Cynet Security Foundations

MDR Solutions: Why They are Critical and How to Choose

MDR solutions significantly enhance an organization’s ability to identify, detect and respond to threats, without requiring extensive time and resources from them. In a highly competitive and financially uncertain ecosystem, organizations need all the security help they can get.

Various MDR vendors offer different solutions, tailored to various needs. MDR solutions differ in capabilities, scope, and pricing. In this article, we review and compare the top 10 MDR solutions in the market, making it easy for you to choose the right MDR provider for your business needs.

The MDR services we analyze are: Cynet, SentinelOne, Palo Alto Networks, Secureworks, CrowdStrike, Sophos, Critical Start, Symantec, BitDefender, and Rapid7.

What Are Managed Detection and Response (MDR) Solutions?

Managed Detection and Response (MDR) solutions offer security mitigation and monitoring solutions for organizations. MDR providers monitor their customers’ endpoints, networks and various IT resources for security events. Once a threat is detected, the MDR provider will look into and take care of issues without the direct response for their client. Organizations use MDR services to safeguard themselves from web-based threats without the need for dedicated security staff onsite.

MDR encompasses both incident response software and endpoint detection and response software, and handles these functions as a managed service. MDR services demand less hands-on work for organizations and offer certainty without additional security solutions and staffing.

The Importance of MDR Solutions for Cybersecurity

The cybersecurity threat landscape is continuously evolving, and security is no longer restricted to protecting endpoints and implementing a firewall around an organization. Organizations today must actively monitor and hunt for threats. Technologies like SIEM and XDR can correlate data from different sources and help detect threats, but you need appropriate expertise to make the most of them.

Yet, organizations are having difficulty finding enough cybersecurity personnel to staff their teams. Globally, there is a cybersecurity worker shortage of almost 4 million people. MDR solutions allow organizations to undertake proactive threat response and detection despite this skill shortage. Gartner estimates that 50% of organizations will be employing MDR services as soon as 2025.

Related content: Read our guide to MDR services

MDR Solution Capabilities

MDR is an umbrella term encompassing a range of security services. MDR providers allow organizations to outsource parts of their cybersecurity programs. They typically combine software automation with human expertise.

At the very least, MDR services should provide the following capabilities:

Threat detection—security experts aim to identify threats proactively, before they become an issue. As opposed to an incident response team, which need to validate alerts for a SIEM or a security operation center by seeking out the underlying cause of an alert, threat hunters. Identifying signs of an attack or compromise before an alert shows up in the SOC. This is opposed to an incident response team, which needs to validate alerts for a SIEM or a security operations center by seeking out the underlying cause of an alert.
Threat intelligence—Data about threats is amassed, analysed and distributed to help teams isolate and respond to attacks before any damage takes place, or to help recover as rapidly as possible.
Threat response—Automated and human intervention to neutralize detected threats. Typically, jobs such as patching or removing malware are dealt with automatically, while more complicated tasks like forensic assessment of a compromised endpoint demand human intervention.

4 Types of MDR Solutions

MDR providers may have their own proprietary technologies. Generally, the delivery platform is managed centrally and multitenant, offering customers functions such as data and log management, orchestration and automation, analytics and a user interface (UI).

Some MDR providers may be able to support any security technology that the customer has already acquired, but most are not technology-agnostic. Providers usually offer a definitive set of vendors and technologies, which are supported, and generally depend on the smooth integration and utility of a technology (for example, the capacity to create userful telemetry, support incident response activities, and detect threats).

Bring-Your-Own Technology Stack

Some MDR providers offer modern SOC functions to complement the existing technologies of a customer. However, these providers don’t always work with the customer’s existing set of tools. Rather, the customer provides the technologies, the provider establishes high-enough fidelity detections, and offers enough contextual and forensic information to look into incidents and execute active responses (such as containment) on the customer’s behalf.

Managed Endpoint Solutions

Managed EDR is typically used interchangeably with MDR, though it is actually just one aspect of MDR. Managed EDR might have restricted visibility of threats in an organization’s environment, depending on the environments and assets that require monitoring. For instance, you cannot install an EDR agent on a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) or a multifunctional printer-scanner device. Managed EDR is a single mode service.

Full Technology Stack

In this approach, the provider offers the entire technology stack—usually two or more threat-detection-oriented technologies to facilitate MDR services. The provider selects these technologies and offers them as a service, so customers cannot choose which technologies are used (or they may have a limited choice).

Providers typically include these components:

An EDR agent
Multifunction Network Security Monitoring (NSM) sensors or appliances.

