The challenges mid-sized companies face

- and how WithSecure™ MDR can help 

NIS2
Reading time: 7 min

    Published

  • 25/09/2024

Author

WithSecure Intelligence

Introduction

As the cyber threat landscape evolves, new challenges are arising. In particular, mid-sized companies are facing challenges including:

  • targeted attacks
  • new legislative requirements 
  • expectations from other organizations in their supply chains

Targeted attacks

Many mid-sized companies have under-developed security frameworks. There are multiple reasons for this, including that there used to be fewer legislative requirements around cyber security and that, due to budgetary constraints, many mid-sized companies do not prioritize projects to establish more robust security practices. As a result, these companies are typically much easier for threat actors to target and penetrate than a larger company with more mature security systems and practices.

Additionally, mid-sized companies will often have much higher revenue and profit than smaller companies, making them more tempting for threat actors who may be targeting organizations with, for example, ransomware. 

Together, this means that mid-sized organizations exist in a vulnerable position, offering high rewards to threat actors without the deterrent of a robust security posture.

Legal requirements

Many governing bodies around the world have introduced cyber security legislation and guidance in response to evolving threats. The EU’s NIS2 directive, for example, requires affected companies to meet certain standards of security, such as:

  • Establishing procedures for responding to cybersecurity incidents and promptly reporting them to the relevant authorities.
  • Maintaining continuous monitoring of networks and information systems to detect and respond to threats in real time.
  • Providing employees with regular cybersecurity training to increase awareness and reduce the risk of human error.
  • Conducting assessments and audits to identify vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with security standards.
  • Ensuring that sensitive data is protected from unauthorized access and tampering.

For organizations that are newly included in the scope of legislation like NIS2, the investment of time, money, and expertise needed to establish and maintain these systems and processes can be daunting.

For example, the challenges around meeting NIS2’s 24/7 monitoring requirement alone are significant. Companies starting from scratch will need to hire several security experts, factoring in redundancies to cover holiday time and sick leave, but finding and retaining talent with the necessary expertise can be both competitive and costly.

Supply chain expectations

However, the pressure to establish robust security policies goes beyond modern legislation; it's now standard for security requirements to be part of negotiations and contracts. This is because a poorly defended organization can expose the entire supply chain to risk, as threat actors may exploit weaker companies to access larger, more secure targets.

 

WithSecure MDR—the perfect solution

WithSecure’s Managed Detection and Response (MDR) is a fully managed security service—the perfect blend of expert-driven monitoring, rapid response, and tailored support—designed to protect mid-sized companies with moderate or high-risk profiles.  

24/7 monitoring

Mid-sized companies often lack the resources for continuous in-house monitoring. MDR offers around-the-clock surveillance by expert analysts who identify, investigate, and respond to threats in real time, ensuring constant protection against cyber threats.

Research-led approach

WithSecure’s research-led approach means our experts are at the front of the pack when it comes to detection and response capabilities against the latest threats and advanced attackers.

Fast response times

MDR enables fast and effective responses to incidents, thanks to extensive technical incident response capabilities managed 24/7 by a large, specialized team of security experts. This quick response is critical for mid-sized companies that need to triage threats before they escalate.

Expert support and Incident Response Retainer

Through an Incident Response Retainer, MDR customers have guaranteed access to skilled incident response resources in case of a major incident. This ensures that mid-sized companies have the necessary expertise on hand when facing complex security challenges.

Built-in human expertise and advanced technology

MDR leverages a large team of security specialists, including threat analysts, AI researchers, and incident response experts. This team is supported by various AI- and data- driven technologies that process over 10 billion events daily, ensuring accurate threat detection and effective response.

Based in Europe

With a strong European base, WithSecure MDR helps mid-sized companies meet regional compliance requirements, such as those in the NIS2 directive, providing peace of mind and regulatory adherence.

 

Tailored for mid-market needs

WithSecure MDR is specifically designed for mid-sized companies, positioned between the co-monitoring service for smaller businesses and our Countercept service for larger, high-risk entities. It balances cost and security, making it ideal for those who need robust protection without the extensive resources of larger enterprises.

 

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