Managed Detection and Response: What Is It?

What Is MDR? 

Managed detection and response (MDR) is a proactive cybersecurity service that combines advanced threat detection and response technology with human expertise to monitor, identify, and respond to cyber threats in realtime. 

Unlike traditional security measures that focus solely on prevention, Managed Detection and Response continuously monitors an organization’s IT environment, leveraging automated tools and skilled security analysts to detect malicious activity. When a threat is identified, the Managed Detection and Response team takes immediate action to contain and mitigate the threat, reducing potential damage. This approach provides a comprehensive defense by addressing active threats, continuously improving security posture, and ensuring rapid response to evolving cyber risks.

Managed Detection and Response: Key Tools and Tech

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)

SIEM systems collect and examine log data from across an organization’s IT environment, identifying potential security threats and providing a unified view of the security landscape. In MDR, SIEM tools detect suspicious patterns, correlate events, and prioritize incidents for further investigation.

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

EDR solutions focus on monitoring endpoint devices, such as computers and servers, for signs of malicious activity. These tools provide real-time visibility into endpoint behavior, enabling MDR teams to detect, investigate, and respond to threats at the device level. EDR is crucial in containing threats before they spread across the network.

Threat Intelligence Platforms (TIP)

TIPs gather and analyze data on known and emerging threats from various sources, including open-source intelligence, proprietary feeds, and industry-specific databases. Organizations can proactively defend against the latest cyber threats and anticipate potential attack vectors targeting the healthcare sector by integrating threat intelligence into MDR.

Automated Threat Detection and Machine Learning

MDR solutions often employ automated detection technologies and machine learning algorithms to identify unusual behaviors and advanced threats that may not match known attack signatures. These tools continuously learn from new data, improving their ability to detect zero-day threats and sophisticated attacks.

Why Is Managed Detection and Response Important?

• Healthcare is the #1 target for cyberattacks across industries in the United States. And yet, very few organizations are prepared to defend themselves; only 3% are classified as having mature cyber readiness. 

• Cybercriminals target Protected Health Information (PHI) because stolen medical records can sell for as much as $1,000 per record due to the sensitive and intimate nature of a victim’s medical data. 

Healthcare providers need Managed Detection and Response services to amplify and extend existing defenses by filling gaps in the coverage or ensuring 24x7x365 coverage at a lower price point. 

How Does Managed Detection and Response Work?

Managed Detection and Response works by giving healthcare organizations a complete cybersecurity solution from an expert third party. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the MDR process:

1. Detection

• Continuous monitoring tools, such as SIEM and EDR, scan the organization’s IT environment for signs of malicious activity.

• Suspicious behaviors, unusual network traffic, or known threat indicators trigger alerts, which are then analyzed by automated systems to reduce false positives.

2. Incident Validation

• Cybersecurity experts review alerts to determine whether they represent real threats or benign activities.

• This step focuses resources on genuine incidents, minimizing “alert fatigue” and prioritizing critical threats that require immediate action.

3. Containment

• Once a threat is validated, the Managed Detection and Response team takes steps to contain it.

• This might involve isolating affected systems, restricting network access, or applying temporary patches to prevent the spread of the threat within the network.

4. Remediation

• After containing the threat, the Managed Detection and Response team addresses the root cause to eliminate it.

• This can include removing malware, applying permanent security fixes, or restoring systems from backups. The goal is to fully eradicate the threat and secure the system.

5. Post-Incident Analysis

• The final step involves analyzing the incident to understand how the threat bypassed defenses and what improvements can be made.

• Lessons learned are documented, and security measures are updated to prevent future occurrences. This proactive approach ensures that the organization’s security posture continually evolves to address emerging threats.

The immediate response provided by Managed Detection and Response is crucial because it offers a level of responsiveness and agility that an in-house team operating independently may struggle to maintain.

Advantages of Managed Detection and Response

1. Cost Savings on Human Capital

Building an in-house cybersecurity team is costly due to recruiting, hiring, and onboarding processes. MDR reduces staffing needs by providing quicker threat detection and response.

