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Strengthening the edge: The acceleration of MXDR, AI, and cybersecurity

June 18, 2024

For early Internet users, AI and cybersecurity weren’t even discussion topics. The only complication on many users’ radars was a tedious dial-up connection.

Three decades later, cybersecurity has become a critical part of being online. According to a February 2024 article in Security Week, the Microsoft Threat Intelligence team announced that cybercriminals were exploiting several vulnerabilities in Windows OS for social engineering, phishing, and malware attacks. It isn’t just your home computer either that is a target of criminals, spyware such as Pegasus can infect iPhones, and Android phones are at risk from malware called PhoneSpy.

Why defense in depth and next-gen firewalls matter

Morgan Stanley’s September 2023 wealth management report AI and Cybersecurity: A New Era stated that “cybercriminals are using AI to carry out a variety of sophisticated attacks, from data poisoning to deepfakes.” So, what’s the solution? If bad actors are always one step ahead, is it even possible to mitigate risk?

Defense in depth is a strategy to protect your valuable assets from attack, and it should be a feature of every organization’s cybersecurity program. This multilayer system of security measures is like the moats, gates, walls, and guard towers used to fortify ancient cities and castles.

Companies with one location or dozens of locations should build similar defense strategies that protect their crown jewels. Defense in depth is just as essential as rigorous patch management. 

Read more: Strengthen your IT security foundation with these patch management best practices

A modern approach to cybersecurity

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), cybercrime increased 400% during the COVID-19 pandemic. AI and cybersecurity risks need to be addressed by any organization that wants to defend against the onslaught of these new threats.

With an expanding security perimeter, organizations can no longer safely rely on older, less sophisticated security models. With criminals using more sophisticated AI, security teams need to ramp up their cybersecurity tools as well.

One new model that is gaining traction is the zero-trust networks (ZTN) design that constantly checks a user or program identity and verifies that it is legitimate. This approach features the principle of least privilege (PoLP), which only grants users access to the specific data, applications, or assets required to complete their work. Additionally, it requires validation for every access request regardless of the user’s location or device.

Zero trust is based on the concept that you assume you have been breached and that cybersecurity threats can come from within or outside the organization.

Because endpoint security based on a zero-trust design accommodates the needs of a work from anywhere workforce, organizations can confidently allow staff to securely work remotely. From a human resources perspective, hiring is potentially easier because more people can apply for open positions. This can allow more candidates to apply and allow companies the flexibility to retain workers. 

Learn more about improving enterprise security with zero-trust principles.

MXDR, generative AI, and cybersecurity

Generative AI (gen AI), tools that can generate new content like ChatGPT, are growing very rapidly. McKinsey research shows that gen AI has the potential to add $4.4 trillion to the global economy in the coming years. Unsurprisingly, cybercriminals are taking notice.

UK-based Sapio Research released a report in 2023 that found “75% of security professionals witnessed an increase in attacks over the past 12 months, with 85% attributing this rise to bad actors using generative AI.”

To ease the burden on in-house cybersecurity teams and improve retention rates, consider managed extended detection and response (MXDR). This solution combines a dedicated a trusted third party’s expertise with machine learning (ML), AI, to detect, monitor, investigate, and respond to threats quickly, 24×7, 365 days a year.

In addition to MXDR, there are several other endpoint security tools to help enhance your in-house security teams:  

  • Policy automation: Automate the response to threats that are detected based on the policies that your team has created.
  • Continuous authentication: The constant assessment of user device posture and user identity for signs of possible compromise.
  • Micro-segmentation: Structuring a network into separate zones, making it more difficult for potential attackers to move between zones.
  • Least-privilege access: Restrict users’ access to just the specific data, applications, or resources needed to perform their job or task.

Learn more: Navigating new frontiers in security: The rise of zero trust and AI endpoint tools

Important considerations for endpoint security

AI- and ML-enabled endpoint security tools are more advantageous than standard endpoint detection response (EDR) tools because they detect and adapt to threats more rapidly.

Powerful endpoint security tools should offer multi-layered protection that identifies and responds to known malware, unfamiliar threats, and ransomware attacks. Key features include:

  • User and entity behavior analytics (UEBA): Verifying authenticity is essential, but so is the constant detection of changes in user activity or entity activity.
  • Real-time threat detection: Discovering threats as they happen is essential.
  • Reliable vendor support: Consider the value potential vendors offer for the price and whether or not they have a partnership mindset that will complement your organization’s needs and business style.

OnX brings cybersecurity expertise to the table

MXDR is a step above customary managed detection and response (MDR) and endpoint detection and response (EDR). MXDR is a collection of robust services that monitor and track users, devices, assets, and MXDR safeguards against complex and assiduous threats. By joining forces with a trusted and experienced third party like OnX Canada, an organizations security team has the additional support and up-to-the-minute knowledge needed to protect against the latest threats from gen AI and cybersecurity criminals.

Benefits of OnX managed MXDR:

  • Cybersecurity expertise reinforcement: Experienced OnX professionals add another layer of security reinforcement to fortify your perimeter.
  • Continuous monitoring: We provide 24x7x365 support to minimize downtime and lessen the burden on your IT team.
  • Preemptive threat detection: Our MXDR solution seeks out potential threats before they can cause damage.
  • Driving operational efficiency: OnX streamlines your security functions to improve visibility, ease of use, and effectiveness.
  • Efficient threat response: The MXDR team responds to security incidents, limiting and controlling possible damage to the organization.

The value of MXDR is two-fold. It eases the burden on in-house cybersecurity teams and enhances overall security protections for the enterprise. By partnering with OnX, clients have access to the expertise and experience of our highly seasoned professionals to safeguard their digital assets. We can help you create a more resilient cybersecurity framework for your organization and outmaneuver cybercriminals as they devise and implement new threats.  

Get in touch with OnX today.

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