The MDR market is becoming increasingly crowded, which can cause confusion and frustration for those looking to invest in their cybersecurity.

Analyst firms still play a crucial role in providing clarity about the market and establishing standards for security vendors overall. Their research provides vendor-neutral perspectives that can inform your top-level strategy. Sometimes, translating broad analyst guidance into concrete plans can be challenging.

Review sites and AI resources also crowd the landscape with advice, creating even more noise and challenges with decision-making.

Our MDR Buyer’s Guide aims to provide an actionable success blueprint for MDR that aligns with analyst-defined best practices.

This guide includes:

• What you should/shouldn’t look for with an MDR provider
• Must-haves vs nice to haves
• Simple one-page “MDR Buying Guide Checklist”

The post Managed Detection and Response MDR Buyer’s Guide appeared first on CyberMaxx.

Linthicum Heights, MD – June 3, 2025– CyberMaxx, a leading Managed Detection and Response (MDR) provider, has announced the release of a new eBook titled “Tales from the SOC: Security Success Stories Powered by Proactive Intelligence and Real-Time Response.”

This collection of true stories from CyberMaxx’s Security Operations Center (SOC) gives an in-depth insight into why human instincts and human-led response are still essential in a market driven by automation.

The Importance of Human-AI Balance

“Tales from the SOC” explores the power of CyberMaxx’s signature approach to cybersecurity, known as “Big R.” Unlike the industry-standard “little r” response model, which often ends at passive alerting, Big R focuses on the importance of ethical human judgment. This is essential when investigating, containing, and eradicating threats in real time before they can cause widespread damage.

Behind the Scenes of Frontline Security Stories

The eBook details several high-stakes incidents where CyberMaxx’s SOC team pushed beyond standardized procedures to protect clients from cyber threats. Each instance involved acting on early warning signs before they triggered formal alerts.

Highlights include:

• One IP address, two organizations saved: How investigating an IP address that repeatedly appeared uncovered a hidden threat that almost went unnoticed.
• A malicious inbox rule and 300+ shares: How rapid response and forensic investigation contained a fast-moving email threat before it could escalate further.
• A thumb drive and a criminal investigation: A suspicious device turned into a high-stakes criminal investigation, showing the critical role of human ethics in cybersecurity.

Why Big R Matters

“Tales from the SOC” explains why protecting your organization requires more than throwing money at automated tools and refreshing your business dashboard.

Sometimes, it involves letting an activity play out a little longer to build a clearer picture and better understand the threat. Above all else, it demands human expertise and creativity.

Discover how CyberMaxx stops attacks before alerts are even triggered. Download the full eBook here: Tales from the SOC eBook | CyberMaxx

About CyberMaxx

CyberMaxx provides comprehensive managed detection and response (MDR) services that protect organizations from today’s complex cyber threats. Focusing on proactive security measures, CyberMaxx delivers industry-leading technology combined with expert human oversight, offering robust protection and peace of mind to clients across various industries.

For more information about CyberMaxx’s Modern Managed Detection & Response (MDR), visit www.cybermaxx.com

Press Release on PR Web

Media Contact

John Pinkham
E: jpinkham@cybermaxx.com
M: 781-801-5352

The post CyberMaxx Highlights the Role of Human Judgment in New eBook, Tales from the SOC appeared first on CyberMaxx.

In a landscape where artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing cyber defense, understanding its true role is crucial. This guide aims to clarify how AI can be effectively integrated into cybersecurity strategies and debrief misconceptions that cloud its application.

At CyberMaxx, we define AI for Cyber Defense as:

AI for Cyber Defense is a strategic, data-driven approach that leverages artificial intelligence to enhance threat detection, response, and prevention. its primary aim is to bolster cybersecurity measures by leveraging AI to identify and neutralize threats, reduce response times, and improve overall security posture while ensuring human oversight remains central to the decision-making process.

This four-part series aims to provide organizations with a proper understanding of how to integrate AI effectively into their cybersecurity strategies, ensuring a robust defense against emerging threats.

What’s Included:

• An exploration of AI’s transformative role in modern cyber defense
• Insights into balancing AI with human expertise in threat detection and response
• Strategies for leveraging AI to enhance Managed Detection and Response (MDR) operations

The post AI for Cyber Defense: Committing to a Secure Digital Future appeared first on CyberMaxx.

