Over the decades, we have used dozens of security systems and products. However, a new gold standard in security appears to be emerging: Managed Detection and Response (MDR). In the last couple of years, we have worked with customers to implement MDR and with vendors who want to sell it. CrowdStrike, a leading player in this market, is one we have worked with. There are also newer, more cost-effective entrants, particularly from well-known vendors. We have experience with several of these newer products. Here are our observations on MDR, and the benefits we have discovered along the way.

Benefits of MDR technology

Managed Detection and Response (MDR) merges technology with human expertise to perform threat hunting, monitoring, and response. It rapidly identifies and mitigates threats without the need for additional staff, as it is an outsourced managed service. Some of the basic benefits include:

1. Actively hunting for latent or emerging threats that bypass traditional security measures
2. Swiftly isolating, containing, and eliminating network threats, thanks to MDR’s blend of automated and human-led capabilities
3. Providing access to experienced security analysts for investigating and resolving complex incidents
4. Reducing costs by outsourcing security management, eliminating the need for additional staff

Is MDR cost effective?

MDR can significantly enhance an organization’s security capabilities. It presents a great opportunity, especially for smaller organizations, to improve their security posture. While initially costly, it can be cost-effective when considering reduced staff time. Fortunately, as MDR becomes more widely offered, its cost is becoming more competitive.