MXDR: How AI improves threat detection
At a time when cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, organisations need proactive and scalable security solutions. Managed Extended Detection and Response (MXDR) is a service that combines technology, automation, and human expertise to comprehensively protect your IT environment.
What is Managed Extended Detection and Response (MXDR)?
Managed Extended Detection and Response (MXDR) is an advanced security solution that enhances traditional approaches such as Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and Managed Detection and Response (MDR). MXDR combines and analyses security data from disparate sources, including endpoints, networks, cloud services, applications, and user activity. The goal is not only to detect threats but also to analyse their cause and impact in real time. Leveraging AI and automation, MXDR enables proactive threat detection and faster response to attacks.
At the same time, companies benefit from the support of an experienced team conducting 24/7 security monitoring. MXDR thus provides a more comprehensive view of a company's security posture and significantly reduces the time required to detect and contain security incidents. This solution is particularly valuable for companies facing complex threats but lack the internal resources to manage them effectively.
Definition of core terms
Logicalis experts monitor and manage your security infrastructure around the clock.
Extends security monitoring to networks, cloud applications, and hybrid work environments.
Proactive threat detection using AI and machine learning.
Automated and manual response actions to quickly resolve security incidents.
How does MXDR work?
Logicalis combines AI-powered automation with market-leading technologies and the expertise of the Logicalis SOC (Security Operations Centre) experts to monitor and neutralise potential threats around the clock. Security events from various sources are consolidated, correlated, and analysed in a centralised platform. This comprehensive integration enables suspicious activity to be detected in real time and automatically prioritised, enabling threats to be identified more quickly and contained more effectively.
Why is MXDR essential?
The cybersecurity situation is worsening: 83% of CIOs report security incidents in the last year, but only 43% of companies feel adequately prepared. At the same time, 89% of IT leaders are looking for ways to integrate AI into their security strategies.
See more of these stats in our latest CIO Report: Return on Innovation.
Managed Extended Detection and Response (MXDR) leverages AI and automation to detect cyberattacks early and automatically prioritise threats. Logicalis uses machine learning to create behavioural profiles, significantly reducing the time to detection and response (MTTD/MTTR).
Advantages of MXDR
MXDR offers comprehensive security solutions that feature the following benefits:
Round the clock protection
The global SOCs monitor your company 24/7/365 to detect and neutralize threats even outside of working hours.
Scalability and flexibility
MXDR is cloud-based and enables seamless integration into hybrid work environments.
Automated threat defence
Thanks to playbooks and AI-powered technologies, malicious processes are automatically stopped and compromised systems are restored.
Transparency across the entire cyber attack chain
By integrating data from multiple sources, threats can be better understood and combated more quickly.
MXDR: Regulatory compliance and comprehensive protection against cyber threats
Managed Extended Detection and Response (MXDR) helps organisations meet strict compliance requirements such as ISO 27001 and the NIS 2 Directive.
Through continuous monitoring, automated incident response measures, and comprehensive reporting, MXDR ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and simplifies audits and certification processes. Particularly in the context of the NIS 2 Directive, the solution enables the rapid identification and effective handling of security incidents – from isolating affected devices to restoring systems.
MXDR combines an AI-powered platform with the expertise of analysts in Logicalis' global Security Operations Centres (SOCs). This combination provides complete visibility across the entire cyberattack chain and comprehensively protects hybrid IT environments.
By integrating data from endpoints, networks, identities, and cloud applications, MXDR enables proactive threat defence – 365 days a year.
How is MXDR different from other solutions?
Managed Extended Detection and Response (MXDR) differentiates itself from other cybersecurity solutions with its comprehensive and proactive approach. Unlike isolated systems such as EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response), which focuses only on endpoints, or NDR (Network Detection and Response), which monitors networks, MXDR provides holistic protection across multiple security domains.
MXDR vs. SIEM
While SIEM focuses on log management and event correlation, MXDR provides proactive threat detection and automated response.
MXDR vs. XDR
MXDR is a fully managed service that combines AI and human expertise. XDR is a platform solution without the managed service approach.
