EDR vs MDR: Key Differences Explained

Muhammed Rashid
December 19, 2025
MDR

Cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated. SMBs and mid-market organizations are facing a critical question: Is our endpoint security enough, or do we need managed protection?

Many teams start with Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools. They soon realize that setting up alerts alone won’t stop threats. That’s where Managed Detection and Response (MDR) comes in. It combines technology, skill, and 24/7 monitoring. A Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) can take care of Detection and Response for you.

IT leaders must understand the differences between EDR and MDR. This knowledge is essential for evaluating their security strategy, budget, and resource capacity. Both aim to reduce breach impact. They operate differently in terms of coverage. Their response and total cost of ownership also vary.

For SMBs without large enough in-house security teams, this decision can make a big difference. It can decide whether a threat becomes a small incident or a business-crippling breach. This guide will break down the key differences, benefits, and use cases of EDR and MDR. It will help you choose the right security approach for your organization.

What Is EDR?

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) is a security tool that monitors endpoints—like laptops, servers, workstations, cloud workloads—for suspicious activity. It collects data, analyzes behavior, detects anomalies, and generates alerts for investigation.

Key Capabilities of EDR:

Endpoint Visibility and Telemetry

Threat Detection Based on Behavior and Signatures

Automated Alerting

Basic Threat Containment (e.g., Isolating Endpoints)

Forensic Logs and Reporting

Ideal For:

Organizations that have:

A Dedicated IT or Security Team

Resources to Investigate Alerts

Ability to Respond to Incidents Manually

The Challenge:

EDR does not resolve threats but alerts someone to do so. These members of IT or security teams must:

Watch Alerts

Analyze Incidents

Take Response Actions

According to IBM, a breach takes 204 days on average to discover. This poses a major risk that organizations face if alerts go unhandled.

What Is MDR?

Managed Detection and Response (MDR) is a security service that is fully managed. It combines EDR technology with human skill. This service is offered by Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs). MDR providers deliver 24/7 monitoring, investigation, and incident response, acting like an outsourced security operations team.

Key Capabilities of MDR:

24/7 SOC Monitoring

Threat Hunting and Investigation

Real-time Response and Remediation

Expert Analysts and Security Engineers

Faster Threat Detection and Reduced Dwell Time

Ideal For:

Organizations that:

Lack In-house Security Skill

Need Round-the-clock Monitoring and Coverage

Function In Regulated Industries (Finance, Healthcare, Government)

Want Predictable Security Costs

This is where services like EnCyb’s SOC as a Service, enDetect, can offer comprehensive support. They help from detection to containment. They also handle incident response.

EDR vs MDR: Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	EDR	MDR
Technology	Tool-based	Tool + Human Expertise
Monitoring	During business hours as it’s handled internal staff	24/7 throughout the year as it’s handled by the MSSP
Response	Handled internally	Handled by MSSP
Threat Hunting	Limited	Proactive & Continuous
Cost	Lower Upfront Costs	Predictable Security Costs, Subscription-based
Skill Requirements	High	Low
Best For	IT Teams with In-house Security Staff	SMBs without In-house Security Teams

When Does EDR Fall Short?

Many SMBs deploy EDR but face:

Alert Fatigue
Thousands of alerts without anyone or too few people to analyze them.

Limited In-House Expertise
EDR tools require cybersecurity skills and the necessary headcount that many SMBs simply don’t have.

Slow Incident Response
Delays increase damage and downtime.

Compliance Gaps
Frameworks like ISO 27001 and GDPR require proactive security measures, not just alerting.
This is often the tipping point toward MDR adoption.

Where MDR Can Deliver the Most Value?

You Need 24/7 Threat Coverage
Cyberattacks don’t wait for office hours.

You Can’t Staff a SOC
Hiring analysts, tools, and platforms is costly and time-consuming.

You Need Faster Response
MDR reduces dwell time, subsequently limiting damage.

You Need Regulatory Compliance
Regulated industries like BFSI, healthcare, and government require continuous monitoring and reporting.

You Operate in a Cloud or Hybrid Environment
Modern MDR supports cloud workloads, remote endpoints, and SaaS applications.

How EnCyb Can Help

EnCyb supports organizations across the UAE with a fully managed security approach:

SOC as a Service (i.e. Managed MDR), enDetect
24/7 monitoring, threat hunting, and real-time incident response for endpoints, cloud, and network environments.

Incident Response Retainer
Rapid containment and remediation support during high-severity incidents.

Cloud Management Platform, enCloud
Enhanced visibility and security across multi-cloud environments—ideal for distributed endpoints and remote teams.

With EnCyb, you get both technology and expertise, all without incurring the costs of hiring a full internal SOC team.

EDR vs MDR — Which Should You Choose?

Choose EDR if:

You have highly skilled security staff

You have enough resources (staff) to monitor and respond to all alerts

You want granular control over investigations

Choose MDR if:

You lack internal cybersecurity expertise

You need 24/7 coverage

You want faster response and reduced risk

You require compliance reporting

For most SMBs and mid-market organizations, MDR delivers stronger protection with a lower operational burden.

Conclusion

Choosing between EDR and MDR isn’t just a technology-based decision; it’s a business risk-based decision. EDR gives visibility, but MDR provides action as well. As cyber threats accelerate and skill gaps widen, SMBs increasingly need managed expertise to stay protected, compliant, and cyber resilient.

For organizations without dedicated security teams, MDR delivers the fastest path to stronger defense. It reduces dwell time, minimizes impact, and improves incident readiness. Additionally, with EnCyb’s managed security services, businesses gain enterprise-grade protection. They avoid the cost and complexity of building a full SOC in-house.