24 April 2025
Mike Fry, Infrastructure Data & Security Solutions Director at Logicalis UK&I
Today’s cyber threats are faster, smarter, and harder to detect. This means IT security teams must have visibility across all corners of the IT estate from staff devices, external locations containing company data, communication apps and the network foundation of a business.
The digital-first world we operate in today puts relentless pressure on IT security managers like you! You’re expected to keep your team’s skills sharp, plug any knowledge gaps, and still protect the business from ever-evolving threats.
Insufficient security resources remain a major challenge. While you may have tools for certain areas, such as endpoint protection, you might still have blindspots to unknown security flaws elsewhere. Even when running multiple tools at once, limited integration and visibility of each other can cause alert overload and create critical gaps in protection.
When those tools flood you with information and notifications, it can be overwhelming and lead to fatigue or missed alerts of major threats to the network.
This is where managed extended detection and response (MXDR) comes into play. A unified approach to automated security, deployed across your entire IT estate, is the key to complete protection and peace of mind.
The benefits of XDR and why they matter
To begin with, before we consider MXDR, let’s clearly define what extended detection and response (XDR) entails and how it can support you in overseeing security protocols.
At its core, XDR is a holistically unified technology that provides real-time threat detection and response across communication, endpoints, networks, and the cloud. It helps identify and mitigate threats before they cause significant damage.
As a result, XDR protects against emerging threats and helps stay one step ahead of threat actors, eliminating blind spots that would otherwise go unnoticed.
Here’s what you can expect:
● Faster threat detection results from a greater understanding of particular vulnerabilities and risk areas.
● Prioritised threats by impact, allowing for greater focus on the most pressing dangers to the business, and lowered strain in the process.
● Accelerated investigations through awareness of the full scope and entry vectors of attacks.
● Accelerated response, aided by AI and machine learning, along with remediation recommendations.
As an IT security manager juggling the daily responsibilities up and down the chain of command, XDR helps minimise this juggling act.
Overcoming skills gaps with MXDR
XDR alone is powerful. But when it’s managed by a trusted partner, it becomes a game-changer.
To complicate matters further, the constant evolution of cyber-attacks means that security teams need to also constantly evolve and sharpen up their defence capabilities - this means your staff could be constantly playing catch-up. Using AI and machine learning tools working in tandem can help close skills gaps and keep evolving threats at bay.
The ‘managed’ aspect of MXDR refers to an extended detection and response team brought in as a service. MXDR adds a 24/7 Security Operations Centre (SOC) to the mix—giving you access to experienced analysts, real-time monitoring, and rapid incident response, without the need to build or manage it all in-house.
Crucially, this eases the strain on your internal team, helps address skills shortages and allows you to focus on strategic priorities such as improving access controls, reviewing policies, or enabling training, without living in fear that something’s being missed.
Having these new data capabilities is also likely to boost buy-in from the C-suite, especially those who may be hesitant about investing in new security tools, but are aware of the risk to the firm’s reputation.
The Logical step forward
Partnering with a managed security provider takes the burden off you and your IT security team. It gives you clear visibility, faster resolution and fewer sleepless nights. No more juggling tools. No more missed alerts.
You no longer need to be pulled away from your regular responsibilities to play the role of full-time security analyst - a role you likely didn’t sign up for.
MXDR helps tip the balance of power away from threat actors and in your favour. Working with a digital managed service provider gives you the guidance and support to take the right steps and strengthen your security posture.
That means no more blind spots and no more playing catch-up.
