On a market continuously faced with workforce shortage, with a gap of 3.4 million workers globally (ISC2), businesses need to adapt their cybersecurity strategy and consider external services that can provide an incident response team, such as Managed Extended Detection & Response (MXDR).
What are MXDR services?
MXDR services are comprehensive cybersecurity services that offer real-time monitoring, threat detection, and incident response (IR) capabilities across an enterprise’s digital environment including endpoints, networks, email systems, cloud applications, and more.
An MXDR service successfully combines the intelligence of a detection and response platform (XDR) and the expertise of an incident response team to swiftly identify the threats in your system and respond to them.
How can you benefit from MXDR services?
In terms of benefits, an MXDR service can enhance resources, provide higher expertise, and help overcome alert fatigue.
As a company grows, it needs more security staff to handle cybersecurity tasks, but MXDR can help you with that, as it can secure your systems without having to hire any additional security staff.
Outsourcing operations like forensic investigations and malware analysis allows for immediate access to specialized professionals without the need to find and retain them. This can help build a mature cybersecurity posture.
Alert fatigue can arise when your employees deal with numerous security alerts, leading to poor decision-making. An MXDR solution ensures faster threat detection, preventing threats from going undetected and exposing the organization to cybercrime.
MXDR vs. MDR
Both Managed Extended Detection and Response (MXDR) and Managed Detection and Response (MDR) are cybersecurity services that combine the latest endpoint security technologies with human expertise.
The main difference is that MDR is focused more on securing endpoint devices, while MXDR extends its visibility to the entire attack surface, including endpoint devices, traffic, cloud, and applications.
MXDR can correlate security telemetry data across networks. As a result, MXDR can respond to identified threats in real time across the entire network environment.
What are the top MXDR services in 2023?
To help you gain a better overview of the options on the market, I’ve prepared a list with the top 7 MXDR/MDR services that can elevate your cybersecurity defense:
1. Heimdal® MXDR Adapt
Heimdal® stands out as number one because it integrates detect-and-respond services with the industry’s broadest coverage, achieving a high level of protection against advanced cyber threats.
Heimdal’s MXDR service is powered by the renowned Heimdal XDR – Unified Security Platform that brings together 10+ cybersecurity solutions that cover complex attack surfaces.
MXDR Adapt is especially valuable for organizations with a large and complex IT infrastructure, such as multinational corporations, financial institutions, healthcare providers, government agencies, and other organizations that handle sensitive data.
Heimdal is also an excellent choice for SMBs because they often lack the budget to maintain an in-house cybersecurity team or invest in multiple security tools. However, with MXDR Adapt, they can gain access to a variety of advanced security features at an affordable cost.
Heimdal®’s Top MXDR Capabilities:
AI-driven Detection: Heimdal uses cutting-edge technologies such as machine learning, behavioral patterns, and threat visualization to provide advanced and comprehensive detection.
Unified Intelligence: Leverages the power of its unified platform, XDR, to provide evidence-based results. Heimdal’s XDR platform covers network security, endpoint security, vulnerability management, privileged access management, email security, and threat hunting.
Advanced Investigation: Heimdal’s accredited Security Operations Center (SOC) team of experts can swiftly investigate and respond to threats to minimize downtime and productivity losses.
Instant Deployment: A lightweight option with instantaneous protection and minimal configuration requirements.
Customized Alert Management: With the MXDR service, users can customize their alert preferences and decide which aspects they wish to manage, ensuring they receive only relevant notifications while the system maintains overall security vigilance.
Why Heimdal MXDR? Our service stands out for its cost-effectiveness in a market grappling with talent shortages. As our client, you gain access to seasoned professionals who deal with cybersecurity challenges daily. They bring to the table the expertise to resolve in 5 minutes what might demand hours of your time – even with technical knowledge – purely due to their hands-on experience.
Only 1% of businesses are truly prepared to handle a cyberattack effectively. The other 99% risk facing huge data and financial losses, as well as operational disruptions, should an attack occur. This widespread risk often comes from not dedicating enough time to cybersecurity or believing ‘it won’t happen to me.’
Dragos Rosioru, MXDR Team Lead at Heimdal®
Heimdal® MXDR Pricing
Our pricing model is considered competitive, offering good value while providing a comprehensive set of security features.
- Pricing includes all operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS X, and Android.
- Prices vary according to seat count (1–20,000+) and server count (1–100+).
