A Data Breach is Inevitable: How to Leverage the Power of Managed Detection and Response

The cybersecurity talent drought

The cybersecurity talent shortage has reached record highs, with just under 4 million roles currently unfilled according to this Cyber Workforce Study 2023 by ISC2. With more roles available than talent, 67% of organizations are suffering from a shortage of cybersecurity staff, meaning they lack the support needed to prevent and troubleshoot security issues. Against this backdrop, many security teams are overworked and underfunded. This not only makes threat detection and response difficult to manage, but it also creates employee retention challenges, as burnt-out security professionals start looking elsewhere for work. As the scale and sophistication of today’s threats continue to escalate, many organizations are starting to recognize the value of investing in MDR solutions to support internal teams.  

Leveraging MDR against multiple threats

The range of advanced attacks businesses face regularly requires a sophisticated response. MDR services support organizations who want to be ahead of the game, addressing the types of advanced cyberattacks they may never have seen before. Additionally, the recent shift towards remote and hybrid working styles has driven even more companies towards MDR solutions. A dynamic, always-on approach to cybersecurity has become more of a requirement rather than something to aim for in today’s landscape. 

Organizations are utilizing MDR to bolster and improve their existing perimeter security tools. However, with so many users now operating outside the traditional corporate network, organizations require agile and responsive security services that can adapt and reimagine data resilience in line with the changing world of work. 

Stemming the flow of internal and external threats

The onset of the global pandemic in 2020, coupled with the World Health Organization's recommendation for remote work, marked a significant turning point in cybersecurity. As organizations swiftly transitioned to remote work setups, cybercriminals wasted no time in exploiting this newfound vulnerability. The sudden shift to remote work provided fertile ground for malicious activities, leading to a surge in cyberattacks, phishing attempts, and data breaches. 

With employees accessing and sharing classified data from home networks, the security landscape became increasingly precarious. Many companies, focused on maintaining operational continuity, underestimated the importance of robust data security measures. Consequently, sensitive information became more susceptible to unauthorized access and exploitation. Traditional cybersecurity approaches struggled to keep pace with the evolving threat landscape brought about by remote work. In this environment, the need for a comprehensive and adaptive security strategy became glaringly evident. 

MDR offers a proactive approach to threat detection and response, leveraging advanced technologies and expertise to safeguard organizations' digital assets. By remotely monitoring networks and endpoints, MDR providers can swiftly identify and neutralize potential threats, even in the context of remote work environments. This capability is particularly valuable at a time when establishing and maintaining an in-house Security Operations Center (SOC) is beyond the reach of many organizations. 

The decision to adopt MDR represents a strategic investment in enhancing cybersecurity resilience without compromising operational efficiency. By outsourcing threat detection and response functions to MDR providers, organizations can leverage specialized resources and capabilities, thereby optimizing their security posture while minimizing costs and resource overheads. 

Evaluating MDR providers

An effective MDR provider will provide 24/7 monitoring that includes user, system, and data events to identify any suspicious behavior. They’ll also protect against malware and prevent data compromise. Organizations should have full transparency from their provider and have the information and insight they need into any attempted breaches, including what critical systems were targeted, what devices or users were involved, and whether there's an entry point that is vulnerable to attacks that will need further investigation, protection, or monitoring. 

Many organizations understand their data security requirements and may have specific expectations of their MDR services. Providers should handle advanced threats, including credential theft, attackers' lateral movements, and command and control attacks. These high-level, sophisticated attacks should be closely monitored alongside less advanced attacks, which are still a threat not to be overlooked. 

Crucial to any MDR provider is the human talent they pair with robust technological solutions. Organizations should expect and receive genuine human interaction with their security provider’s analysts as, without the human side of the service, it’s not possible for fully comprehensive coverage. Human attackers must be confronted by human defenders, and the technology must be supported by technically experienced security professionals to truly meet the challenges posed by the constant threats of data breaches. 

Human expertise underpinning tech solutions

Accessing the best security talent is possible when you opt to work with a reputable MDR provider. One of the leading benefits of MDR services is the human factor. Fully featured IT security services utilizing the latest technology - and backed by human intelligence - is the combination necessary to put up the best defense against data attacks. 

People are what make an MDR successful. While you’ll find managed security service providers (MSSPs) attempting to offer an MDR-like service, the human availability at these firms can’t match that of a modern MDR. A full-service MDR will have a full staff of seasoned and talented security professionals with the right software and tools to provide an all-encompassing service. True 24/7 availability is human-led, and no downtime is left to the technology to monitor.