Breaking through industry misconceptions and identifying emerging threats systematically​

We’ve published this guide to provide a clear understanding of what threat hunting is and what it isn’t. ​

The security vendor community often makes this confusing by using the term to describe things that aren’t truly threat hunting. ​

We, here at CybeMaxx define Threat Hunting as:​

Threat hunting is a proactive, human-led pursuit guided by threat intelligence that seeks to discover adversary activity, that has evaded existing security controls. Its goals are to reduce dwell time, minimize the negative impact on the business, of security incidents, reduce the attack surface, and improve overall security posture. ​

The goal of this guide is to help organizations cut through this noise and create a threat hunting function that is comprehensive, effective, and seamlessly integrated with an equally effective detection and response motion.​

What’s included:​

• The four definitive pillars of effective threat hunting​
• Insights into threat hunting, MDR and the Risk Reduction Flywheel​
• Anatomy of a successful threat hunt​

The post Threat Hunting eBook appeared first on CyberMaxx.

What is Penetration Testing?

Penetration testing is an assessment delivered by an ethical hacking service to “penetrate” your network or a specific system. Pen testers simulate real-world cyber attacks using tactics and tools adopted by today’s threat actors. Why? To find insights that boost your security program before an actual attack occurs.

One of these vital insights is system vulnerabilities. By doing cyber attack “mock trials,” you can see where you’re susceptible. For example, areas of the network that are most exploitable or security control weaknesses that need improvements.

Types of Penetration Testing

Cyber attacks can target your business from all directions using various tactics. Hence, you can deploy many types of pen test services for complete security analysis:

• (External) network testing: Finds vulnerabilities in your internet-facing assets like firewalls, servers, and routers. It lets you find exploits hackers could target from the outside.
• (Internal) network testing: Identifies attack paths and vulnerabilities within the network. For example, misconfigured admin controls could let employees access unauthorized, privileged information.
• Web application testing: Evaluates your web app configurations, integrations, and controls. It helps ensure app security and that a hacker can’t get unauthorized access through the host site.
• Wireless assessments: Tests wireless security settings for on-premise networks. It checks if hackers could establish connections to your internal environment.
• Mobile app testing: Simulates attacks on iPhone and Android applications. You use it to find vulnerabilities in the app’s encryption protocols, configurations, and access controls.
• Social engineering & spear phishing testing: Tests user awareness through email phishing campaigns. It targets a list of employees or individuals to see if they’ll comply with a spoofed email’s request.
• Configuration review: Assesses on-premise or cloud environments. It looks at the servers, network, access controls, and security settings to find vulnerabilities a hacker could exploit.

Importance of Penetration Testing

93% of company networks are susceptible to a breach by a cybercriminal. Unfortunately, without regular pen testing, these organizations don’t know where an actual attack will come from or how.

Penetration testing lets you protect against cyber threats by pinpointing your weaknesses. Taking insights gathered from your pen test, you can:

• Fill in known security gaps with new controls
• Prioritize remediation efforts based on where you’re most vulnerable
• Find security flaws to make adjustments or add failsafe controls
• Remediate any system misconfigurations

Pen testing is proactive by nature. It lets you improve security before falling victim to an attack.

Penetration Testing Process

For the best results, pen-testing engagements emulate real-world attack scenarios. They often follow a structured process, with certain steps typically used by a cybercriminal:

• Planning: You and the pen testers create a plan of action, set goals, and establish the rules of engagement. Doing so ensures a smoother testing campaign that meets your security objectives.
• Reconnaissance: Pen testers get intelligence on your users, network, or target system. This data helps them pinpoint weaknesses they can exploit to gain access.
• Scanning: Pen testers use vulnerability scanning or network mapping tools to get visibility on the target system. They typically look for any points of entry they can use to carry out an attack later on.
• Exploitation: Pen testers try to access the target system using vulnerabilities found during the prior stages. The purpose is to confirm these vulnerabilities, attack and penetrate the system, and then escalate privileges for more elevated data access.
• Reporting: Pen testers share insights gathered during the testing process. This information gives recommendations and a roadmap to improve your security posture based on your most significant vulnerabilities.

