Cybersecurity buying research| Option | Work it is intended to cover | When it fits | Work to verify separately | Common buying mistake |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Security software, such as EDR | Technical collection, prevention and detection capabilities | Your team can configure, investigate and respond | Staffing, identity/cloud coverage, forensic support | Assuming automation means staffed ownership |
| MDR | Managed detection, investigation and agreed response | Your internal team needs operating coverage | Sources, permissions, remediation and recovery | Treating every incident task as included |
| Broader MSSP | A contracted selection of security operations | You need several managed security functions | Exact schedule and hand-offs for each function | Buying the category label instead of the scope |
| IT MSP with security services | IT operation plus specified security tasks | Consolidated delivery suits your environment | Separation of duties, security depth, escalation | Assuming all IT support is security response |
| vCISO/advisory | Program leadership, risk and governance work | No experienced owner coordinates priorities | Engineering hours and out-of-hours operations | Expecting advisory meetings to clear alerts |
| Penetration testing | Authorized assessment of scoped exposure | You need validated weaknesses and remediation evidence | Retest, implementation and continuous monitoring | Using a point-in-time test as permanent assurance |
| Incident-response retainer | Access to specified incident expertise | You need a defined route to surge support | Activation, guaranteed availability, hours, scope | Assuming a retainer includes every future cost |
| Recovery service/platform | Backup, restoration and resilience capabilities | Business continuity depends on recoverable systems | Application dependencies and operating sign-off | Treating backup success as recovery proof |
Illustrative source anchors: Microsoft's endpoint product, Arctic Wolf's MDR offering, Ntiva's IT services, Truvantis's vCISO service, NetSPI's testing services, Kroll's cyber services and Rubrik's recovery platform.
Working view: explore the first table
Option
Security software, such as EDR
- Work it is intended to cover
- Technical collection, prevention and detection capabilities
- When it fits
- Your team can configure, investigate and respond
- Work to verify separately
- Staffing, identity/cloud coverage, forensic support
- Common buying mistake
- Assuming automation means staffed ownership
Sources cited on this page
- Microsoft's endpoint product ↗microsoft.com
- Arctic Wolf's MDR offering ↗arcticwolf.com
- Ntiva's IT services ↗ntiva.com
- Truvantis's vCISO service ↗truvantis.com
- NetSPI's testing services ↗netspi.com
- Kroll's cyber services ↗kroll.com
- Rubrik's recovery platform ↗rubrik.com