Why MDR is the Future of Cybersecurity for SMEs

As per Markets and Markets, the MDR (Managed Detection and Response) market is expected to grow from USD 4.1 billion back in 2024 to USD 11.8 billion by 2029, with an impressive CAGR of 23.5%. Considering this age of digitization and growing online ecosystems, SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) today will experience cyberattacks almost certainly.

However, no company welcomes an attack on its systems or records. But preparing for it with adequate measures such as dedicated SOC (Security Operations Center) teams is expensive. SMEs would rather focus on revenue than prepare for a cybersecurity mishap.

But all is not lost. MDR provides SMEs with protection from incursions or data breaches. Its subscription/service-based model and high scalability makes it very important for SMEs.

Cybersecurity Challenges for SMEs

SMEs usually face multiple cybersecurity challenges from budgetary constraints, filling talent gaps to accessing large enterprise-level cybersecurity solutions. In short, SMEs cannot rely on standard managed IT security services for today’s sophisticated cyberattack scenarios.

Budgetary constraints

Cybersecurity is a highly specialized service. As such, it can be extremely expensive to sustain, especially if yours is a small or medium enterprise (SME). In-house SOC teams charge a lot upfront with their personnel, hardware and software costs, and maintenance.

Organizations look for cybersecurity professionals for their unique and in-demand skills. It is hard to come by competent personnel who know how to do their job well. Those that do may charge huge salaries that SMEs are hard pressed to offer. 

Talent gap

The global cybersecurity workforce lacks about 4 million professionals, according to the 2024 Strategic Cybersecurity Talent Framework white paper. 

This is due to a multitude of factors like the workforce being unable to keep up with new technologies, a greater frequency of attacks, and inadequate training programs that don’t keep up with new challenges. 

Legacy technology and outdated technology

Many SMEs still use old and outdated technology with unpatched vulnerabilities that cybercriminals exploit to breach and steal data. Also, most businesses now store their information and customer data online. With new technologies surfacing regularly, it is dangerous to challenge cyber incursions with anything less than the latest technology.

Severe impact

SMEs, because of their scale and limitations are highly vulnerable to cyber attacks and their consequences. A major financial loss may deteriorate your business, the loss of customer trust can irreparably damage your reputation, and violating data protection laws can lead to millions of euros in fines. 

While a large corporation with its assets, threat detection, and cybersecurity measures can recover from such an incident, SMEs cannot. 

How MDR Cybersecurity Solves SME Pain Points

MDR solutions do more than just detection and response. It lowers cybersecurity costs for SMEs, provides access to large enterprise-level cybersecurity talents, softens impacts on risk parameters, and more.

Lowers costs

The average global cost of a cybersecurity breach is USD 4.88 million, according to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach 2024 Report.

MDR is a relatively cost-effective option for businesses with its customizable features and subscription model. SMEs need only invest in features that they deem necessary without paying salaries and costs of an in-house security team.

Closes the talent gap

You don’t need to add to your team size when you are working with an MDR provider. You get access to a ready security team. Their expertise is also hard to replicate with their experience in a wide variety of cyber threats. 

Specialized managed it security services like MDR acts as a bridge, competently filling cybersecurity gaps and doing it while being tailored to your business. There are no redundant features or complications. The interesting part for SMEs? They need not add more resources to their IT team while still benefiting from MDR services.

Involves highly-skilled professionals with the latest systems

MDR is human logic and the latest technologies working hand-in-hand. The solution providers also integrate all existing security tools (like EDR, SIEM, firewalls) with modern capabilities, building a unified detection and response framework.

MDR provides you hardened cyber professionals adept in ethical hacking, threat hunting, ransomware analysis, network traffic analysis, and more. They work with powerful systems to keep your company safe from cyber attacks.

Softens the impact of cyber attacks

Summing up, it is perfectly evident that while SMEs are very vulnerable from cyber attacks, they are not always the best equipped for them. To remedy this, MDR adapts to your business’ cybersecurity needs and scales as needed, ensuring continued threat detection and protection at a reasonable cost. 

This protects your company from cybercriminals and the potential loss of customer trust, data, or even the business itself.

Why does Sangfor Athena MDR Stand Out?

Sangfor Athena MDR is a culmination of human and AI capabilities in the MDR space. It brings together machine learning, threat intelligence, and human logic to fend off all kinds of cyber threats. 

This helps SMEs detect and respond adequately to attacks. It’s AI-powered security solutions, including Athena Network Detection and Response (NDR) and Sangfor Athena EPP, support Athena MDR services. It uses global threat intelligence for much faster threat detection and remediation.

The team at here is global, meaning that MDR security experts are available and working 24/7. They are continuously monitoring for threats. This is an active process, enabling them to give SMEs like you meaningful advice on threat response.

MDR’s Place in the Future of SME Cybersecurity

SMEs work on a limited budget. Their focus on hiring a full-blown, in-house security team is usually out of the question. This gives rise to serious security concerns. MDR opens up an interesting front here with subscription-based services, scalability, skilled professionals, and value for money. 

For instance, with Sangfor’s own Athena MDR, powered by artificial intelligence and human ingenuity, complement each other towards a better security outcome. 

In short, MDR gives you enterprise-level protection without the associated high complexity or cost. With the increasing sophistication of modern cyber attacks, it is smart not to depend on basic security tools or overworked IT teams.