Best Practices in Penetration Testing

While vital for security, penetration testing is often a costly process that is invasive on your IT stack. To maximize your experience and get the best possible insights, follow these useful tips:

Clearly Define Your Objectives

Before the engagement. Ask yourself, “What do we want to get out of this?” Is it for vulnerability management? To test current security controls? Check a box for compliance requirements? Or perhaps all of the above?

Ensure Proper Documentation

Maintain accurate records of your cybersecurity program and pen test results. This information keeps you in compliance with many guidelines and regulatory requirements. It also gives you a performance baseline to build on for future assessments.

Work Exclusively with Certified Professionals

Pen testing is a complex, rigorous process. You’re literally authorizing someone to hack your critical data systems, so don’t take shortcuts when engaging with providers. Look for robust experience in pen testing and team certifications such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), or Certified Penetration Testing Engineer (CPTE).

Prioritize the Most Critical Vulnerabilities

With budgetary restrictions and only so much time in a day, it’s simply not practical to address every security flaw identified in the test results. Start with the most exploitable and the ones that could severely impact your business.

Challenges and Limitations

Bear in mind that penetration testing isn’t always foolproof. False positives, for example, show a vulnerability that doesn’t actually exist in the network. Alternatively, testing tools may generate false negatives — a vulnerability that does exist but wasn’t detected.

Much of the false flags occur because of pen test limitations. Regarding scope, you’re typically simulating attacks on specific areas of the network. If you, for example, only do social engineering & spear phishing tests, you’ll miss critical vulnerabilities in other areas, such as the network’s perimeter or within a web application.

You’re also limited in time. Pen testing generally only takes place over a few days or weeks. What about the vulnerabilities that pop up after that time frame?

Regulatory Compliance

Depending on your industry or the types of data managed, penetration testing lets you comply with various regulatory security requirements like:

• Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS): For credit card information
• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): For personal data of European Union citizens
• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA): For the private data of California residents
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): For medical records and personal health information (PHI)
• North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection (NERC CIP): For securing the North American electric grid
• Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC): For contractors to protect sensitive government defense information

Pen testing is also required to get the “stamp of approval” for professional certifications like ISO 27001.

Penetration Testing: The Crucial Step Toward Enterprise Security Success

Penetration testing lets you answer the key question, “How would we withstand a real-world cyber-attack?” Through attack simulations by a professional, you can pinpoint your network weaknesses while evaluating security control effectiveness.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Penetration Testing: Everything You Need to Know appeared first on CyberMaxx.

Dave Gruber’s report, “How Offensive Security Strengthens Security Posture and Reduces Defensive Costs,” outlines how organizations can reduce cybersecurity risks. It emphasizes investing in proactive security strategies incorporating offensive and defensive security mechanisms and services.

This article outlines how organizations can use offensive strategies to enhance security measures and minimize defensive expenditures. Download the full report below.

The Growing Need for Robust Cybersecurity

Our widespread use of technology has many benefits: it boosts productivity, enhances collaboration, and promotes effective communication between workers worldwide. It can also help organizations safeguard sensitive information by ensuring it is only accessible to authorized users.

However, this increased use of technology comes with several challenges. A lack of budget or adequately trained staff can quickly prevent organizations from developing and implementing effective cybersecurity strategies. This leaves them vulnerable to potential attacks, often resulting in significant financial and reputational damages.

(Figure 1. MDR Use Cases for Enterprise and Midmarket Organizations)

The Shift Towards Proactive Security Strategies

Many organizations rely solely on traditional defensive cybersecurity strategies to remain secure. These strategies focus on creating and maintaining resilient systems that detect and respond to threats as they arise. It typically involves installing firewalls, encryption protocols, and incident response plans.

However, this methodology has its flaws. As threats increase, teams are becoming overwhelmed and exhausted from trying to detect and respond to incidents promptly. As a result, many vulnerabilities end up slipping through the net.

Adopting a proactive cybersecurity approach is crucial to minimize the likelihood of these incidents. This involves implementing offensive security measures that seek out weaknesses before cybercriminals can exploit them and cause harm.