- The cost of licensing varies depending on the subscription period: monthly, yearly, three years, and five years.
- Based on seat counts, a discount is available for combined DNS Security for Perimeter and Endpoint.
2. Arctic Wolf MDR
Arctic Wolf MDR delivers 24/7 monitoring across networks, endpoints, and cloud environments, aiming to efficiently detect and mitigate cyber threats. Utilizing the Concierge Security Team and the Arctic Wolf Platform, it endeavors to provide a secure, responsive cybersecurity environment.
Arctic Wolf’s Main Features:
- Guided Response: Timely incident response.
- Expert Team: Dedicated, knowledgeable security advisors.
- Unified Platform: The Arctic Wolf Platform focuses on enhanced security outcomes.
- Continuous Monitoring: 24/7 surveillance of digital assets.
Considerations
Support Response: Some users said they have experienced difficulties obtaining logs for investigations, despite the system indicating active log collection. Other users also complained of slow support responsiveness and challenges in communication and follow-through during incidents.
Arctic Wolf Pricing
Arctic Wolf MDR offers two main pricing options. The “MDR Basic” plan, designed to monitor up to 100 users, costs $44,000 per year, with options for two and three-year plans at $93,685.68 and $140,528.52, respectively. Alternatively, they offer a “Custom Pricing” plan, which follows the same pricing but allows for tailored terms and coverage to meet specific needs.
3. Alert Logic MDR
Alert Logic Managed Detection and Response (MDR) offers around-the-clock protection for all organizational assets, combining specialized technology and a team of cybersecurity experts. Alert Logic aims to quickly identify and resolve threats, displaying key data such as alerts, vulnerabilities, and compliance status through a user-friendly dashboard.
Alert Logic’s Main Features:
- Cybersecurity Team Collaboration: Close working relationships with customers to comprehend and address unique cybersecurity needs.
- Comprehensive Dashboard: Real-time information on risks, vulnerabilities, investigations, remediation activities, configuration exposures, and compliance status.
- Customized Threat Resolution: Empowering customers to promptly identify and manage cybersecurity threats.
Considerations
Usability Challenges: Some users have reported difficulties in understanding log reviews, deploying solutions with occasionally inaccurate or outdated documentation, and navigating through a UI that can be complex and unintuitive. The Multi-Factor Authentication option seems to be missing or is hard to find within the UI.
Alert Logic Pricing
Alert Logic MDR provides three subscription levels to suit various cybersecurity needs across multiple environments. MDR Essentials offers basic 24/7 visibility and vulnerability scanning, MDR Professional adds 24/7 threat detection and a dedicated MDR Concierge, while MDR Enterprise enhances protection for high-risk assets by building upon the Professional tier.
Detailed pricing can be obtained by quote on their website.
4. Rapid 7
Rapid7 MDR aims to enhance security for teams of varied sizes and expertise by combining technological solutions and security expertise to identify and mitigate threats. The service emphasizes continuous monitoring, threat hunting, response support, and tailored security advice, aiming to navigate through threats and improve overall security maturity.
Rapid 7’s Main Features:
- Threat Detection: Employs a mix of detection methods, including threat intelligence and network traffic analysis, to identify environment threats.
- Threat Mitigation: Proactively contains user and endpoint threats and provides detailed reports for additional remediation actions.
- Security Program Assistance: Provides expert assistance to fortify defenses and improve the security program.
Considerations
- Cost and Customer Support: While comprehensive, Rapid7 MDR comes at a notable cost, potentially posing a barrier for smaller organizations or those with constrained budgets. Furthermore, user experiences with customer support have varied, with some reporting challenges in receiving timely and detailed responses to inquiries and issues.
Rapid 7 Pricing
Rapid7’s Managed Threat Complete (MTC) combines MDR and vulnerability management using XDR technology, supported by a 24/7 global SOC team. They offer two asset-based pricing packages: MTC Essential and MTC Advanced for enhanced security maturity with expert guidance. Detailed pricing can be obtained by quote on their website.
5. Falcon Complete
CrowdStrike’s Falcon Complete provides a Managed Detection and Response (MDR) service, delivering 24/7 protection with a focus on investigating various alert levels and facilitating hands-on remediation.
With the backing of CrowdStrike’s specialist team, this service emphasizes prompt deployment, claiming readiness within hours, and leverages the Falcon platform’s cloud-native architecture to manage threat containment, investigation, and mitigation.
