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Cybersecurity Glossary

What is MDR (Managed Detection and Response)?

Managed Detection and Response (MDR) is a service where external security analysts use EDR or XDR tools to monitor your environment 24/7, investigate alerts, and execute response actions on your behalf. It gives SMBs the outcome of an in-house SOC without the cost of hiring one.

Blocks 99% of password attacks
Required by most cyber insurance
Core to SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI
How It Works

How MDR works

Three-step view of how it operates in practice.

1

Deploy

The MDR provider installs agents on your endpoints and connects to your email, identity, and cloud platforms.

2

Monitor

Analysts watch your environment 24/7, triaging alerts from EDR/XDR, threat intelligence, and behavioral analytics.

3

Respond

When a real threat is identified, analysts contain it immediately — isolating devices, killing processes, revoking tokens — and contact your team with context.

MDR Variants

MDR vs MSSP vs DIY SOC

A clear breakdown of the common variants.

Model

DIY SOC

You hire analysts and buy tools. Highest cost, highest control. Usually requires 3-5 analysts for 24/7 coverage.

Most common

MSSP

Time-based one-time codes from an app like Microsoft Authenticator or Google Authenticator. Offline-capable and phishing-resistant against many attacks.

Convenient

MDR

The user approves a sign-in with a tap on their phone. Easy to use but vulnerable to MFA fatigue attacks — always pair with number matching.

Strongest

MXDR

FIDO2 keys like YubiKey, or device-bound passkeys. Phishing-resistant by design — the key will not authenticate against a fake domain.

Why It Matters

Why MDR matters for SMBs

Managed Detection and Response (MDR) is a service where external security analysts use EDR or XDR tools to monitor your environment 24/7, investigate alerts,…

104 days
average reduction in breach identification time when MDR is in place
Source: IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report, 2024
Pitfalls

Common MDR mistakes

  • Expecting MDR to replace all internal workMDR handles detection and first response. Business context, change management, and policy decisions still need internal owners.
  • Not defining escalationAdmins, finance, and anyone with access to money or sensitive data should use an app or hardware key — never SMS alone.
  • Paying for MDR without EDR qualityMDR is only as good as the telemetry it receives. Skimping on endpoint coverage undermines the whole service.
  • Skipping response authorizationDecide in advance what the MDR can do autonomously (isolate a laptop) vs what needs approval (disable a user). Gray zones cost minutes during a breach.
Common Questions

MDR frequently asked questions

Very similar. SOCaaS typically emphasizes log correlation and SIEM-style monitoring. MDR emphasizes endpoint-driven detection and active response. The lines are blurring — most mature offerings do both.
Yes, many MDR providers are EDR-agnostic. Others require their own stack. Clarify which model the provider uses before signing.
Depends on your contract. Most will isolate endpoints and kill malicious processes automatically. Account disablement and user-affecting actions usually require approval.
Typically $5-$15 per endpoint per month for SMB offerings. Pricing scales with sophistication and response scope.
Have a documented recovery process before it happens. Typically an administrator verifies the user's identity through an out-of-band channel, temporarily disables MFA, and re-enrolls the user with a new device. Backup codes or a secondary security key reduce downtime.
Related Services

LogicalNet services related to MFA

Identity & Access Protection Primary

MFA enforcement, conditional access, least privilege, and identity monitoring.

Email Security

Phishing defense, account-takeover monitoring, and secure email gateways.
Related Terms

Related glossary terms

EDR

Policies that adapt to device, location, and risk signals.

XDR

A security model that verifies every request as if it came from an open network.

SOC as a Service

Give users only the access they need — nothing more.

SOC

FIDO2 keys and passkeys that cannot be proxied or replayed.
Identity & Access

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