2. Avoid the High Costs of Building an On-Site SOC

Creating a dedicated Security Operations Center (SOC) requires significant time and monetary investments. MDR eliminates this need, providing remote services for continuous protection.

3. Affordable Access to Threat Intelligence

MDR solutions often include threat intelligence, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Outsourcing this need is more cost-effective.

4. Augment Existing Security Tools

While traditional security tools are useful for blocking straightforward threats, MDR integrates automation and expert analysis to detect and respond to more sophisticated attacks in real-time.

5. Less Alert Fatigue, Better Alert Management

One major challenge for cybersecurity teams is managing a high volume of alerts, many of which may be false positives. MDR helps reduce alert fatigue by filtering, prioritizing, and validating alerts so that only genuine threats are addressed.

• Focus on Critical Threats: MDR teams use advanced analytics and human expertise to identify high-priority threats that require immediate attention, minimizing distractions from low-risk alerts.

• Efficient Resource Allocation: By reducing the number of false positives and low-risk alerts, MDR enables security teams to focus on addressing the most significant threats, improving response times and overall security posture.

MDR, EDR, MSSPs, and MSPs

What Is Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)?

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) is a security solution that focuses on monitoring and protecting endpoint devices—such as computers, servers, and mobile devices—from potential cyber threats. EDR continuously collects data on endpoint activities, analyzes behaviors to identify signs of compromise, and responds to detected threats in real-time.

What Are Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs)?

Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) deliver a range of security services to organizations by managing and monitoring their security infrastructure. MSSPs typically provide services such as firewall management, intrusion detection, vulnerability scanning, and security monitoring.

What Is a Managed Services Provider (MSP)?

A Managed Service Provider (MSP) is a third-party company that remotely manages a customer’s IT infrastructure and end-user systems, typically on a subscription basis. MSPs offer a variety of managed services, including network management, cybersecurity, cloud services, data backup, and technical support, allowing organizations to outsource their IT needs and focus on core business functions.

Another form of MSP is a healthcare MSP, which specializes in comprehensive IT solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of healthcare organizations.

MDR vs. EDR

Although both MDR solutions and EDR are essential to an organization’s cybersecurity, they serve different functions and address distinct aspects of an organization’s security needs.

1. Range of Coverage

• EDR: Focuses specifically on monitoring and securing endpoint devices, providing visibility into endpoint activity and potential threats at the device level.
• MDR: Offers a holistic approach, covering not only endpoints but also networks, cloud environments, and other parts of an organization’s IT infrastructure.

2. Threat Detection and Response Capabilities

• EDR: Relies heavily on automated detection and analysis of endpoint behaviors. While it can identify and contain threats on individual devices, it often requires human intervention to analyze incidents and take further action.
• MDR: Combines automated tools with human expertise to detect, validate, and respond to threats across the entire environment. MDR teams actively engage in incident response, offering a higher level of support than EDR alone.

3. Proactive Threat Hunting

• EDR: May offer some level of threat hunting, but typically focuses on automated detection rather than proactive search for advanced threats.
• MDR: Emphasizes proactive threat hunting, where security experts actively seek out hidden threats and vulnerabilities across the organization, even if no alerts have been generated.

4. Incident Response

• EDR: Provides the tools to contain threats at the endpoint level but does not always offer comprehensive incident response support.
• MDR: Delivers full incident response services, including containment, eradication, and remediation, ensuring that threats are thoroughly addressed across the entire infrastructure.

MDR vs. MSSPs

Although MDR and MSSPs share some similarities in providing security services, they differ significantly in their approach to threat detection, response, and overall service delivery.

MSSPs typically focus on monitoring and managing security infrastructure, alerting organizations to potential threats but not necessarily engaging in active response. Managed Detection and Response, on the other hand, takes a proactive approach by detecting, validating, and responding to incidents. MDR solutions include a hands-on incident response from cybersecurity experts who actively contain and remediate threats.

