What Kind of Threats Does Managed XDR Detect and Respond To?

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.