What should a mid-sized company look for in an XDR solution?

Mid-sized companies face increasingly sophisticated cybersecurity threats. With limited resources compared to large enterprises, they must navigate the complex terrain of cybersecurity efficiently and effectively.

Extended Detection and Response (XDR) is the evolution of Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR). It is here to help with a more comprehensive threat detection and response approach designed to deliver advanced protection without adding yet another solution to be managed with limited resources. But what exactly should a mid-sized company seek in an XDR solution tailored to its needs? Let's take a look at some key considerations.

Consolidation of multiple solutions

A mid-sized company's IT infrastructure may be diverse, comprising various applications, endpoints, email, and cloud services. Therefore, an XDR solution should seamlessly integrate with some of your existing services, like email, and identity and access management. Look for XDR solutions that can consolidate some of your existing security tools and provide centralized visibility for streamlined management without adding another tool to monitor.

Comprehensive threat detection

Limited resources and a lack of dedicated security teams make automated threat detection crucial. XDR vendors should continuously develop the detection capabilities of their XDR solution, which should employ advanced analytics, machine learning, and behavioral analysis to detect threats across multiple vectors, including endpoints, identity, email, and cloud services.

Real-time Response

In the face of cyber threats, time is of the essence. A robust XDR solution should enable real-time and automated response actions to stop ransomware attacks swiftly and contain other potential breach attempts. Resource-constrained teams should look for XDR solutions with automation that can quickly stop the attack even when their own team is not prepared to respond around the clock.

Cost-effectiveness and ROI

TBudget constraints are a harsh reality for mid-sized companies. When evaluating XDR solutions, consider the total cost of ownership, including licensing fees, ongoing maintenance expenses, and access to additional services. Seek solutions that balance cost-effectiveness and comprehensive security capabilities, ensuring a positive return on investment in the long run. Remember to consider the impact of having access to the XDR vendor’s experts as an extension of your own team.

Vendor Reputation and Support

Partnering with a reputable vendor is crucial for the success of any cybersecurity initiative. Evaluate the vendor's track record, customer testimonials, services offering, and industry recognition to gauge their reliability and expertise. However, companies should also consider their own requirements since so-called ”leaders” might not be the best choice for an SME’s specific needs and could be too complex to manage with limited resources. Additionally, consider the quality of customer support resources to ensure a smooth ongoing support experience.

Flexibility

The only constant is change, and from time to time, every organization faces changes. Companies should look for an XDR solution that offers flexibility to adapt to any changes that occur. Cloud-native XDR solutions should be sought that are more flexible and easier to manage when people need to work from home or elsewhere. It should be noted that while many XDR vendors offer multi-year contracts, others are more flexible with flexible monthly subscriptions that adapt as needed.

Summary

Selecting the right XDR solution is a strategic decision for companies aiming to bolster their cybersecurity defenses with limited resources and budget. By prioritizing the consolidation of multiple solutions, threat detection capabilities, real-time response, centralized visibility, cost-effectiveness, vendor reputation, and flexibility, organizations can mitigate risks effectively and safeguard their business against evolving cyber threats.

Those looking for partnerships instead of just technology are better positioned to achieve security outcomes that support business outcomes. Now more than ever, investing in robust cybersecurity measures is not just a necessity - it's a competitive advantage.