MDR versus XDR

As more businesses embrace remote work and cloud infrastructure, the attack surface of an organization expands. Security solutions now need to provide protection beyond traditional technology such as endpoints like computers, mobile devices, servers etc. to include the entire network and extend to the cloud. Extended Detection and Response (XDR) is the latest step in the evolution of endpoint protection, offering visibility across entire networks, the cloud, endpoints, and applications to detect, analyze, hunt and respond to threats. In this blog post, we will explain the difference between Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and XDR and why combined these solutions provide businesses with the most advanced cybersecurity solution. At Nucleus we are committed to continually maturing our security offering, which is why we have evolved our security services from an MDR standalone solution to XDR, the next generation of Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR). 

What is MDR? 

MDR solutions are a security as a service offering that blends professional IT experts, known as a Security Operations Center (SOC) with threat intelligence technologies. MDR focuses on mitigating, eliminating and remediating threats by a dedicated, experienced security team. This team acts on threats when automated actions are not possible. They provide all the programming and engineering work necessary to effectively and quickly contain threats. 

MDR Features  

• 24/7/365 threat monitoring and response 
• 200+ staff and a dedicated Incident Response Team 
• Cutting-edge security intelligence 
• Certified SOC 2, SOC 3 and GDPR  

What is Extended Detection and Response? 

XDR is the next generation of Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR). It is a technological approach to security founded on the understanding that endpoint protection is not enough to protect most businesses modern IT environments. XDR extends threat detection and response across multiple layers within a single tool, aggregating siloed data, providing greater visibility and faster automated analysis of cyber incidents of businesses’ complete technology stack.  

How does XDR Work? 

XDR solutions make decisions based on data from a variety of sources, acting across an organization’s entire stack, including email, network, identity, and beyond to optimize threat detection, investigation, response, and hunting in real-time.  

XDR Features 

• Identification and analysis of all internal and external data to find potential vulnerabilities 
• Tracks threats 
• Automated correlation and confirmation of alerts 
• Utilizes a centralized user interface to investigate and respond to events 
• Performs comprehensive analytics across all threat sources 
• Uses machine learning and automated threat detection 

Key Benefits  

• A more in-depth understanding of cyber threats 
• Multi-device and complete network protection 
• Context-rich alerts 
• Enhanced automation 
• Greater prioritization of incidents 
• Faster detection and response 
• More effective responses 

Better Together: MDR + XDR 

Together these solutions form a multi-layered approach to security that leverages the expertise of cybersecurity professionals (MDR) with the latest set of tools for fast detection, automation and more accurate investigations (XDR). Nucleus’ Managed SentinelOne XDR solution combined with our MDR SOC and other Managed Security Services provides the most advanced cybersecurity solution available for small and medium-sized businesses. To learn more about our Security Services, connect with us.