Managed cyber security services | Managed XDR

Managed Extended Detection and Response (M-XDR) is a relatively new approach in managed cybersecurity services that combines advanced threat detection solutions with expert external management to safeguard an organization's IT environment while alleviating the burden of developing and maintaining an in-house capability to the advanced level of XDR.

XDR is a recently emerged advancement on Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) which it builds on by combining threat detection information from multiple sources across an organisation’s IT ecosystem including: endpoints, networks, applications, and cloud environments. XDR thus offers organizations a more comprehensive, unified cyber threat detection solution than EDR by itself. Since EDR still remains a vital element of an organisation’s overall cyber threat detection, it is today a component of XDR solutions.

Managed XDR (M-XDR) services have evolved managed cyber security services by bringing together the benefit of continuous monitoring, proactive threat hunting, and rapid response to security incidents, all managed by a dedicated team of cybersecurity experts, ensuring that the customer gains maximal value out of their XDR implementation.

Key Features of M-XDR

1. Expert Management: M-XDR is managed by a team of skilled cybersecurity professionals who handle all aspects of the service, from initial setup to ongoing monitoring and incident response. This ensures that the organization's security posture is continuously maintained and optimized to a much higher level than the end-user organization’s in-house expertise could achieve by itself.
2. Continuous Monitoring and Threat Hunting: With M-XDR, organizations benefit from around-the-clock monitoring and proactive threat hunting. This continuous vigilance helps in the early detection of potential threats and vulnerabilities, enabling quick action to mitigate risks before they can cause harm.
3. Integrated Security Tools: The service integrates various security tools, such as: endpoint detection and response (EDR), network traffic analysis (NTA), and security information and event management (SIEM) tools, into a unified platform. This holistic approach enhances visibility and provides a more comprehensive defense against advanced threats.
4. Automated and Manual Response: M-XDR combines automated response mechanisms with manual interventions by cybersecurity experts. Automation handles routine tasks and immediate threats, while experts step in for complex incidents, ensuring a balanced and effective response strategy.
5. Customized Solutions: M-XDR services are tailored to meet the specific needs of each organization. This customization includes the selection of appropriate security tools, setting up monitoring protocols, and defining response strategies that align with the organization's unique risk profile and business objectives.

Security Operations Centers (SOC) in M-XDR.

A Security Operations Center (SOC) is a centralized team of cybersecurity experts responsible for managed cyber security services including 24/7 monitoring, detecting, and responding to security incidents. SOCs provide continuous surveillance, expert analysis, and incident response and remediation, as well as reporting for their customers.

1. Preventative Maintenance: SOCs perform regular maintenance tasks, such as applying security patches and updates, to prevent vulnerabilities.
2. Proactive Monitoring: SOCs monitor network traffic, endpoints, and other systems 24/7 to detect unusual activities and potential threats.
3. Alert Management: SOCs prioritize and manage security alerts, distinguishing between false positives and genuine threats to ensure a focused response.
4. Threat Detection: SOCs use advanced tools and techniques to identify and analyze threats, including zero-day vulnerabilities and sophisticated attacks.
5. Incident Response: Upon detecting a threat, SOCs execute response plans to contain and mitigate the impact of the incident, as well as produce timely reporting for the customer.
6. Recovery and Remediation: SOCs work to restore affected systems and implement measures to prevent future incidents.

SOCs employ a variety of roles, including security analysts, threat hunters, and incident response managers, all working together to maintain a strong security posture.

Benefits of M-XDR

• Enhanced Security Posture: By leveraging the expertise of a dedicated security team, organizations can achieve a higher level of protection against sophisticated cyber threats.
• Cost Efficiency: Outsourcing cybersecurity management to an M-XDR service provider can be more cost-effective than building and maintaining an in-house security team. It reduces the need for significant capital investment in security infrastructure and personnel.
• Rapid Incident Response: The combination of automated and expert-led responses ensures that security incidents are addressed swiftly and effectively, minimizing potential damage and downtime.
• Scalability: M-XDR services can easily scale with the growth of an organization. As the IT environment expands, the service adjusts to provide consistent protection without additional complexity or resource strain.
• Compliance Support: M-XDR providers assist organizations in meeting regulatory requirements by maintaining detailed logs, generating compliance reports, and ensuring that security measures adhere to relevant standards and frameworks.

Through managed cyber security services such as M-XDR, organizations can focus on their core operations with confidence, knowing that their IT environment is safeguarded 24/7 by a responsive security team using the most advanced systems and solutions available today. M-XDR is an extremely potent and effective way for organizations to level up their resilience and assurance of security across their IT environment through outsourcing to a trusted provider.

Choosing the right M-XDR service and XDR solution is vital however, and this can be challenging for companies today finding themselves faced with very similar claims made by very different solution vendors and service providers, and there is no ‘one-size fits all’ when it comes to XDR or M-XDR today.