Events in 2025 have highlighted the catastrophic risks associated with cybercrime. Ransomware attacks on Marks & Spencer and the Co-Op are expected to have cost each company millions of pounds in losses and strongly impacted their reputations. 

Ransomware is one of the most common (and most devastating) cyber threats today. Global cybercrime gangs make millions extorting money out of businesses of all sizes and industries. That threat is why MSPs and MSSPs now recommend tougher cybersecurity measures than before.

It's no longer enough to simply rely on Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR). Now, many midmarket and large companies are turning to Managed Detection and Response (MDR) to keep them safe. In this article, we will cover what MDR is, how it works, and what it protects you from - to allow you to make an informed decision on whether it is right for your company.

What is MDR?

Managed Detection and Response (MDR) is a cybersecurity service that combines advanced threat detection technologies with human expertise to monitor, analyse, and respond to threats in real time. Unlike traditional security tools, MDR is delivered as a fully managed service—meaning your business benefits from 24/7 monitoring, threat intelligence, and incident response without needing to build an in-house security operations center (SOC).

MDR providers use a combination of:

• AI-driven analytics
• Threat intelligence feeds
• Security experts (often called threat hunters)
• Real-time incident response capabilities

This makes MDR especially valuable for midmarket businesses that lack the resources to maintain a full-scale cybersecurity team.

Why MDR is better than EDR and XDR

While EDR and XDR offer important capabilities, they often fall short in coverage, scalability, and response speed—especially for midmarket organisations.

EDR: Limited Scope

EDR focuses on endpoint devices like laptops and servers. It detects and responds to threats on those devices but doesn’t provide visibility across your entire IT environment. It also requires internal teams to manage alerts and take action, which can be overwhelming and inefficient.

XDR: Broader but Still DIY

XDR expands visibility across multiple layers—network, cloud, endpoints—but still requires your internal team to manage and respond to threats. For midmarket businesses, this can lead to alert fatigue and missed threats due to limited resources.

MDR: Proactive and Fully Managed

MDR goes beyond both EDR and XDR by offering:

• 24/7 monitoring and response by cybersecurity experts
• Threat hunting to proactively identify risks before they escalate
• Rapid incident containment and remediation
• Actionable reporting tailored to business leaders

In short, MDR delivers enterprise-grade protection without the complexity or cost of building it yourself.

What risks does MDR protect you from?

MDR is designed to defend against a wide range of cyber threats, including:

• Ransomware attacks that can lock down critical systems and demand payment
• Phishing campaigns targeting employees with deceptive emails
• Insider threats from disgruntled or careless staff
• Advanced persistent threats (APTs) that infiltrate systems and remain undetected for months
• Zero-day vulnerabilities that exploit unknown software flaws

By continuously monitoring your environment and responding in real time, MDR helps prevent data breaches, financial loss, and reputational damage.

Why upgrade to MDR?

Cybercriminals increasingly target midmarket companies, knowing they often lack the robust defenses of larger enterprises. MDR offers a cost-effective way to level the playing field—giving you access to elite cybersecurity talent and technology without the overhead.

According to Gartner, the average cost of a ransomware attack for a mid-size business is £130,000. Across SMEs, total cyber losses in the UK average £3.4 billion annually.

The examples of Marks and Spencer and Co-Op highlight that, even with a reasonable IT security investment, a skilled attacker can be hard to keep out. However, 24/7 live global monitoring of your infrastructure ensures that cyber risks are mitigated in a cost-effective manner.

entrustIT partners with Sophos to provide a world-leading MDR service from a global leader. Find our more here.