MXDR vs. SOC
A SOC provides monitoring services, while MXDR also includes automated response and proactive threat prevention. For optimal security, XDR should be an integral part of a SOC.
The diversity of detection and response in cybersecurity
In today's digital world, companies are increasingly faced with the challenge of protecting their networks and systems from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. Detection and response technologies have established themselves as an essential component of modern cybersecurity strategies.
From Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) to Managed Extended Detection and Response (MXDR), various approaches offer specialised solutions for different requirements.
Each of these technologies—be it EDR for endpoint monitoring, Network Detection and Response (NDR) for analysing network traffic, or Threat Detection and Response (TDR) for threat analysis—shares a common goal: the early detection and efficient defence against cyberattacks.
But what distinguishes the individual types, how do they complement each other, and which one is best suited to a company's specific needs?
EDR
Endpoint Detection and Response
Focuses on the organisation's endpoints.
MDR
Managed Detection and Response
Focuses on managing collected telemetry data data and responding to detections.
MXDR
Managed Extended Detection and Response
Managed service for correlating and combining telemetry data provided by SOC.
NDR
Network Detection and Response
Focuses on the organisation's network.
TDR
Thread Detection and Response
Focuses on specific threats.
XDR
Extended Detection and Response
Focuses on correlating and combining telemetry in a single platform.
The technological foundations of MXDR
XDR combines multiple security products into a single, cloud-based platform that proactively protects against cyber threats. An XDR platform generally includes the following key components:
- Endpoint detection and response tools
- AI and machine learning
- Security Analytics Engine
- Automated Response Playbooks
MXDR's technology is powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning , enabling continuous, real-time monitoring of security threats. Logicalis uses continuously improving machine learning algorithms to accurately detect and prioritize threats. This intelligent automation ensures that critical security incidents are immediately identified and efficiently addressed. EDR helps organisations detect, analyse, investigate, and respond to suspicious activity that evades antivirus software.
Another key component of MXDR is access to global threat intelligence , provided through partnerships with industry leaders such as Cisco Talos and Microsoft Defender. This is complemented by automated response playbooks that provide predefined action strategies for known threats. These playbooks significantly accelerate response to attacks and minimize the risk of potential damage.
The role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in automated threat detection and prioritisation
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) play a central role in MXDR's ability to detect threats quickly and accurately. AI analyses massive amounts of telemetry data, identifies striking patterns, and distinguishes potential attacks from false positives. ML algorithms continuously learn from new threat scenarios to better anticipate and prioritise future attacks.
These technologies enable threat detection in real time and the initiation of automated countermeasures—a critical advantage in an increasingly complex and dynamic threat landscape.
The role of MXDR in securing modern technologies such as IoT, 5G or hybrid workplaces
With the growth of modern technologies such as IoT, 5G, and hybrid work models, new security risks arise that traditional solutions often fail to address. MXDR addresses these challenges by providing comprehensive monitoring and protection mechanisms specifically designed for these dynamic environments.
Combining AI, automation, and threat intelligence, MXDR protects IoT devices from potential vulnerabilities, secures 5G networks against targeted attacks, and ensures that hybrid workplaces remain protected with endpoint, network, and cloud security. MXDR thus offers a future-proof solution for companies that want to work with the latest technologies without compromising on security.
Use cases and success stories
Improved security in the gaming industry
A global gaming customer with over 1,700 endpoints and a complex hybrid cloud environment wanted to strengthen its security capabilities in the face of growing threats. Logicalis developed a security roadmap based on Microsoft Sentinel, Defender XDR, and Security Copilot.
The AI-powered MXDR solution optimised threat detection, response, and mitigation, improving security efficiency by 80% and response time (MTTD/MTTR) by 65%.
Additionally, the customer saved $1.03 million annually in operational costs and reduced the risk of security breaches and downtime, significantly increasing operational productivity.
Managed Extended Detection and Response (MXDR) from Logicalis offers a future-proof solution for the challenges of modern cybersecurity.
Combining AI, global SOCs, and a comprehensive threat intelligence platform, MXDR protects your organisation from threats around the clock.