What is Managed Detection and Response (MDR)?

Managed Detection and Response (MDR) is a comprehensive cybersecurity solution that combines advanced technology with expert analysis to detect and respond to cyber threats. It uses tools like Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), and threat intelligence to monitor and guard an organization’s IT systems in real time.

Backed by a dedicated Security Operations Centre (SOC), MDR helps businesses solidify their security posture and proactively defend against a range of cyber threats, like ransomware, phishing and advanced persistent attacks (APTs).

What Is an MDR Service?

Managed Detection and Response is a managed service aimed to provide organizations with advanced cybersecurity capabilities, without having to build their own in-house team. The goals of MDR in cybersecurity are to detect threats, analyze them and take swift and decisive action to contain the threat, minimize its impact and restore normal operations.

At its core, a typical MDR service encompasses:

• Threat monitoring and detection: Continuous surveillance of networks, endpoints, cloud systems and any other resources to identify unusual or malicious activity.
• Incident analysis: Use of threat intelligence and expert analysis to understand the nature and scope of potential attacks.
• Active threat response: Take immediate steps to contain and neutralize threats, often in collaboration with the organization’s internal teams.
• Security tools and expertise: Deploy, configure and customize tools like SIEM, EDR, and advanced analytics to develop a comprehensive view of the security environment.
• Detailed reporting and recommendations: Offer insights into incidents and ways to improve the organization’s security posture.

What is the role of MDR in cybersecurity?

MDR has a vital role in the modern cybersecurity landscape. With cyber threats becoming more advanced and frequent, many organizations lack the resources or expertise to effectively deal with them.

MDR services fill this gap by providing round-the-clock monitoring, subject-matter expertise and tailored threat response. This reduces the risk of data breaches, and in turn, minimizes the downtime and financial losses caused by them.

To better understand how MDR works, let’s look at a simple situation: a suspicious file is detected on the company’s network:

1. The suspicious file is flagged by the network monitoring solution, and an alert is generated and sent to the Security Operations Center (SOC).
2. Expert analysts at the SOC immediately investigate the alert. They examine the file’s behavior, compare it with known threat patterns and use threat intelligence to determine whether it’s malicious. For example, if the file attempts to contact an external server or modify critical system files, it’s classified as a threat.
3. Once confirmed as a threat, the MDR team takes action to contain it. For example, they may isolate the affected endpoint, block the file from executing further and prevent any lateral movement.
4. The MDR team notifies the company’s IT team about the incident, explaining what happened and what steps were taken. They also provide recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
5. Finally, a detailed report is created. This report outlines the nature of the threat, how it was handled and any lessons learned.

MDR makes it easier to address both known and unknown vulnerabilities in an organization’s infrastructure. Here are a few examples of how:

1. Proactive threat hunting: MDR teams don’t just wait for alerts; they actively search for potential threats, even if there are no signs of an attack. This approach can uncover advanced persistent threats (APTs) or insider risks. For example, threat hunters may identify patterns in user behavior that indicate credential theft and address the issue before it escalates.
2. Firewall analytics for better defense: MDR uses firewall logs to analyze traffic patterns and block malicious activity. For example, if unusual traffic is detected from a suspicious IP address towards specific ports, the MDR team can take immediate action to block it and investigate further.
3. Ensures PCI DSS compliance: Organizations handling sensitive payment data must comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). MDR can help meet several regulatory requirements of PCI DSS and other standards, such as regular vulnerability scanning, secure network architecture, audit-ready logging and incident response planning.
4. Defends against zero-day vulnerabilities: The best MDR services are also equipped to deal with attacks that exploit unknown vulnerabilities (zero-day). For example, suppose malware targeting a zero-day bug is introduced into a network. The combination of advanced tools and expert, real-time analysis would allow MDR to neutralize the threat even before a patch is available.
5. Log correlation for deeper insights: MDR consolidates and analyzes logs from multiple systems to uncover hidden threats. For example, MDR personnel may correlate login attempts, file access patterns and network activity to identify a compromised account being used for lateral movement within the network.

MDR providers offer advanced managed security services designed to address evolving cyber threats. These providers leverage technologies like cloud-based solutions, SIEM tools and threat intelligence platforms to help organizations strengthen their cybersecurity defenses. MDR services cater to organizations of all sizes, providing the expertise and tools needed to detect, investigate and respond to potential threats efficiently. Gartner Insights on MDR Providers

Gartner has developed an extensive Market Guide for Managed Detection and Response (MDR). The guide is designed to help organizations better understand the MDR landscape, evaluate service providers and choose a solution that aligns with their specific security needs.

Gartner also has a dedicated reviews and ratings page for MDR solutions, where organizations can find detailed reviews, ratings and comparisons of different providers. If you are considering an MDR solution, it is recommended to consult this page to make an informed decision.