When it comes to protecting your organization from cyber threats, the terms "active" and "passive" response are often misunderstood. Many assume these distinctions relate to how threats are analyzed or prioritized. In reality, they represent a commercial decision about who takes remediation action when a threat is identified: you, the customer, or your Managed Extended Detection and Response (MXDR) provider.
This blog will clarify the difference between active and passive threat responses and help you determine which approach best aligns with your organization's needs.
What Is Active Threat Response?
In an active response arrangement, the MXDR provider takes direct remediation action on your behalf. This means when a threat is identified, the provider’s team steps in to contain or neutralize it—often faster than you could on your own.
How Active Response Works
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Threat Detected
A suspicious event, such as unauthorized access, is flagged by the MXDR team. -
Immediate Action Taken
The provider isolates affected systems, terminates malicious processes, and implements measures to prevent further escalation. -
Customer Notification
You are informed of the action taken, ensuring transparency and awareness.
Key Benefits
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Speed
Active response reduces time-to-remediation, mitigating threats before they cause significant damage. -
Expertise
Leveraging the provider’s specialized team ensures threats are handled with precision and efficiency. -
Simplicity
Allows your internal team to stay focused on other priorities.
Example: If a ransomware attack is detected, the provider’s team can isolate the infected endpoint, stop the encryption process, and initiate recovery procedures without waiting for customer input.
What Is Passive Threat Response?
Passive response shifts the decision-making and remediation responsibility to you, the customer. In this model, the MXDR provider monitors for threats, gathers intelligence, and delivers detailed recommendations, but the choice to act—and the actual remediation—is left to your team.
How Passive Response Works
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Threat Detected
A potential security issue is flagged by the provider. -
Analysis and Guidance
The provider supplies actionable insights and recommendations for containment and remediation. -
Customer Action
Your team decides when and how to implement the suggested actions.
Key Benefits
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Control
You retain full authority over remediation decisions. -
Customization
Remediation actions can be tailored to align with internal processes. -
Strategic Insight
Provides a learning opportunity for your team to engage with and understand the threat landscape.
Example: If unusual login activity is identified, the MXDR provider may recommend resetting credentials and conducting an investigation. Your team can choose how to proceed based on internal policies.
Key Distinction: Who Takes Action?
The primary difference between active and passive response lies in who executes remediation actions:
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Active Response: The provider acts immediately, leveraging their expertise to contain threats quickly.
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Passive Response: The customer is given recommendations and decides how to proceed.
This distinction is not about how threats are analyzed or prioritized but about the commercial arrangement and operational preferences of your organization.
The Gradient Cyber Approach
At Gradient Cyber, we understand that every organization has unique operational needs, and that’s why we offer both active and passive response options as part of our Managed Extended Detection and Response (MXDR) services.
Active Response: We Take the Lead
When you choose active response, our team becomes an extension of yours, taking direct remediation actions to neutralize threats. This approach is ideal for organizations that value speed and want to minimize internal resource strain.
Passive Response: You Stay in Control
With passive response, we provide you with detailed threat intelligence and actionable recommendations, giving your team the ability to decide when and how to act. This is a great fit for organizations that prefer to maintain control over remediation processes.
Flexibility with Gradient Cyber
Whether you choose active or passive response, our focus remains the same: providing expert threat detection, actionable insights, and seamless support to protect your business. With Gradient Cyber, you’re empowered to choose the level of involvement that works best for your team.
Which Approach Is Right for You?
When deciding between active and passive response, consider:
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Internal Resources
Does your team have the capacity to handle remediation quickly and effectively? -
Risk Tolerance
Are you comfortable with the time delay that passive response may introduce? -
Operational Priorities
Would outsourcing remediation free up your team to focus on other strategic initiatives?
Want to learn more about how Gradient Cyber can support your organization?
Contact us to explore the benefits of our active and passive response services and find the best fit for your security needs.
