Acronyms in cybersecurity multiply faster than British tea drinkers during a national crisis. Behold, MXDR, the latest acronym sensation. MXDR isn’t just a random collection of letters; it’s a big step forward in cybersecurity. So, “what is MXDR?” I hear you ask.
Here, we’ll dive into the world of MXDR. We’ll explore the question of “what is MXDR?”, how it works, its advantages over other solutions, and the challenges it can help your business overcome.
What is MXDR?
What is MXDR? MXDR stands for Managed Extended Detection and Response. It’s a cybersecurity service that provides end-to-end management of an organisation’s security operations, from threat detection to incident response. It’s also sometimes referred to as Managed XDR.
Here’s a breakdown of what it means in simple terms:
- Managed: This means that the service is taken care of by experts. You don’t have to worry about managing it yourself because the provider handles everything for you.
- Extended Detection and Response (XDR): This is a fancy way of saying that the service watches over not just one part of your computer systems, but all of them. It looks at your endpoints, networks, servers, and even cloud services to find and respond to security threats.
Microsoft adds that it’s “an extension of your team, empowering you to have specialist resources available around the clock.”
You can learn more about MXDR in our detailed, online walkthrough.
How does MXDR work?
Now that we’ve answered “what is MXDR?” let’s move onto how it works in practice.
MXDR works as a vigilant security system for your entire digital environment, starting with gathering data into a Security Incident and Event Managment (SIEM) platform. This platform acts as a central hub, collecting information from all parts of your business – including cloud and on-prem infrastructures, email, applications and more.
Once the SIEM has the data, an artificial intelligence (AI) agent steps in to analyse it. This agent rapidly sifts through massive amounts of data to identify potential threats. It looks for unusual patterns or activities that could indicate malicious behavior, such as unauthorised access attempts or abnormal data transfers.
When the agent detects something suspicious, it doesn’t waste time – it consults a bank of threat intelligence data. This data contains information on known cyber threats and attack methods, helping the agent determine if the detected activity poses a real risk.
If a threat is confirmed, the agent takes action automatically. This is commonly referred to as Security Orchestreation, Automation and Response or SOAR. It might isolate compromised systems, block suspicious IP addresses, or take other defensive measures in real-time. This automated response is like having a rapid-response security team that reacts instantly to protect your business.
However, there are situations where the AI agent encounters something unfamiliar or unusually complex. In such cases, human experts in a Security Operations Centre (SOC) step in. These experts bring their deep understanding and experience to analyse the situation, interpret data nuances, and make informed decisions. They provide the human insight needed to handle novel threats or situations where automated responses might not suffice.
Learn more about how MXDR works here.
Watch this quick video to see how MXDR works.
What types of attack can MXDR detect?
MXDR’s monitoring capabilities mean it can detect patterns indicative of various forms of attack, such as:
- Ransomware
- Phishing
- Business email compromise (BEC) – read more about this attack
- Supply chain attacks
- Cloud security vulnerabilities
- Insider threats
- Internet of Things (IoT) vulnerabilities
- Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)
- Advanced Persistent Threats (APT)
- Third-party risks
- Zero-Day Vulnerabilities
- Data Leakage and Loss
- Weak or Stolen Credentials
- Nation-state attacks
Watch this video to see how MXDR can detect and respond to BEC attacks.
How does MXDR compare to other cybersecurity solutions?
MXDR expands upon traditional cybersecurity solutions by integrating Managed Detection and Response (MDR) capabilities alongside other tools and threat intelligence sources. Unlike standalone SIEM, SOC, or Endpoint Dection and Response (EDR) solutions, MXDR offers a more unified and proactive approach to cybersecurity.
MDR focuses on continuous monitoring, threat detection, and incident response across networks, endpoints, and other attack surfaces. It employs advanced threat detection technologies and often includes 24/7 monitoring by cybersecurity experts who analyse alerts and respond to incidents in real-time.
MXDR integrates these MDR capabilities with other tools and threat intelligence feeds to provide a unified view of your organisation’s security posture. Here’s how MXDR achieves this:
- MXDR aggregates and correlates data from various security tools, such as SIEM logs, network traffic analysis, endpoint telemetry from EDR solutions, and external threat intelligence feeds. This unified visibility across different security domains allows security teams to detect and respond to threats more comprehensively.
- By integrating MDR capabilities, MXDR can detect sophisticated threats that might evade traditional security measures. It uses behavioural analysis, machine learning, and AI-driven algorithms to identify anomalies and potential indicators of compromise (IOCs) across the entire IT environment.
- MXDR enhances incident response times through automation. It can automatically initiate response actions based on predefined playbooks and workflows, reducing manual intervention and accelerating the containment and remediation of threats.
- MXDR is scalable to accommodate the evolving needs of organisations. It can integrate with existing security infrastructure and adapt to new tools and technologies as they emerge, ensuring that the security posture remains robust and up-to-date.
- Beyond reactive incident response, MXDR includes proactive threat hunting capabilities. Security analysts can use the integrated platform to conduct in-depth investigations into potential threats, using historical data and threat intelligence to identify and mitigate risks before they escalate.
MXDR stands out by combining MDR capabilities with integration across diverse security tools and threat intelligence sources. This approach can provide your organisation with a unified, proactive, and efficient security strategy that enhances visibility, accelerates incident response, and strengthens overall cybersecurity posture.
Get a more detailed overview of how they compare in this article.
How MXDR can help your business
Ok, we’ve covered “what is MXDR?” but why does your business need it?
MXDR serves as your dedicated digital security expert, tirelessly protecting your business against cyber threats. It uses advanced technology to detect and mitigate potential risks before they escalate, ensuring your sensitive information remains secure and your operations run smoothly.
For many SMEs, resources can be limited, whether due to budget constraints or a shortage of cybersecurity expertise. According to the (ISC)² Global Workforce Study, “the demand for skills still far exceeds the supply of available workers,” exacerbating the challenge for smaller organisations.
MXDR offers a practical solution by providing access to skilled professionals and cutting-edge technology without the need for a large, internal team. This approach is not only cost-effective but also efficient, helping you to maintain robust cybersecurity defences.
Attackers are continuously evolving their methods to infiltrate businesses, posing threats such as data breaches and operational disruptions. MXDR effectively anticipates these challenges by integrating comprehensive threat intelligence. This capability allows MXDR to proactively defend against the latest cyber attacks, ensuring you are protected even without the resources for constant monitoring and immediate response.
Compliance with cybersecurity regulations is another common concern, especially if you’re an SME with limited resources. MXDR generally helps businesses maintain regulatory compliance by aligning cybersecurity practices with relevant regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS.
It often includes features like automated updates on regulatory changes, expert guidance for interpreting and implementing requirements, and auditing and reporting capabilities to demonstrate adherence during audits.
While specific offerings may vary by MXDR service provider, these functionalities can collectively support your organisation in navigating regulatory complexities effectively.
By partnering with an MXDR service provider, you can focus on business growth while experts handle your cybersecurity needs. This partnership model ensures that SMEs can leverage enterprise-grade cybersecurity capabilities without the price tag.
Now you’re ready to go
Hopefully that’s answered your “What is MXDR?” questions. To recap, MXDR, with its advanced tech, expert analysis, and proactive approach, offers a perfect solution to protect your business. By combining artificial intelligence, automation, and human expertise, MXDR allows you to detect, respond to, and mitigate potential security incidents faster.
Now, it’s time for another cup of tea.
Read to take the first step towards strengthening your cybersecurity defences? Learn about CloudGuard Protect MXDR.
