Three Reasons Why Organizations Need MDR

Resource constrained organizations have a cybersecurity problem. While digital transformation has helped these businesses launch faster and outsource key services to cloud-based applications, this has led to a digital dependence that’s increasing their attack surface and cyber risk. These companies are devoting resources to expanding their digital environment but not increasing their resources to manage their cybersecurity risk.

On the threat side, hackers are specifically targeting cloud-based infrastructure and MSPs. Knowing that MSPs are third-party vendors that can lead to dozens or hundreds of other companies, hackers are targeting them with ransomware. When an attacker successfully infiltrates a resource constrained network, the likelihood of a successful ransomware attack increases by 700%.

To address these risks, organizations can’t rely on just having an EDR or an MSP and are enlisting the services of managed detection and response (MDR) providers. These providers are no longer just for the enterprise and offer a proactive and necessary security option for resource constrained organizations at risk.

Here are three reasons those organizations should consider working with MDR.

1) Threat actors pose a big risk to resource constrained organizations

Malicious actors continue to refine and deploy more sophisticated attacks that resource-constrained organizations are most susceptible to. They’ve deployed automated attacks that are indiscriminate and look for unsecure/low-hanging fruit that are often organizations that don’t have the right controls or technology.

They’re also moving downstream, away from enterprises with robust security departments and budgets, towards smaller companies, knowing success is more likely.

Targeting resource-constrained organizations is more profitable for malicious hackers

Malicious hackers are finding success by targeting resource constrained organizations. Ransomware attacks are on the rise as ransoms continue to be paid despite a steep increase in ransom value. Hackers also have also increased their use of APT attacks. Organizations continue to work with cloud-based providers and third-party vendors that have access to dozens or hundreds of other clients. A hacker can deploy an APT attack to compromise an organization in hopes of reaching other companies. Because these organizations traditionally have weaker cybersecurity, they make for an easy access point.

Given the increased risk posed by more active threat actors and their shifting attacks, organizations can’t rely on traditional security provided by EDR tools and minimal MSP services. They need to look for new tools and vendors that can help improve their cyber resilience.

2) Lack of resources create a struggling environment

Resource constrained organizations have specific cybersecurity and risk pain points enterprises don’t have, making them a target. These pain points are largely due to lack of resources and include:

Ability to recruit and retain cybersecurity talent: A lower cybersecurity budget often means there’s no room for headcount. Many organizations also don’t have the capabilities needed to find the right cybersecurity talent and many individuals choose to go with larger companies or companies specializing in cybersecurity, further straining the recruitment process.

Difficulty navigating the cybersecurity vendor and tool market and environment: The sheer number of security tools and technologies available makes navigating the market difficult even for seasoned departments. Smaller departments may not have the expertise to properly choose the right tools. Even after procuring and integrating a security tool, it may not be the best fit for the organizations’ environment. This can result in too much noise, alerts, and a flood of data that doesn’t lead to an improved cybersecurity posture.

Lack of priority results in poorer cyber resilience: Cybersecurity is not at the top of a resource constrained organization's priority list, resulting in fewer dedicated resources. Without the time, attention, or budget, an organization may not have the right tools or processes to prevent malware from reaching their environment, stopping employee negligence from leading to a compromise, or responding appropriately in case a compromise does occur. The organization will fall behind on their cybersecurity resilience, ultimately exposing themselves to more and more risk.

Compliance becomes more of a challenge: Without the right framework, processes, or controls in place, an organization may not reach the necessary compliance standard. As third-party risk continues to be a priority for regulatory standards, organizations may be subject to fines in case of a data breach.

3) MSPs can’t address specific cybersecurity issues

Organizations often work with MSPs to provide IT support and may think that they can rely on the MSP to provide the cyber resilience they need. Unfortunately, an MSP is limited and a reliance on the service provider may do more harm than good.

MSPs don’t have focused cybersecurity expertise or services to truly protect and enable an organization to detect and respond to an incident. Because they have a large customer base, they may also be slower to provide support or react, which can lead to disaster if an organization is suffering an active attack. Some MSPs are unavailable during weekends and outside of office hours, a clear issue as hackers don’t have traditional working hours.

MSPs also vendor licensing and streamlined on-boarding and they don’t always offer the best security products or solutions as their technology partners are focused on more traditional IT services. This results in a slower time to value in a department that can’t afford to wait.

Managed Detection and Response is a necessity in today’s hostile environment

MDR solutions are purpose-built to improve cyber resilience via 24/7 cybersecurity monitoring and many MDR service providers are now compatible with organizations rather than just being a luxury only afforded by enterprise organizations. Many MDR vendors are tailoring to resource constrained organizations and are expanding to other markets to better serve smaller companies. When looking for MDR providers, organizations should consider a partner that has specifically built their MDR service for a resource constrained audience — this will help organizations fully realize the value offered by a MDR provider.

With MDR, resource constrained organizations can eliminate operational and vendor-related burdens by outsourcing that responsibility to a team of experts who know how to integrate security tools in an environment to deliver more effective insights and proactive analysis. This also results in better detection and faster incident and breach response, reducing the damage a compromise can have on an organization.

Organizations will also experience a faster time to value and time to security as MDR providers offer automated on-boarding with licensed distributors and technology partners. This allows them to quickly improve an organizations cyber resilience while also offering technology and service support, allowing resource constrained organizations to focus on other key priorities.