Digital expansion, remote work and the proliferation of connected devices have expanded the attack surface, making organizations attractive targets for cybercriminals. Although many companies believe they are too small to attack, attackers often use them as a way to improve the techniques used to attack larger, more profitable targets. Are MDRs the solution?
Addressing growing cyberthreats is a critical task for organizations of any size, and managed detection and response (MDR) services, along with managed service providers (MSP), are key allies in mitigating these risks.
4 main cybersecurity challenges for companies
Companies are facing a growing number of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, but many still do not consider security a priority. MSPs can play a key role in helping these organizations develop a robust cybersecurity strategy that adapts to emerging threats.
However, companies' limited resources and lack of advanced detection capabilities leave them exposed to attacks such as living-off-the-land (LotL) and ransomware, which require more advanced defenses than those typically available to organizations. Here are the main challenges they face:
1. More sophisticated cyberthreats
Digital threats are evolving rapidly, becoming more targeted and advanced, making it difficult for companies to effectively defend themselves. Often, these companies do not have a security infrastructure capable of adapting to the constant innovation developed by cybercriminals.
The techniques used by cybercriminals are becoming increasingly complex, such as the use of legitimate tools in “live on the ground” attacks, allowing attackers to remain invisible within compromised systems.
2. Lack of cybersecurity expertise
Organizations often have few cybersecurity resources. This shortage of specialized professionals leaves companies vulnerable, making it difficult to implement proactive security policies, integrate advanced protection technologies and respond to incidents. A lack of human resources also prevents companies from keeping up with current trends and emerging threats, putting them at a disadvantage against increasingly organized cybercriminals.
3. Compliance
Compliance with regulations such as NIS2 or DORA is a major challenge for many companies, especially those with little experience in legal and compliance issues. Compliance is necessary not only to avoid fines, but also to maintain customer trust and ensure business continuity.
4. Economic impact of a cyber attack
According to a Microsoft report, the average cost of a cyberattack on a small or medium-sized business is around $255,000, although some incidents can set the target back up to $7 million. Within this range, the Ponemon Institute estimates that a data breach has an average cost of $2.98 million, primarily due to the financial damage caused by incident investigation, recovery, and negative reputational impact.
The role of MDR services in protecting organizations
Developing a solid incident detection and response capability is essential to improving companies' cybersecurity posture and strengthening organizational resilience. MSPs are crucial allies in implementing effective cybersecurity strategies and solutions that help companies detect and mitigate threats quickly and efficiently, maximizing their resources.
Managed detection and response (MDR) services provide an end-to-end solution, allowing organizations to access the same advanced security technologies and cybersecurity experts that are typically only available to large enterprises. These services are essential for detecting advanced threats, such as low-profile ransomware attacks, through constant monitoring and the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning by teams of experts.
MDR services also enable a quick and efficient response to any security incident, minimizing its impact and preventing the spread of threats. MSPs that implement MDR solutions also facilitate regulatory compliance, reducing the risk of penalties for non-adherence to regulations and optimizing security management costs.
Therefore, MDR services are a fundamental tactic for protecting a company's most valuable assets, ensuring a proactive approach to cybersecurity risks.
Article written by WatchGuard for Pplware
Source: pplware.sapo.pt
