Beyond SIEM: How MXDR is Transforming NIST CSF 2.0 Compliance

Key Takeaways From Research Piece:

1. MXDR implementation can significantly boost NIST CSF 2.0 scores across all categories.
2. MXDR solutions reduce operational costs significantly, making the capability set one of the most appealing and easy to adopt areas in the cybersecurity solutions marketplace.
3. Automated threat detection and response capabilities in MXDR minimize false positives and improve incident response times in a very meaningful way compared to SIEM based solutions.
4. MXDR's proactive approach aligns perfectly with NIST CSF 2.0's adaptive security model.

Introduction

In an era where cyber threats evolve at breakneck speed, organizations are scrambling to fortify their digital defences. Enter Managed Extended Detection and Response (MXDR) – a holistic approach that's reshaping the cybersecurity landscape.

Think of MXDR as your organization's immune system. It doesn't just react to threats; it actively seeks them out, learns from each encounter, and becomes stronger over time.

But how does MXDR stack up against industry standards, particularly the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0? A recent research piece by one of our risk advisory partners sheds light on this critical question.

Why NIST is Important

The NIST CSF has become the gold standard for organizations seeking to bolster their cybersecurity posture. Its comprehensive approach, covering core functions – Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover and Govern– provides a robust framework for managing and reducing cybersecurity risk. As threats become more sophisticated, aligning with NIST CSF 2.0 is not just a compliance checkbox; it's a business imperative.

Key NIST Pillars Positively Impacted by MXDR Capabilities

Identify (ID): Potential score uplift ranging from 1.5+ to 2.5+

Analysis: MXDR significantly enhances an organization's ability to identify and manage cybersecurity risks. The most substantial improvement is seen in Asset Management (ID.AM), with a 2.5+ uplift. This is achieved through automated device detection, real-time inventory management, and continuous network monitoring. Risk Assessment (ID.RA) sees a 2.0+ uplift, primarily due to the integration of Threat Intelligence Platforms. The Improvement (ID.IM) category benefits from automated penetration testing, deception technology, and proactive threat hunting, resulting in a 1.5+ uplift. This capability is crucial for organizations that struggle with maintaining an accurate inventory of their assets and identifying potential vulnerabilities – effectively strengthening an organization's foundational understanding of its cybersecurity landscape.?

Protect (PR): MXDR's impact: Potential score uplift ranging from 0.8+ to 1.2+

Analysis: While the uplift in the Protect function is more modest, it's still significant. Identity, Authentication, and Access Control (PR.AA) see a 1.0+ improvement through enhanced identity protection and behavioral analytics. Platform Security (PR.PS) benefits from multilayered endpoint protection and advanced SIEM integration, leading to a 1.2+ uplift. Technical Infrastructure Resilience (PR.IR) gains a 0.8+ boost from behavioral analytics and protection. The integration of advanced protections such as behavioral analytics ensures that any deviations from the norm are detected early, reducing the likelihood of a breach.?

Detect (DE): MXDR's impact: Potential score uplift of 2.4+ to 2.7+

Analysis: The Detect function sees substantial improvements with MXDR implementation. Continuous Monitoring (DE.CM) experiences a 2.4+ uplift through 24/7 monitoring, proactive threat hunting, and deception technologies. Adverse Event Analysis (DE.AE) shows the highest improvement in this category with a 2.7+ uplift, leveraging advanced SIEM capabilities, machine learning, and artificial intelligence for enhanced threat detection and false positive reduction.

For organizations overwhelmed by the volume of alerts, MXDR’s ability to filter out noise and focus on genuine threats is a game-changer. This leads to more efficient use of security resources and enhances the organization's overall threat detection capabilities.

Respond (RS): MXDR's impact: Potential score uplift of 2.6+ to 2.9+

Analysis: The Respond function sees the most dramatic improvements with MXDR implementation. Incident Management (RS.MA) gains a 2.6+ uplift through 24/7 monitoring and comprehensive incident response capabilities. Incident Analysis (RS.AN) shows the highest overall improvement with a 2.9+ uplift, benefiting from advanced forensic investigation and cloud security analytics. Incident Mitigation (RS.MI) sees a 2.8+ boost, thanks to automated threat containment and remediation features. The rapid response capabilities of MXDR ensure that incidents are contained and resolved before they can escalate. This minimizes downtime and data loss, which is critical for maintaining business continuity and meeting regulatory requirements.

Future Outlook

As we look to the future, MXDR is set to become not just a best practice, but a necessity. Those who adopt early will find themselves ahead of the curve in an increasingly complex threat landscape.

The implementation of MXDR represents a paradigm shift in cybersecurity strategy, offering a proactive and comprehensive approach to threat detection and response.

Food For Thought

• Legacy SIEM-Based SOC: Imagine a watchdog that barks when it sees something unusual. This watchdog needs to look at lots of different places to find the bad guys and sometimes misses things because it's only looking at specific spots.
• MXDR Vendor: Now, think of a super-smart robot watchdog. This robot can see everything around it all the time and can tell if something is bad right away. It also knows how to handle the bad guys on its own without waiting for someone to help it.

Interested In The Research Piece?

While this analysis doesn't advocate for abandoning SIEM solutions entirely, it underscores the limitations of relying primarily on SIEM for monitoring, threat detection, and response in today's complex threat landscape.

For companies still relying on legacy SIEM-based SOC capabilities or those with limited monitoring and response mechanisms, the transition to MXDR is not just an upgrade – it's a strategic imperative.

If you'd like to read the full research piece and learn more about how MXDR can impact your NIST CSF ratings, please contact us via [email protected] to receive a copy.