Business success today revolves around technology. From communicating with your team and clients to storing critical data, almost every operation within modern organizations depends on well-run IT.

With this digital dependency comes the need for businesses to continually enhance the protection of their  technological assets.  Cyberattacks have increased in size and scope over the years, leading experts to predict that worldwide cybersecurity spending will reach $170 billion by 2022. 

Because of the continually advancing nature of cyber threats, more robust cybersecurity methods are necessary to safeguard data. One of those methods is MDR, or Managed Detection & Response. 

Here’s what you need to know about MDR for your business and how it can protect you:

What Is MDR?

Managed Detection & Response (MDR) is an outsourced security service that utilizes both technology and human experts actively search for threats in an organization’s systems and immediately address them. MDR is accomplished using tactics such as continuous network monitoring, threat hunting, incident analysis, and remediation to protect against even highly sophisticated threats.

The Advantages of MDR

While there are many valuable cybersecurity solutions that businesses should invest in, MDR can enhance your protection beyond basic tools. As mentioned, cyber threats are continually advancing and becoming more common, and it is no longer enough for businesses to rely on a firewall or antivirus software alone to protect their systems.

Additionally, many businesses turn to MSSPs (Managed Security Service Providers) in an effort to achieve cybersecurity without understanding their shortcomings. MSSPs have a lesser scope than what is provided in MDR, meaning businesses don’t get the triage and response needed to eliminate false alarms. Instead, the business’s own internal team has to analyze information to determine which potential threats they were alerted for need to be addressed first.

Here are some of the main advantages of MDR as compared to basic tools or MSSP services: 

MDR Combines AI and Human Expertise

With Managed Detection & Response, you get the combined benefit of machine-driven 24/7 security monitoring and human expertise to ensure threats don’t slip through the cracks. This combination of advanced analytics and a human touch means you get fewer false alerts and more custom-tailored support when it comes to addressing potential threats.

In this way, you get the most proactive support. Your team of experts knows how to identify and prevent the latest types of cyberattacks as well as investigate them before taking action—rather than just alerting your IT team to the cybersecurity issue.

MDR Protects Your Business Financially

MDR is provided by outsourced security experts, allowing your business to benefit from a wide range of IT security experts at a more affordable cost. Considering that the average cost of a cybersecurity attack is now more than $1.67 million—and many of these attacks aren’t mitigated by basic security tools— investing in MDR is the clear choice when it comes to protecting your business financially.

MDR Provides Broader Visibility

MDR experts provide a holistic approach to security. Using data collected from threat feeds, OSINT data, and other tools, MDR security teams keep a watchful eye on internal and external networks, the cloud, and all endpoints to ensure maximum protection. They consider businesses’ unique compliance needs (HIPAA, PCI DSS, etc.) as well as the specific context of threats so they can provide long-term solutions that will improve a company’s cybersecurity posture. 

Take Your Security to the Next Level

Using a Managed Detection & Response service is a great way to take your cybersecurity plan to the next level. When you choose MDR, you gain access to a team of well-trained experts as well as the latest software that will carefully monitor any security threats and vulnerabilities within your system. 

Your MDR team can keep you updated on potential problems while also limiting unnecessary alerts and taking quick action when there’s a true threat to your business. And once the threat has been eliminated, the team will investigate the incident to determine how to prevent such attacks in the future.

If you’re interested in reducing the chance of cybersecurity attacks on your company—as well as minimizing the damage and recovery time if they do occur—you should consider using an MDR service to improve security for your business. Contact ISG Technology today to learn how we can help you through our Managed Detection & Response services.