Finding the time and resources required to develop an offensive security strategy can be challenging for small organizations. Help is available: Managed Detection and Response (MDR) providers like CyberMaxx help small organizations transition from defensive to offensive security.

The Benefits of Offensive Security

Offensive security provides more robust protection than a defensive strategy alone. Some of the key components of an offensive strategy include:

Penetration testing is a strategy where an expert attempts to identify vulnerabilities in an organization’s computer system. They achieve this by simulating cyber attacks to exploit these vulnerabilities. This helps to find weak points that attackers could take advantage of and allows organizations to fix them before they cause damage.

Purple teaming, a combination of red teaming (offensive security professionals) and blue teaming (defensive security professionals), helps identify and assess security risks. This collaborative approach brings together the benefits of both approaches to improve the organization’s overall security posture.

Threat hunting involves proactively searching for vulnerabilities within the organization’s system and providing information about which threats are targeting the system.

Together, these strategies help to reduce risks and lower the organization’s defensive operating costs.

(Figure 2. Additional Security Activities Organizations Ask MDRs to Perform)

Combining Offensive and Defensive Strategies

For optimal security outcomes, organizations can combine offensive and defensive strategies. This integrated approach promotes a continuous process of risk identification and remediation. As a result, it reduces the chances of falling victim to a cyber attack.

Many larger organizations have the resources to carry out this strategy. However, smaller organizations with limited time and fewer resources typically struggle to leverage both strategies effectively.

Managed Detection and Response (MDR) providers can help small organizations outsource offensive and defensive strategies. A team of qualified experts specially trained to integrate security tools and deliver effective insights handle these strategies.

CyberMaxx’s Managed Detection and Response (MDR) Experts Are Here to Help

Adopting an integrated security approach helps organizations stay ahead of bad actors. This approach involves incorporating offensive security strategies and continuously finding new ways to breach defenses.

Vendors like CyberMaxx offer a Managed Detection and Response (MDR) solution. This solution helps small organizations develop an offensive security strategy by outsourcing to a team of qualified professionals.

Download the full report below.

The post Enhancing Security Measures through Offensive Strategies: Minimizing Defensive Expenditures appeared first on CyberMaxx.

Healthcare cyberattacks are becoming more common. In Q1 2023, the healthcare sector experienced an average of 1,684 attacks per week, according to Check Point Research. This data represents a year-on-year increase of 22%.

These attacks are also becoming more expensive. According to IBM’s X-Force Threat Intelligence Report, the average costs of a studied breach in healthcare reached nearly $11 million in 2023.

There’s a good reason why healthcare is one of the biggest targets for bad actors. Confidential patient information and medical records are worth a lot of money, and attackers know they can use this as leverage to increase the pressure on organizations to pay the ransom.

As healthcare cybersecurity professionals, we must maximize our security posture while minimizing disruptions to ensure patients don’t suffer the ramifications of healthcare IT vulnerabilities.

CyberMaxx investigated the current state of healthcare cybersecurity to uncover the most cutting-edge medical innovations and cybersecurity threats so you can be prepared to triage risks as effectively as possible.

The post White Paper: The State of Cybersecurity in Healthcare appeared first on CyberMaxx.

With an increase of 470% in recent years, ransomware attacks are more prevalent than ever and are showing no sign of slowing down.

That’s where a managed detection and response (MDR) provider can come to the rescue. MDR, or Managed Detection Response, is a managed cybersecurity service that combines intrusion prevention and detection, event log monitoring, and endpoint monitoring, all of which allow for efficient and effective response service and remediation.

There are a lot of MDR providers in the marketplace and they each bring their own professional expertise in different forms. Knowing what to look for when evaluating the capabilities of a managed security services provider in order to make sure that your needs are met and your organization is protected is no simple task and at times can seem daunting.

Our whitepaper: “The Evolution of Threat Detection & Response”, will help you understand the evolution of the detection and response space and the challenges and differentiators facing MDR service providers.

Free Trial

Are you interested in a free proof of concept of our managed detection and response services? No, really, it’s free, it’s your data in our platform, so you can see in real-time how CyberMaxx works.

The post White Paper: The Evolution of Threat Detection & Response appeared first on CyberMaxx.