Additionally, while MSSPs do provide 24/7 monitoring, the focus is primarily on alerting rather than actively investigating or mitigating threats. Managed Detection and Response services include round-the-clock monitoring by skilled analysts who actively manage incidents, validate threats, and implement responses to minimize potential damage.

MDR vs. MSP

Managed Detection and Response and Managed Service Providers differ primarily in their focus and approach. MDR solutions specialize in cybersecurity, offering advanced services like threat hunting, incident response, and 24/7 monitoring. In contrast, MSPs provide a broader range of IT services, such as network management, technical support, and cloud services, focusing on overall IT management rather than specialized threat detection.

How to Choose the Right Managed Detection and Response Provider

1. Industry Experience and Expertise

• Healthcare-Focused Security Experience: Since healthcare has unique regulatory requirements and security challenges, choose an MDR provider with specific experience in the healthcare sector. Providers with healthcare-focused expertise will be better equipped to handle healthcare cloud compliance requirements like HIPAA and HITRUST.

• Certified Security Professionals: Providers with certified security experts holding industry-recognized certifications (e.g., CISSP, CISM, CEH) should be at the top of your list. A team with these certifications should have the skills required to address advanced threats.

Find out if the managed detection and response provider you’re evaluating has the cybersecurity skills you require.

2. Assess Threat Detection and Response Capabilities

• 24/7 Threat Detection and Response: Round-the-clock service is crucial to prevent security incidents from escalating during off-hours.

• Proactive Threat Hunting Services: Select a provider that goes beyond automated detection. Proactive threat hunting can help uncover hidden threats that may not trigger automated alerts.

3. Integrations With Existing Security Tools

• Compatibility with Your Infrastructure: Choose an MDR provider that can integrate seamlessly with your current security tools and infrastructure (e.g., SIEM, EDR, firewalls). 

• Flexible and Scalable Solutions: Find a provider that can adapt its services to grow with your organization’s needs. As your organization scales, the MDR provider should be able to accommodate additional resources, data, and complexity.

4. Look for a Proven Track Record and References

• Customer Success Stories and Case Studies: Your provider should be able to hand over real-world examples of how their services have successfully protected other organizations. Case studies, testimonials, and references can provide insight into the provider’s effectiveness.

• Reputation and Industry Recognition: Has the provider you’re evaluating been recognized in the industry for its services with awards, certifications, or endorsements?

5. Effective Communication and Reporting

• Regular Security Reports: Choose a Managed Detection and Response provider that offers regular reports and updates on your organization’s security posture, including incident details, response actions taken, and improvement recommendations.

• Open Communication Channels: Your MDR provider should emphasize strong communication with your in-house team, offering dedicated account managers or support contacts to address questions and provide timely updates.

6. Test the Provider’s Capabilities With a Proof of Concept (PoC)

• Run a Proof of Concept: Consider conducting a PoC to test the MDR provider’s capabilities before fully committing. This will help you evaluate how well their services integrate with your existing environment, the effectiveness of their threat detection, and the quality of their incident response.

Need help making an informed decision about your MDR provider? Check out our MDR buyer’s guide for healthcare organizations.

Divide and Conquer With Managed Detection and Response 

In a recent survey, the ClearDATA team found that:

• 81% of C-Suite leaders reported high confidence in their cybersecurity.
• However, 71% of these organizations were found to have beginner or formative cybersecurity maturity.

This gap between confidence and actual readiness highlights the urgent need for a more advanced and proactive approach to cybersecurity. Managed Detection and Response services are crucial to bridging this gap by providing continuous monitoring, rapid threat detection, and expert incident response that go beyond traditional security measures.

Reach Out to ClearDATA for Comprehensive MDR Solutions

Whether your organization is just starting its journey to build a stronger cybersecurity posture or already has a well-established security team, ClearDATA’s MDR solutions can augment your program and elevate your defenses. Our healthcare-specific expertise, advanced threat detection technologies, and hands-on incident response capabilities ensure that your organization is protected against evolving threats.
Get in touch with ClearDATA’s team of defense experts today to learn how we can help you enhance your cybersecurity maturity and keep your healthcare data safe.