These technologies enable fast threat detection and provide data for forensic investigation. Certain providers also offer additional technologies and monitor attack vectors like email, cloud services and DNS. Such offerings are multi-mode services.

Cloud Monitoring Technologies

Some MDR providers offer their own approaches and technologies to support cloud environments. These might be available as stand-alone or add-on MDR services, as is the case with IoT devices in medical provider environments or monitoring ICS and SCADA systems.

Today, more MDR providers are beginning to support cloud environments as add-ons via their own technologies (for example, via the use of integration and analytics platforms) and through partnerships with other vendors. These include:

Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM)
Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASB)
Cloud Security Workload Protection (CWPP)

2. SеntinеlOnе Singularity

SentinelOne Singularity Complete provides endpoint and cloud security tools and services for blocking and investigating attacks with 24/7 support.

Main features:

Endpoint and workload protection – Visibility into environments, telemetry collection, and malware blocking.
Detection and Investigation – Ransomware and zero-day detection, threat hunting, AI for generating summaries and documentation notebooks, and data correlation.
Incident response – Automate incident response with policy or use remediation action, auto-deployments, and kernel operations.
24/7 support, including an AI support agent.

Pricing:

SentinelOne Singularity Complete costs $179.99 per endpoint per year.

3. Cortеx from Palo Alto Nеtworks

Cortex is a SecOps and XDR platform and 24/7 SOC services.

Main features:

Single platform for SOC and security data capabilities
XDR defense for network, cloud, and identity data
Pre-built playbooks and automations for incident response
Attack surface management
24/7 SOC services through Palo Alto Networks’ Unit 42 services

Pricing:

Prices range from $10,000 – $36,000 per year.

4. Secureworks

Secureworks offers Taegis MDR, which monitors endpoints, the cloud, the network, and identities. They provide a 24/7 live chat with security experts.

Main features:

Analytics and ML for threat detection
Ongoing threat hunting
Support for AWS, Azure, and Office 365
Integrations with hundreds of tools and sources
SOAR and AI engine
One year of data retention
Remote incident response services
Security protection reviews

Pricing:

Pricing is customized, and quotes are provided upon contacting the vendor.

5. CrowdStrikе Falcon MDR

24/7 MDR services.

Main features:

Incident handling, SOC analysis, and incident response and remediation
Around-the-clock monitoring
Threat hunting for endpoints, identity, and cloud workloads
Threat investigation
Visibility into endpoints, identities, cloud workloads, and third-party data

Pricing:

Pricing is customized, and quotes are provided upon contacting the vendor. MDR is available on top of Falcon Enterprise (which is offered at $184.99/device/year).

6. Sophos MDR

24/7 threat investigation, monitoring, and response

Main features:

SOC services
24/7 monitoring
Threat containment and incident response
Root cause analysis
Integrations with external tools
Reports and alerts
In-call support
Breach protection warranty up to $1 million in response expenses

Pricing:
Customized and customizable with service tiers. Requires contacting the vendor directly.

7. Critical Start

24/7 MDR with signal coverage for identifying unmanaged assets and IT/OT support.

Main features:

Visibility across security controls
Threat detection, response, and remediation
Human-led investigation
Enacting controls based on MITRE ATT&CK
Automated resolving of false positives
10-minute SLA notification for critical alerts
60-minute or less MTTR

Pricing:

Critical Start is available through partners and resellers. Pricing seems to be in the $40-45 per endpoint range.

8. Symantеc (Broadcom) Endpoint Protеction

Attack surface reduction, attack prevention, breach prevention, and detection and response for endpoints.

Main features:

Protection against malware, ransomware, credential theft, living off the land attacks, Active Directory credential theft, and more.
Threat detection and remediation
Attack analytics
Automated response
AI-guided policy management for SOC teams
Single agent/single cloud console architecture

Pricing:

Symantec was acquired by Broadcom and is offered for purchase through Broadcom’s network of authorized distributors, value-added resellers (VARs), and global partners. As a result, pricing is not listed publicly and can vary significantly depending on the region, the specific product suite, licensing terms, and any enterprise agreements or bundles negotiated through the local Broadcom partner.

9. Bitdеfеndеr MDR and SOC

24X7 defense services through a SOC.

Main features:

Round-the-clock coverage
Pre-approved playbooks
Root cause analysis
Threat hunting across the dark web
Central portal and reports
Security recommendations
Cybersecurity breach warranty covering up to $100,000 in response expenses for ransomware

Pricing:

Available upon contacting the vendor

10. Rapid7

24X7 SOC coverage to identify threats.

