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What is MDR and how do MSPs deliver it?

By , CEO, CybaVerse. Last reviewed

Managed detection and response (MDR) is a service in which analysts monitor an organisation's security signals 24/7, investigate suspicious activity and contain real attacks quickly. MSPs deliver MDR by partnering with an MDR platform that includes a SOC, agreeing pre-approved response actions with each client and owning onboarding, communication and recovery.

This guide is part of the CybaVerse Knowledge Hub.

What does MDR actually do?

MDR combines technology and people. Tools collect events from endpoints, identities, cloud services and firewalls, detection rules raise alerts, and analysts decide which alerts are real. When an attack is confirmed, the service contains it, for example by isolating a device or disabling an account, then supports the follow-on response.

The NIST incident response guidance describes the same cycle of detection, analysis, containment and recovery. MDR exists because most organisations cannot staff that cycle every hour of every week. Attackers do not keep office hours, so detection that only works from nine to five leaves the riskiest hours uncovered.

How is MDR different from EDR, SIEM and a SOC?

EDR is a tool on each device. A SIEM is a tool that collects and searches logs. A SOC is the team that watches them. MDR is the outcome: a managed service that uses EDR, SIEM data and a staffed SOC to detect and respond for you, around the clock.

TermWhat it isWho acts on it
EDREndpoint detection and response toolWhoever watches its alerts
SIEMLog collection, search and detectionWhoever watches its alerts
SOCA team of security analystsThe SOC itself
MDRManaged service combining all threeThe MDR provider, within agreed actions

How do MSPs deliver MDR without building a SOC?

Most MSPs partner with an MDR platform that includes a 24/7 SOC, then package the service under their own brand. The MSP sells, onboards and speaks to the client. The SOC monitors, triages and contains threats out of hours, within the actions each client has approved in advance.

  1. Step 1: Choose an MDR platform built for MSPs

    Look for multi-tenant management, branding options and support for the EDR tools clients already run, such as Microsoft Defender, Sophos or the other EDR tools you already use.

  2. Step 2: Agree pre-approved actions with each client

    Decide which containment steps the SOC can take without a call, such as isolating a laptop or revoking a session.

  3. Step 3: Build a complete escalation list

    Make sure someone can be reached for decisions at any hour, including weekends.

  4. Step 4: Connect data sources and deploy agents

    Connect identity, email and endpoint sources so the SOC can see a full attack chain.

  5. Step 5: Report outcomes every month

    Show clients what was detected, contained and fixed, not just how many alerts fired.

What are the biggest MDR challenges for MSPs?

The challenges we hear most from MSPs are alert fatigue, unclear responsibility after detection, slow escalation and difficulty proving value to clients. Each page in this cluster tackles one of them, with steps an MSP can apply across its client base and the public guidance behind each recommendation.

  • Noise. Too many alerts and false positives bury the real attack.
  • Ownership. Detection without agreed remediation leaves issues open.
  • Escalation. Out-of-hours decisions stall when nobody answers the phone.
  • Proof. Clients and insurers want evidence that monitoring reduces risk.

How does CybaOps help MSPs deliver MDR?

CybaOps is the CybaVerse MDR platform, sold through MSPs, resellers and distributors, backed by our UK-based security operations centre. MSPs can run it across all their customers from one multi-tenant platform, and can see it in a CybaOps demo before they onboard any of their clients. Thinkmoney's CISO, Glenn Sproule, chose CybaVerse for its SOC.

  • Our UK-based security operations centre monitors customer environments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • CybaCore is our AI-enabled MDR package, with 24/7 UK cyber operators, continuous monitoring, identity threat detection and response, and a monthly allowance of incident response.
  • CybaEdge adds unlimited incident response, threat hunting and premium identity threat detection and response, delivered by our UK SOC.
  • CybaOne adds SIEM, an external penetration test and dark web monitoring to everything in CybaEdge.
  • CybaOps works with the security tools you already have, including Microsoft Defender, Sophos and the other EDR tools you already use, so you do not have to rip and replace.
  • Our SOC hunts for new threats across customer environments and alerts customers when a new attack affects tools they use.
  • Incidents are worked as cases in CybaOps, so every alert, action and note sits in one record your team can see.
  • Pre-approved response actions are agreed with the MSP for each client during onboarding.

MDR for MSPs

How MSPs deliver MDR to every client

Managed detection and response (MDR) is a service in which analysts monitor an organisation's security signals 24/7, investigate suspicious activity and contain real attacks quickly.

01 Your tools

Multi-tenantPartner / MSP CustomerCustomerCustomer+
CybaOps by CybaVerse

MDR for MSPs

02 The 5-step path

  • Role-based access
  • UK-based analysts
  • ISO 27001

03 Outcomes

Explore

Hover or tap any part of the diagram to see what it does.

  • MDR in
  • CybaCore
  • CybaEdge
  • CybaOne

What else do MSPs ask about MDR?

These are the follow-up questions MSPs ask most when they first look at adding MDR to their services.

Do clients need to replace their EDR to get MDR?

Usually not. Many MDR services, including CybaOps, work with the security tools a client already runs, such as Microsoft Defender, Sophos or the other EDR tools you already use. Check that the service brings in the alerts and data the SOC needs.

Does MDR include remediation?

It varies by provider. Some only alert. Others contain threats and help fix root causes. Ask who fixes the issue after detection, and how that work is recorded and verified, before you sign.

Who talks to the client during an incident?

In an MSP-delivered model the MSP usually owns client contact, and the SOC escalates to the MSP. Agree this in writing so the client hears one consistent voice during a stressful moment.

What should you do next?

See how the pieces fit together on the CybaOps platform page. MSPs can read about the CybaVerse partner model for MSPs.

See how CybaVerse MDR works an incident from alert to closure.

Book a CybaOps demo