MSSP, MDR, and XDR: Three Cybersecurity Incident Response Options

Cyberattacks can be devastating to your finances and reputation. If you’re concerned about the possibility of a security breach, you’ve probably begun exploring managed cybersecurity. Learning the differences between all of the options available can feel impossible. The good news? It’s not. Continue reading for a better understanding of various incident response options like MSSP, MDR, and XDR.

Key Points:

An MSSP is the basic option for businesses looking to outsource their cybersecurity. MSSPs are typically focused on preventative measures against cyberattacks.
While an MSSP gives excellent monitoring, companies looking for security incident response should consider managed detection response (MDR) offerings. MDR is a proactive model that can prevent and address cybersecurity issues.
Companies that want to maximize their cybersecurity incident response measures should explore extended detection and response (XDR) services.

What Is an MSSP?

A managed security service provider (MSSP) can handle your cybersecurity needs. Many companies find that maintaining an internal IT environment gets harder as you grow. The relationship between scaling your business and IT isn’t linear—IT gets infinitely more complex as your business gets larger. Because of this, MSSPs are ideal for companies that have outgrown the task of supporting their IT operations internally.

In addition to IT becoming much more complicated to handle, cyberthreats can also become more serious. It’s true that cyberattacks are capable of putting small companies out of business, but cyberattacks on large companies can have devastating consequences as well. Some of these consequences include:

Reputational Damage
Loss of Sales
Data Loss
Operational Disruption
Legal Consequences

Cyberattacks are growing increasingly common. In fact, the third quarter of 2022 saw unprecedented growth in global cyberattacks. Instead of learning the importance of cybersecurity the hard way, many businesses have started to partner with trusted MSSPs to keep their company safe.

What Is a Managed Detection Response Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan?

An MSSP typically provides preventive services. While a good MSSP hopes to prevent cyber incidents from ever occurring, they may not be equipped to take action if one happens. This is where managed detection response (MDR) services come in. A typical MSSP offers oversight and protection, but an MDR is an all-inclusive cybersecurity model that actively monitors your network and deploys measures to eliminate cybersecurity threats if they do appear.

A good way to understand MSSP vs. MDR internally is with this comparison to physical security.

Imagine an MSSP as a building outfitted with external physical security systems like cameras, alarm systems, and more. While these security systems are critical for keeping your building safe, they’re ultimately just preventative measures. Once someone gets into the building, however, all of those external security systems aren’t going to be worth much.

Now imagine an MDR as a security guard. A security guard’s job doesn’t stop once someone enters into the building; they’ll still be actively deploying measures to protect the property from intruders.

Where external security systems are often enough to keep your business safe, MDR is the answer to making sure your facility is prepared to prevent and address cyberattacks.

The Benefits of Managed Detection Response

Now that you better understand more about managed detection response, let’s review why MDR is the superior cybersecurity incident response method:

Collaborative Intelligence

As cyberattacks grow more elaborate, the best way to make sure that your systems are prepared to handle any security event is by combining multiple sources of threat intelligence. MDR systems offer advanced cybersecurity incident response by blending human expertise with the speed and efficiency of artificial intelligence. The combination of these two avenues of defense should ensure that your cybersecurity incident response plans are prepared to handle any issue.

Proactive Security Incident Response Measures

When compared to an MSSP, MDRs are much more thorough. Instead of simply scanning for any imminent threats, MDRs conduct vulnerability scanning in real time that could help identify any gaps in your business’s security infrastructure. A traditional MSSP will simply respond to cyberattacks as they come instead of addressing the root of your security problems. Instead of just responding to incidents as they occur, an MDR will sweep through your network and determine what needs to be changed. A MDR is key to creating a constantly evolving, impenetrable barrier between your confidential business data and potential cybercriminals.

Swift, Effective Incident Response Plan and Execution

One of the most important distinctions between an MDR and MSSP is that an MDR is constantly ready to act. This means that you’ll get unparalleled security incident response speed, giving you the confidence that your business can stay secure from any threat.

The all-in-one approach of MDR means that the same team identifying the issues can be the team acting on it. This continuity means that the team will already be prepared to execute and won’t need any time getting briefed on the situation.

What is XDR?

Extended detection and response (XDR) is the next step after MDR. XDR is a service that continuously monitors your infrastructure to detect and respond to cyberthreats. What sets XDR apart from standard management services is that XDR provides real-time, actionable threat data. XDR is the ultimate way to handle threat detection proactively. With the help of XDR security, your MSSP can:

Identify hidden threats
Track threats across your entire IT environment
Respond to and neutralize threats efficiently

Want to Learn More About XDR?

Check out our blog on the subject

Everything You Need to Know About XDR Capabilities

Stay Prepared for Any Incident

Cybersecurity isn’t just an option in today’s business environment—it’s a necessity. The only way to guarantee that your company stays safe is by partnering with an expert.

Looking to lock down your cybersecurity? BL King is the ultimate provider of cybersecurity in New England. We’ve been preventing data breaches since our founding in 2014. Contact us today to keep your company safe.