Main features:

EDR solution
Forensics analysis based on open-source DFIR
Threat hunting
SOAR
Customized responses to threats
Vulnerability management

Pricing:

Rapid7 offers three different MDR packages, however, pricing is customized and available upon contacting the vendor.

Tips From Expert

In my experience, here are tips that can help you better implement and leverage Managed Detection and Response (MDR) solutions:

Integrate MDR with your existing IT and security tools
Seamlessly integrate MDR services with your current IT infrastructure and security tools to enhance data sharing, streamline workflows, and improve overall threat detection capabilities.
Leverage MDR for proactive threat hunting
Utilize the threat hunting capabilities of your MDR provider to identify and mitigate potential threats before they can exploit vulnerabilities, enhancing your security posture.
Utilize MDR for comprehensive incident documentation
Ensure your MDR provider offers detailed documentation of security incidents, including root cause analysis and remediation steps, to support continuous improvement and compliance requirements.
Establish a feedback loop with your MDR provider
Create a regular review process with your MDR team to discuss incident responses, service performance, and areas for improvement, fostering a collaborative and adaptive security environment.
Evaluate MDR provider’s expertise in emerging technologies
Assess your MDR provider’s proficiency with emerging technologies such as IoT, AI-driven security tools, and cloud-native environments to ensure they can effectively protect against modern and evolving threats.

These tips can help you maximize the effectiveness of your MDR solution, ensuring robust protection and a resilient security framework for your organization.

Aviad Hasnis is the Chief Technology Officer at Cynet.
He brings a strong background in developing cutting edge technologies that have had a major impact on the security of the State of Israel. At Cynet, Aviad continues to lead extensive cybersecurity research projects and drive innovation forward.

MDR Solutions with Cynet

Effective breach protection must include a combination of prevention and detection technologies along with deep cybersecurity oversight and expertise. The CyOps team ensures Cynet technology is optimized by continuously monitoring your environment and proactively contacting you when further attention is required. CyOps ensures that all appropriate and necessary detection, investigation and response actions are conducted accurately and thoroughly

Whether your organization already has deep cybersecurity expertise and just lacks the time or staff, or whether your organization just doesn’t have the expertise necessary to ensure you’re always protected – CyOps is there to help 24/7. You don’t have to do it alone. CyOps is ready to extend your resources and expertise in the ongoing fight against cybercrime.

And, you receive all of the benefits of CyOps Managed Detection and Response services as part of the Cynet platform – at no additional cost.

Learn more about Cynet MDR Services

FAQs

Why should an organization consider implementing an MDR solution?

Cyberattacks are becoming more frequent. Many internal security teams, particularly in mid-sized businesses, lack the time, budget, or expertise to look for, detect, and respond to advanced threats in real-time. MDR solutions offer a cost-effective way to bridge that gap, providing 24/7 monitoring, threat intelligence, and incident response capabilities that would be difficult and expensive to build in-house. For large enterprises with expert security teams, MDR solutions provide an extra layer of security, helping safeguard mission-critical systems.

How do MDR providers enhance an organization's threat detection capabilities?

Unlike response defense mechanisms, MDR providers actively investigate and contain threats, minimizing dwell time and the potential damage from breaches. In addition, they combine human expertise with advanced analytics, threat intelligence, and ML to detect threats that traditional security tools might miss.

What factors should be considered when selecting an MDR solution?

Evaluate the provider’s detection and response capabilities, including whether they offer true 24/7 monitoring, how they handle incident triage, and their average response time. It’s also recommended to assess the provider’s threat intelligence sources, whether they conduct proactive threat hunting or rely mainly on reactive alerts, and how many false positives they have.

How do MDR solutions integrate with existing cybersecurity tools and protocols?

Most MDR solutions are designed to integrate with an organization’s existing security stack. They typically ingest data from tools like SIEMs, EDRs, firewalls, cloud platforms, and other log sources to build a comprehensive view of the environment.

What is the expected response time of an MDR provider during a security incident?

Most MDRs operate with strict service level agreements (SLAs) that specify response times for various needs. Expect your MDR to provide a one hour response time for critical incidents. The response should be faster, but most will indicate a one hour time window.

How can an organization measure the effectiveness of its MDR solution?

Effectiveness can be measured using both qualitative and quantitative indicators. Key metrics include MTTR, reduction in dwell time, and the number of high-confidence detections versus false positives. On the qualitative side, organizations should evaluate the quality of communication, incident reporting, and strategic guidance provided by the MDR team.