together, as one holistic solution.
- Focus on cloud and hybrid environments: As more companies move to the cloud and adopt hybrid environments, MDR services have had to adapt to protect these new types of infrastructure from evolving and targeted threats.
- Increased specialization: MDR providers have become more specialized in different industries and sectors, offering tailored solutions for specific types of organizations and their unique attack vectors.
- Emphasis on Incident Response (IR): Leading MDR providers now place a greater emphasis on incident response, helping companies to quickly and effectively respond to security breaches and minimize the impact on their operations. This takes the service beyond an alerting and validation tool and into threat mitigation.
Quadrant has evolved with these changes every step of the way, including a focus on IR capabilities to put us ahead of the curve. Interested in learning more? Start here.
