This post was originally published on January 26, 2022 and has been revised for clarity and comprehensiveness.
Maybe you’ve implemented multiple layers of security: endpoint detection and response (EDR), security information and event management (SIEM), firewalls, and cloud monitoring.
You’ve done the right thing, but now your team is drowning in false security alerts.
Alert fatigue is real ... and dangerous. When security teams are overwhelmed, cyber threats slip through unnoticed.
This is where MDR (Managed Detection and Response) steps in. It’s a cybersecurity service that provides 24/7 monitoring, threat detection, and real-time incident response across your endpoints, network, and cloud environments.
As Rob Schenk, Intelligent Technical Solution (ITS) Chief Security Officer, explained: “MDR brings the human layer that’s critical for fast, intelligent response—not just more alerts.”
At ITS, we’ve helped hundreds of businesses shift from fragmented security tools to holistic, well-managed defenses. In this article, you’ll learn:
By the end of this article, you’ll have enough knowledge about MDR to decide if it’s worth implementing for your business.
What is MDR?
MDR (Managed Detection and Response) is a service — usually delivered by a third-party provider – that combines:
- 24/7 security monitoring
- Advanced threat detection across endpoint, network, and cloud
- Expert-led response and remediation when incidents occur
Think of MDR as the security operations center (SOC) your business can’t easily staff on its own. You have a complete team with trained analysts, advanced threat detection tools, and 24/7 monitoring that would otherwise require a large budget, in-house expertise, and around-the-clock staffing.
“A true MDR setup combines multiple components,” Schenk said, “EDR, SOC, SIEM, and Threat Intelligence—all tuned and managed by security expert analysts.”
READ: Antivirus vs. EDR vs. MDR: What are the Differences?
What are the benefits of MDR?
What exactly can your business get out of MDR?
1. Access to a Team of Cybersecurity Professionals
The cybersecurity talent shortage is severe. The global security workforce needs to increase by a staggering 145% to cope with a surge in hiring demand.
While 2021 saw a slight decline in unfilled cybersecurity jobs, with the number of unfilled job openings going down from 3.12 million to 2.72 million, the gap is still wide, making it hard for businesses to hire the right people for their cybersecurity needs.
Building an internal SOC requires years of investment – not to mention 24/7 staffing.
MDR services overcome this time and resource problem and provides instant access to:
- Trained SOC analysts
- Threat intelligence specialists
- Incident responders
- Security engineers
You get enterprise-grade protection without the headcount and operational burden.
2. More relevant cybersecurity information
Sometimes your cybersecurity software alerts start to sound like the boy who cried wolf. Way too many warning signs desensitize your team to actual alerts.
And a desensitized team is blind to real threats.
Schenk warns that without MDR, many businesses face this exact issue: “You can have great tools — but without accurate information filtered by a watchful team, what’s the point?”
MDR filters out noise and focuses your defenses on what matters:
- Experts tune and triage your alerts
- Only actionable incidents get escalated
- Continuous optimization reduces false positives over time
3. Active threat anticipation & investigation
MDR solutions usher in a more proactive form of protection than traditional security measures.
It allows your business to leverage experts using EDR (Endpoint Detection & Response) and SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) to scrutinize events and detect potentially dangerous threats before they become a serious breach or attack.
According to Schenk, "If you have a true managed detection and response set up, it has various components underneath. One of them is EDR or endpoint detection and response. Another would be SOC or a Security Operations Center, while another would be SIEM or Security Information and Event Monitoring. Threat Intelligence Discovery is also another kind of sub-category. These are all components of the umbrella of MDR."
Those additional layers of event monitoring coupled with on-premises security services can give your organization a more complete and holistic threat prevention strategy.
4. Faster and more methodical threat responses
Every second counts in a data breach.
Schenk pointed out that the time it takes for attackers to infiltrate networks and launch ransomware payload has dropped to as low as 17 hours. Without MDR, most businesses can’t respond fast enough.
MDR providers have advanced tools and skilled professionals dedicated to getting the job done effectively. They can prevent or limit the number of future attacks on your business or even mitigate the impact of one.
MDR analysts are highly skilled at analyzing and interpreting data from different sources and across all security endpoints. They understand the impact of each incident, allowing them to prepare a detailed security strategy and response plan to mitigate vulnerabilities and prevent future attacks.
5. 24/7 security coverage without 24/7 staffing
You need round-the-clock cybersecurity, but building a 24/7 in-house security team is expensive. That, paired with the limited number of skilled personnel available, can cause some issues.
With an MDR provider, you will have access to skilled security experts 24 hours a day, seven days a week 365 days a year. That gives your own threat response team some room to breathe, especially if they also double as your IT support.
As Rob emphasizes: “Most internal teams can’t staff 24/7. That’s why you need MDR to back you up.”
READ: 4 Benefits of 24/7 IT Support (Even if You’re Only Open from 9-5)
Ready to learn more about MDR for your company?
Cybersecurity requires a perfect balance between your tools, your processes, and your people.
MDR provides the expertise, operational coverage, and tuned detection that you need. Providers can holistically protect your network from all kinds of threats and manage your existing systems without the need for in-house security professionals.
At ITS, we even use the same MDR solutions internally that we deliver to clients because we know they work.
Don’t let alert fatigue and staffing challenges put your business at risk. MDR can help you take control—before the next attack hits.
Contact ITS to schedule a cybersecurity assessment and see if MDR is the right next step for your business.
MORE RESOURCES:
- Why Antivirus Falls Short—and What to Do Instead
- How Much Does Cybersecurity Cost? (& How to Estimate Your Investment)
- Best Managed Detection and Response (MDR) Software (2024)
Topics:
