When it comes to protecting your business from cybersecurity threats, knowing exactly what you’re protected against is crucial. Organizations across industries often ask us: "What kind of threats does Gradient Cyber’s Managed Extended Detection and Response (MXDR) service detect and respond to?"
The short answer: quite a lot. Our MXDR solution leverages available signals from leading EDR products, networks, user behavior, and both business and in-house cloud applications. This blog will break it down into manageable categories, highlighting the types of threats we monitor, detect, and respond to, and why it matters for your organization.
Note: The outlined threat signals in this article include only a small subset of the range of various telemetry that our MXDR solution can identify, analyze and remediate. For a full analysis of threats your environment may be exposed to, contact us for a discovery call.
Threats Detected and Addressed by MXDR
1. Endpoint Threats
Endpoints are prime targets for cybercriminals, whether it's a laptop, server, or mobile device. Our MXDR service continuously monitors endpoint activity for threats, leveraging advanced analytics to detect anomalies and malicious behavior.
- Malware and Ransomware
Detects known and emerging malware, including ransomware before it encrypts critical data - Suspicious Behavior
Flags unusual processes or execution patterns - Fileless Attacks
Identifies memory-based attacks that don’t leave traditional malware traces - Credential Misuse
Alerts on attempts to exploit stolen or compromised credentials - Zero-Day Exploits
Proactively identifies and mitigates vulnerabilities being exploited before patches are available
Why It Matters
Most breaches begin at the endpoint. Early detection here prevents lateral movement into critical systems.
2. Network Threats
Your network is the backbone of your organization, and monitoring traffic across all vectors—north-south and east-west—is critical for spotting threats before they spread.
- Unusual Traffic Patterns and Anomalies
Detects data exfiltration or suspicious spikes in activity - Reconnaissance Activity
Identifies probing or scanning attempts to map vulnerabilities - Lateral Movement
Spots attackers attempting to move between systems to access sensitive data - Malware Communications
Detects communication with command-and-control servers - Protocol/Application Misuse
Flags anomalies in how applications or protocols are being used
Why It Matters
Attackers often hide in legitimate-looking network traffic. Our MXDR service continuously analyzes this activity for early-stage threats.
3. User Behavior Threats
Insider threats, whether malicious or unintentional, are among the hardest to detect. MXDR continuously monitors user behavior to spot patterns that deviate from the norm.
- Anomalous Access Patterns
Flags users accessing systems they typically don’t - Excessive or Unusual Data Access/Transfer
Detects large or unusual downloads that might indicate data theft - Multiple Failed Login Attempts
Identifies brute force or credential-stuffing attempts - Simultaneous Logins from Diverse Locations
Detects potential compromised accounts - Role and Permission Changes
Monitors changes that could create unauthorized access paths
Why It Matters
User-based anomalies are a leading cause of data breaches. Real-time detection mitigates these risks.
4. Business Cloud Application Threats
As most organizations use platforms like Office 365 or Google Workspace, protecting these environments is critical. Our MXDR service ensures these tools are monitored for advanced threat activity.
- Unauthorized Access or Logins
Flags suspicious logins from unexpected locations - Data Leakage or Exfiltration
Monitors for sensitive data leaving the organization - Suspicious or Malicious Activities
Identifies potential misuse of cloud services - Misconfigurations and Compliance Violations
Proactively identifies security gaps that could lead to breaches - Compromised or Shared Accounts
Detects and responds to account compromise
Why It Matters
Cloud applications are a key target for attackers. Protecting these environments ensures business continuity and data security.
5. In-House Cloud Application Threats
Many organizations rely on cloud-hosted applications to run their business. These applications need robust monitoring to prevent threats and ensure compliance.
- Misconfigurations
Identifies and remediates security gaps - Unauthorized or Anomalous Access
Monitors access patterns to detect potential breaches - Resource & Service Anomalies
Detects unusual usage patterns in cloud resources - Data Leakage or Exfiltration
Helps ensure sensitive data stays protected - Non-Compliance with Security Policies
Monitors for activity that violates established policies
Why It Matters
Custom applications often lack the robust security features of commercial solutions. Gradient Cyber fills that gap with advanced monitoring and detection.
How Gradient Cyber Stands Out
At Gradient Cyber, our Managed XDR service doesn’t just detect threats—it responds to them. With hundreds of machine-driven and human-led analytics, we offer unmatched coverage across endpoints, networks, cloud applications, and user behavior.
The Gradient Cyber Advantage
- Active vs. Passive Response
We adapt to your preferences. Choose between active remediation (we take action) or passive response (you decide when and how to act) - Tech-Agnostic
Our MXDR integrates seamlessly with your existing tools - Near Real-Time Insights
Decisions are made quickly to minimize risk, blending technology and human expertise
Final Thoughts
Cyber threats are constantly targeting every layer of your business from endpoints to cloud applications. Gradient Cyber’s MXDR service provides comprehensive protection, ensuring threats are detected and responded to before they cause damage.
Want to learn more about how MXDR can secure your organization?
Request a Demo today and discover the power of proactive threat detection and response.
