MxDR 24/7 Threat Monitoring and Response
Detect threats before they cause damage. Respond in real time. Protect your organization without building an in-house SOC.
What is MxDR and why is it different from traditional security services?
MXDR (Managed Extended Detection & Response) is a managed security service that combines advanced technology, artificial intelligence, and expert analysts to detect, investigate, and respond to cyber threats in real time, across all vectors: endpoints, network, identity, cloud, and applications.
Unlike a simple antivirus or firewall, MXDR does not just block known threats: it actively hunts hidden threats, correlates events from different sources, and takes direct action to contain attacks before they spread.
It is also often referred to as MDR service, SOC as a Service, Managed SOC, threat detection & response, 24/7 cybersecurity monitoring, or security operations center outsourcing: all names that describe the same fundamental need: active and continuous defense, without having to build and maintain an in-house SOC.
The problem: modern threats evade traditional controls
Today, cyberattacks do not set off loud alarms. They move slowly, silently, exploiting legitimate credentials, seemingly normal behavior, and misconfigured systems. By the time they are discovered, the damage has already been done.
The numbers confirm it:
- The average time to identify a data breach is 181 days, almost six months of invisible exposure (IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024)
- The global average cost of a data breach reached $4.88 million in 2024
- Ransomware affected 44% of breaches analyzed globally
- In Switzerland, the NCSC received over 30,000 incident reports in the first half of 2024 alone, almost double the previous year
"It is not a question of if you will be attacked. It is a question of when, and how quickly you will be able to respond."
The difference between a contained incident and a business crisis is measured in hours, not days.
The challenges companies face without an MxDR service
1. No centralized visibility into security events
Security events are scattered across endpoints, firewalls, cloud environments, servers, and applications. Without a platform that correlates them, it is impossible to distinguish a false positive from an actual attack in progress. The IT team sees fragments, not the full picture.
2. Attacks are discovered too late
Modern ransomware operates silently for weeks before activating. Lateral movement within the network, gradual data exfiltration, and credential compromise take place below the detection threshold of traditional tools. By the time the attack becomes visible, the containment window has already closed.
3. Lack of internal expertise and resources
Building an in-house SOC requires significant investment in people, technology, and processes. Security analysts are among the most difficult profiles to find on the market. The existing IT team — already under operational pressure — cannot handle threat hunting, incident analysis, and active response alongside day-to-day activities.
4. No coverage outside working hours
Most advanced attacks occur at night, on weekends, or during holidays, exactly when no one is watching. Without 24/7/365 monitoring, every unguarded hour is an open window for cybercriminals.
5. Response times are too slow
Manual incident handling, the absence of structured playbooks, and fragmented communication between teams extend the Mean Time To Respond (MTTR) to unacceptable levels. Every extra minute means more compromised systems, more exposed data, and higher recovery costs.
6. Disconnected and non-integrated security tools
Most organizations have accumulated a range of security solutions over time that do not communicate with each other: EDR on one system, firewall on another, scattered cloud logs. The result is operational complexity, ignored alerts, and blind spots across the infrastructure.
7. Increasing regulatory and compliance pressure
Swiss and international regulations such as nFADP, ISO 27001, and DORA for the financial sector require event traceability, structured logging, and a demonstrable ability to respond to incidents. Without adequate tools, every audit becomes a risk.
The VarGroup Suisse solution: MxDR as an extension of your security team
VarGroup Suisse delivers the MXDR service as an operational extension of your IT team, not as a black box. Our analysts understand your infrastructure, work with your tools, and step in when it truly matters.
Continuous 24/7/365 monitoring
Our Security Operations Center (SOC) monitors your infrastructure every hour of the day and night, every day of the year. No uncovered windows. No attack going unnoticed because it was Saturday evening.
Extended detection across all vectors
VarGroup Suisse’s MXDR covers the entire attack surface:
- Endpoints — workstations, servers, company laptops
- Identity — Active Directory, Azure AD, privileged access
- Network — internal and external traffic, lateral movement
- Cloud — Microsoft 365, Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud environments
- Email — detection of phishing, BEC (Business Email Compromise), and spear phishing
- Applications — SaaS and business-critical applications
Event correlation and threat intelligence
The SIEM/SOAR platform at the heart of the service automatically correlates thousands of events per second, eliminating false positives and bringing to the analysts’ attention only real threats, already prioritized by severity and impact. Real-time updated threat intelligence makes it possible to identify the latest attack techniques, including those that exploit generative artificial intelligence.
Proactive threat hunting
We do not wait for threats to emerge: our analysts actively hunt for hidden anomalies within the customer’s infrastructure, looking for signs of compromise that automated tools may fail to detect. Proactive threat hunting drastically reduces attackers’ dwell time inside the network.
Fast, coordinated incident response
When an incident is detected, we immediately activate incident response procedures:
- Automatic threat containment — endpoint isolation, compromised account blocking
- Immediate notification to the customer’s security contact
- Operational guidance step by step for the internal team
- Forensic analysis of the incident and identification of the root cause
- Post-incident report (RCA) with recommendations to prevent recurrence
Integration with existing tools
VarGroup Suisse’s MXDR service does not replace existing technologies: it integrates them. We work with leading security platforms — Microsoft Defender, Sentinel, CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, Palo Alto Networks, and others — maximizing the value of investments already made.
