The 2025 Shift to Managed Detection: Why More SMBs Wanted Co-Managed SOC Support

With the advent of AI SMBs have seen a dramatic increase in cyber-attacks. According to the 2025 Verizon DBIR (Data Breach Investigations Report) SMBs are being targeted nearly four times more than larger organizations. Malicious actors are utilizing automation, AI and ML to create more sophisticated attacks with speed and scale that can run on autopilot, without needing any PTO or sleep. In 2024 automated activity, i.e. bots, made up over half of all internet traffic for the first time in history, according to the Imperva 2024 Bad Bot Report. It is estimated that 37% of all internet traffic is malicious bots. This is why SMBs need more help today than ever before.

What are SMBs doing to address this growing problem?

They are increasingly turning to managed detection and response services. Managed Detection and Response (MDR) is emerging as a smart solution to help you stay protected without building everything from scratch. This service acts like an outsourced security team that watches your systems 24/7, spots dangers early, and can jump in to fix them, especially at 3 am on a Sunday morning. In this article, we'll explain what MDR offers SMBs, its key benefits, and why it's worth considering based on the latest trends.

What is Managed Detection and Response? MDR is a ready-to-use cybersecurity service tailored for businesses that can't afford a full-time security operations center (SOC). It combines advanced tools, AI, and human experts to monitor your networks, devices, and data around the clock. Instead of just alerting you to problems, MDR providers can investigate suspicious activity, and respond to stop attacks before they cause major damage. These services can also include threat hunting to make sure vulnerabilities are recognized and addressed. The bottom line for SMBs is they are receiving enterprise-level protection delivered remotely. It's especially useful if your team handles basic IT but lacks deep security skills. MDR fills that gap by providing a "managed SOC" that works alongside your staff, making it a co-managed approach in many cases.

Key Benefits of MDR for SMBs

MDR delivers real value by addressing common SMB pain points like limited resources and rising threats. Here's a breakdown of the main advantages:

24/7 Monitoring and Threat Hunting

• Experts and AI scan your endpoints, cloud, email, and networks non-stop for signs of trouble.

• Attacks don't stick to business hours, this ensures constant vigilance without overworking your team.

Fast Detection and Response

• Tools detect threats in minutes, then analysts contain them by isolating devices or blocking attackers.

• Reduces "dwell time" (how long hackers lurk) from weeks to hours or less, preventing big losses like ransomware payouts.

Access to Top Experts

• You get skilled analysts without hiring them full-time, no need for a $100,000 salary and benefits per person.

• SMBs often lack in-house pros; MDR brings elite knowledge to investigate and remediate incidents.

Advanced Tools Included

• Bundles EDR, threat intelligence, and AI for spotting sophisticated attacks like credential theft.

• Saves money on purchasing separate software and hardware; and stays updated against new threats like AI-powered phishing.

Compliance and Reporting

• Provides logs, reports, and help meeting standards like HIPAA or PCI.

• Makes audits easier and can lower cyber insurance costs by showing proactive security.

Scalability and Cost Savings

• Pay monthly based on your size; scales as you grow without big upfront investments.

• Affordable for SMBs, often far cheaper than breach recovery, which can run $200,000+ per incident.

These perks make MDR a cost-effective way to boost resilience and focus on your core business, rather than constant firefighting. Additionally, it has the potential to dramatically improve staff work-life balance by reducing after-hours alerts and workloads. Many providers also offer add-ons like vulnerability scans or employee training to customize the service.

Tips for SMB Tech Leaders

If MDR sounds right for your business, start by assessing your current setup. Look for providers that specialize in SMBs and offer free trials or audits. Key questions to ask: How do they integrate with your existing tools? What is their average response time? Are there other potential costs regarding log gathering, data transfer and storage?

In 2025, with threats growing and evolving fast MDR isn't an option, it's a necessary strategic move to protect your business. By utilizing co-managed MDR, you can turn cybersecurity from a headache into an asset. Reach out to a trusted provider today and take control of your defenses.