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Managed Detection and Response (MDR)

A security service that combines technology and human expertise to detect, investigate, and respond to threats 24/7.

Security OperationsAlso called: "mdr service", "managed threat detection"

MDR providers deliver continuous monitoring, threat hunting, and incident response as a managed service.

What MDR delivers

  • 24/7 security monitoring and alert triage by expert analysts.
  • Proactive threat hunting to find adversaries before they trigger alerts.
  • Incident investigation and guided response actions.
  • Integration with existing security tools (SIEM, EDR, firewalls).

MDR vs traditional security

  • Traditional: Tools generate alerts that internal teams must investigate.
  • MDR: Expert analysts handle detection, investigation, and response.
  • Reduces alert fatigue and fills expertise gaps for under-resourced teams.

When MDR makes sense

  • Organizations lacking 24/7 SOC capabilities.
  • Teams overwhelmed by alert volume and false positives.
  • Need for rapid threat response without hiring additional security staff.
  • Compliance requirements for continuous monitoring and incident response.