Critical Start’s Managed Detection and Response (MDR) service is designed to provide 24x7x365 monitoring, human-driven threat investigation, and flexible deployment across IT and OT environments.

By leveraging deep technical expertise, robust API integrations, and contractual SLAs, they offer comprehensive protection against evolving cyber threats. Critical Start tackles attack vectors such as phishing, brute force attacks, and vulnerability exploitation by combining advanced threat detection & response, incident response, and proactive risk management.

These capabilities empower organizations to continuously map, monitor, and mitigate threats, vulnerabilities, and risks—enhancing security posture.

In this episode, Paulina Rios Maya of EM360Tech interviews Tim Bandos, Field CISO at Critical Start, about the skills needed for a SOC team and how an MDR provider helps organizations reduce risks and improve cybersecurity resilience.

Key Takeaways:

  • Implement comprehensive monitoring and deep visibility into endpoints to enhance SOC capabilities.
  • Critical Start’s MDR service offers 24x7x365 monitoring, threat intelligence, and endpoint protection.
  • Ensure SOCs receive expected signals by monitoring endpoint security gaps and log ingestion failures.
  • Leverage lessons from ongoing MDR operations by mapping telemetry to the MITRE ATT&CK® framework and deploying proactive mitigations to reduce long-term risk.

Chapters:

00:00 - Skills Needed for a SOC Team

05:05 - Deliverables of a Managed Detection and Response Service

07:21 - Common Entrance Vectors of Attack

10:37 - Proactive Defense Strategies

11:06 - Ensuring Expected Signals

12:31 - Endpoint Protection and Security Software

15:37 - Using Data and Lessons from MDR Operation