Falcon Complete’s Main Features:
- Comprehensive Alert Investigation: Every alert, regardless of its severity, is investigated.
- Rapid Remediation: Offers active remediation, even handling full cleanup without the necessity for reimaging or halting operations.
- Cloud-Native Architecture: Uses the Falcon platform for fast threat containment and mitigation.
Considerations
- Integration and GUI Concerns: Some users have pointed out challenges integrating Falcon Complete into their existing security infrastructure due to compatibility or configuration complexities.
- Additionally, aspects of the GUI might not always meet expectations, leading to occasional usability issues. Feedback also suggests a desire for more regular communication regarding actions in the environment and concerns about repetitive false positives.
Falcon Complete Pricing
CrowdStrike Falcon offers three pricing tiers, all billed annually: Falcon Pro at $6.99/endpoint/month for 5-250 endpoints, Falcon Enterprise at $14.99/endpoint/month (minimum endpoints apply), and Falcon Premium at $17.99/endpoint/month (minimum endpoints apply), with a free trial available across all options.
6. SentinelOne
Vigilance MDR by SentinelOne provides a 24/7 Managed Detection and Response service, focusing on managing cybersecurity through continuous global monitoring, specified response times, and expert management. The service is designed to manage alerts, make security decisions, and deliver detailed reports with a client-oriented approach.
SentinelOne’s Main Features:
- 24/7/365 Global Coverage: Constant environment monitoring and response availability worldwide.
- Full-Service Solution: Comprehensive approach with digital forensics, incident response, and security consultation.
- Proactive Incident Response: Includes assessments for readiness to respond, evidence source identification, and emergency response plan creation.
- Expert Partnership and Guidance: Tailored reporting and guidance for sustainable success, alongside thorough threat review and action.
Considerations
- Some users have noted concerns related to system performance, affordability, lack of threat information, and recurrence of false positives, with exclusion being the sole option to prevent these.
SentinelOne Pricing
Vigilance MDR by SentinelOne offers pricing per 100 units at $6,600 for a 1-year subscription. Detailed pricing can be obtained by quote on their website.
7. Sophos
Sophos MDR focuses on providing comprehensive, 24/7 managed cybersecurity services, detecting and counteracting threats across various digital domains such as computers, servers, networks, and cloud workloads.
Sophos Main Features:
- 24/7 Global Cybersecurity Monitoring: Persistent oversight of your digital assets by a team of cybersecurity experts.
- Proactive Threat Mitigation: Immediate action and notification upon threat detection.
- Self-Evaluation: For those with the expertise, there’s the option to assess the collected MDR data independently.
Considerations
- User Experience and Support Challenges: Some users have highlighted that the platform may be challenging for newcomers and isn’t user-friendly for non-IT individuals, and there have been instances of extended support ticket response times.
Sophos Pricing
Sophos Managed Threat Response prices start at $79 per user per year. Detailed pricing can be obtained by direct inquiry on their website.
How to choose the right managed detection and response services for you
Choosing the right Managed Detection and Response (MDR) service involves a thorough evaluation of your organization’s specific cybersecurity needs, available budget, and alignment with a service provider’s capabilities and expertise to ensure enhanced security posture and effective threat management.
- Identify Specific Needs. Understand your organization’s unique cybersecurity requirements, vulnerabilities, and compliance obligations to select an MDR that aligns with your needs.
- Expertise and Experience. Ensure that the MDR provider has demonstrated expertise, a proven track record, and experience in your industry or similar cybersecurity contexts.
- Technology and Tools. Evaluate the technological capabilities, toolsets, and platforms used by the MDR to ensure they can effectively secure your digital assets.
- Response Time. Examine the MDR provider’s history and commitment to response times, ensuring they can quickly and effectively manage and mitigate incidents.
- Pricing and Scalability. Consider the pricing model of the MDR service, ensuring it provides value and can scale according to your organization’s growth and evolving needs.
Wrap Up
Selecting the best Managed Detection and Response (MDR) service is an important decision for your organization. In reviewing the top 7 MDR/MXDR services, we’ve noted a range of features, capabilities, and pricing structures, each with its own strengths and areas for improvement.
Remember to pick a service that fits your current and future needs, considering factors like cost, support, and ease of integration. The best choice will help protect your digital activities, ensuring smooth and secure operations!