Businesses need managed detection and response services (MDRs) and managed security service providers (MSSPs) due to the growing number of potential entry points for bad actors. Cloud services, SaaS applications, remote devices, and misconfigured systems are vulnerable to cyber attacks. MDRs and MSSPs both answer the call to help prevent and remedy these increasingly frequent security incidents.
It’s important to understand the differences between MDRs vs MSSPs, what each service offers, and which is the most appropriate option for your company. Medium-to-large businesses will be interested in choosing the best fit for their growing enterprises to streamline their B2B partnerships and prevent security incidents in the future.
What Is Managed Detection and Response (MDR)?
Managed detection and response (MDR) is a proactive approach that uses specific advanced technologies and human expertise to monitor, investigate, detect, and respond to emerging threats. This outsourced service provider focuses on 24/7 monitoring services, threat detection, and response.
What Is a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP)?
Managed security service providers (MSSPs) are third-party companies that offer monitoring services and manage your security systems and processes. MSSPs usually use a subscription-based payment model for cost-effective IT security services. MSSPs offer log management, firewall management services, SIEM monitoring services, and security alerts.
Pro tip: Look for an experienced IT managed service provider with professional expertise and 1:1 support, deep technical experience, and reliability to keep your business ahead, protected, and agile. Partnering with the right company will allow you to take full advantage of the benefits of working with a managed security service provider.
Services Offered by MDR Providers
Managed detection and response services typically include 24/7 monitoring, deep investigations and threat detection, professional guidance and incident response, and structured guides for future issues. This documentation helps you standardize responses, reduce confusion, and increase action during an attack or breach.
Services Offered by MSSPs
Managed security service providers typically offer 24/7 monitoring, log management, and threat alerts. Some also take care of incident response, device management, patching coordination, and compliance reporting. Talk to each prospective MSSP to find out exactly what their business offers.
Differences in Approach to Endpoint Detection
Endpoint detection with a managed detection and response provider involves the 24/7 monitoring of activity on individuals’ devices to identify suspicious or malicious behavior. They analyze behaviors, processes, memory activity, file changes, and network changes in real time.
Cyber breaches generally interact with endpoints at some point. This allows detection tools to catch clues like suspicious or abnormal activity. Highly concentrated threat hunting allows MDR providers to quickly identify an infected machine, block mechanisms, and kill negative processes without waiting for internal IT teams to do so manually.
Many managed security service providers monitor endpoint security tools if your company already has them. MSSPs work with your endpoint tools to collect alerts, forward events to SIEM, and notify when thresholds are met.
In most traditional managed security service provider models, endpoint detection tools are the client’s responsibility to purchase and manage. The managed security service provider will watch for threats and communicate as soon as they are found, but will not necessarily investigate behavior deeply.
Example of the Difference in Day-to-Day Implementation: The managed security service provider with endpoint data would communicate something like, “We saw an alert from your endpoint tool; you must investigate.” The managed detection and response provider that has endpoint detection would say, “We saw suspicious activity on John’s laptop, confirmed the threat, quarantined the device, removed the mechanism, and here is the incident documentation.”
Differences in Incident Response
Incident response in managed detection and response systems includes a hands-on investigation into the what, why, how, when, and where of the incident. Response services and actions are given to the client following the security event.
Incident responses from managed security service provider teams include alerts about the security event as well as advice on steps to take. The client is responsible for carrying out the action steps unless they have this service as part of their MSSP’s response capabilities.
How to Choose Between an MDR and an MSSP
Businesses choose managed detection and response providers for the following reasons:
- They need very fast threat response capabilities, deep investigations, and response management.
- They require threat hunting.
- They work in a high-risk environment.
Businesses choose managed security service providers for the following reasons:
- They need broad coverage across many tools.
- They have internal security staff available to respond to advanced threats when given alerts.
- Their focus is on managing a security operations center, reporting, and upkeep.
Example: Two-thirds of financial institutions faced cyberattacks in 2024, making the finance sector an especially high-risk environment needing fast threat intelligence. Businesses in this industry would typically work with an MDR.
Questions to Ask MSSP and MDR Providers
There are many aspects to cover when considering a good fit for cybersecurity services. Use this simple questionnaire when interviewing possible MSSP and MDR providers:
- What is included with your basic MSSP or MDR package vs add-ons?
- Do you offer round-the-clock monitoring? If so, are endpoints monitored?
- What proactive measures do you use to build a secure environment?
- How does onboarding work, and how long is it until full coverage takes effect?
- What payment service models do you use?
FAQs
Which costs more, an MSSP or MDR?
Managed detection and response providers usually cost more due to their comprehensive security services.
Do MSSPs offer MDR solutions?
Yes, some managed security service providers offer managed detection and response options. Many MSSPs have expanded their offerings to include MDR solutions.
Are there any challenges when working with MSSPs or MDR providers?
Challenges when working with MSSPs and MDR providers mostly include maintaining clear communication surrounding a shared security responsibility.
Which Is Better: MSSP or MDR Services?
The best option when choosing between a managed security service provider and a managed detection and response provider can only be answered by your business’s goals, needs, and unique situation. Each security option has its pros and cons, and both will help you mitigate threats and actively respond to issues.
Keep the following in mind when thinking about your enterprise:
- Internal security team size and the expertise of your team
- Threat landscape
- Budget restraints
- Rapid incident response needs
Managed detection and response options are great for companies needing hands-on threat response and possibly quicker resolution time. Managed security service providers generally offer a more affordable basic security monitoring system for businesses that have internal employees who are able to respond to a threat.
Some businesses have found a sweet spot by joining the two options into a hybrid approach using an MSSP that offers MDR services. Neither choice is a one-size-fits-all option, so take time considering your enterprise’s needs and priorities and ask questions before you decide.