Reporting and compliance support
We provide periodic reports on detected events, managed incidents, security KPIs, and the status of regulatory compliance. The documentation is ready for internal audits, external reviewers, and regulatory requirements.
How the MxDR service works: the operational phases
1. Assessment and onboarding
Analysis of the existing infrastructure, mapping of critical assets, and configuration of integrations.
Together, we define alert thresholds, escalation procedures, and response playbooks.
2. Deployment and connection of log sources
Integration of the SIEM/SOAR platform with endpoints, identity systems, firewalls, cloud environments, and applications.
The onboarding phase is designed to be non-invasive and compatible with current operations.
3. Activation of 24/7 monitoring
VarGroup Suisse’s SOC begins continuous monitoring. Every event is collected, normalized,
correlated, and analyzed in real time.
4. Continuous threat hunting and fine-tuning
In the first few weeks, analysts carry out threat hunting sessions to identify
any pre-existing compromises. The detection engine is continuously optimized
to reduce false positives and improve alert accuracy.
5. Incident management
When a real threat is detected, the SOC team activates the appropriate playbook:
containment, notification, analysis, response, and recovery.
The customer receives real-time updates throughout the entire incident management process.
6. Reporting and periodic review
Monthly reports and quarterly reviews with the VarGroup Suisse team to analyze trends,
assess the evolution of risk, and update defense strategies.
The benefits for your organization
| Benefit | Concrete impact |
|---|---|
| Complete visibility | Correlation of all events across endpoints, network, cloud, and identity |
| Early detection | Reduction of attackers’ dwell time from months to hours |
| Immediate response | Active 24/7 containment, even outside working hours |
| Specialized expertise | Access to a certified SOC team without new hires |
| Reduced complexity | Unified platform that integrates existing tools |
| Regulatory compliance | Logging, traceability, and reporting ready for audits |
| Predictable costs | Fixed-fee service vs. investment in in-house SOC infrastructure |
Frequently asked questions about MxDR and SOC as a Service
What is MXDR, and how does it differ from classic MDR?
MDR (Managed Detection & Response) focuses mainly on endpoints.
MXDR extends coverage to identity, network, cloud, and applications,
providing complete visibility across the entire corporate attack surface.
MXDR is the answer to modern hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
What is SOC as a Service?
It is a Security Operations Center delivered as an external service,
including analysts, SIEM/SOAR platforms, and incident response processes.
It allows organizations to access enterprise SOC capabilities without building
and maintaining one internally.
How fast is the response to an incident?
Our SLAs provide notification and first-response times measured in
minutes, not hours. SOAR automation enables immediate containment
actions, such as isolating a compromised endpoint, even before a human analyst
completes the analysis.
Is the service also suitable for SMEs?
Yes. The MXDR as a Service model is designed to be
scalable and accessible even for mid-sized organizations
that do not have the resources to build an in-house SOC but face the same
threats as large enterprises.
What happens if an incident is detected over the weekend?
Monitoring is 24/7/365, without exceptions. VarGroup Suisse’s SOC is operational
at all times, including holidays. Critical incidents are handled immediately,
with notification to the customer’s contact according to the agreed procedures.
How does the service integrate with existing security tools?
The MXDR service is designed to integrate with existing technologies —
Microsoft Defender, Sentinel, CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, Palo Alto, and others.
There is no need to replace your tools: we enhance them with analysis,
correlation, and managed response.
Does the service support compliance with nFADP and ISO 27001?
Yes. The service includes structured logging, access traceability, and useful reporting
to demonstrate compliance with Swiss and international standards,
including nFADP, ISO 27001, and DORA.
How is data confidentiality managed?
Customer data is processed in compliance with Swiss data protection regulations.
We contractually define data residency, access rights, and confidentiality obligations
before the service begins.
Why choose VarGroup Suisse for MxDR?
VarGroup Suisse is a technology partner with certified cybersecurity expertise and an established presence in the Swiss market. Our approach to the MXDR service stands out for:
- Local presence: a team based in Switzerland, with knowledge of the regulatory context and the specific characteristics of the local market
- Consultative approach: we do not sell a standardized platform — we design the service around your infrastructure
- Integration with the VarGroup ecosystem: the MXDR service integrates natively with Security Awareness, Vulnerability Management, and other VarGroup Suisse security services
- Operational transparency: direct access to dashboards, clear reports, and periodic reviews with your team
- Multi-sector experience: SMEs, industrial companies, professional firms, and enterprise organizations in manufacturing, finance, and services
Start protecting your infrastructure today
Every day without active monitoring is a day in which an attack could silently progress. Do not wait for an incident to discover that you are not protected.
Contact the VarGroup Suisse team for a free assessment of your security posture and discover how the MXDR service can integrate into your infrastructure.
Request a free assessment!