The rising threats and tightening regulations have become a common concern among Australian organizations that are aiming to go digital at full speed to leverage their benefits for their business and create new customer experiences. However, going solo in cybersecurity can present more challenges than benefits. Let us explore why Australian organizations need Managed Detection and Response service, along with a closer look at the top MDR providers in Australia.

What is MDR?

Managed Detection and Response is a 24/7 cybersecurity service that combines cybersecurity technology with human expertise to offer proactive detection and response to threats.

It is a service delivered by a cybersecurity company in which a team dedicatedly performs security actions based on the analysis of security data from multiple security solutions.

For most organizations, especially SMBs, it can be challenging and highly expensive to set up their own Security Operations Center, ensuring and retaining the right people and technology needed.

Why do you need MDR?

Managed Detection and Response service offers an affordable way through which organizations of any size can manage risks, prevent, and detect & respond to threats. What makes it an attractive service for small and medium-sized businesses is that it offers customization options and is much easier to set up as opposed to ensuring the technology and hiring & retaining a team of cybersecurity experts.

Key features to expect from an MDR service

The MDR service provides a convenient and effective way for organizations to secure their infrastructure in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

It offers them the freedom to customize the service as per their organization’s specific cybersecurity needs.

Before choosing a service, it is critical to determine the cybersecurity and compliance goals and answer questions like: “What are your compliance requirements?” “What are the existing security tools and systems?” “Does it offer scalability in the long term to accommodate growth in size?”

Here are some of the features to expect in the MDR service:

24/7 monitoring

Cyber threats could strike anytime. MDR service offers round-the-clock security to organizations with human expertise and support to timely identify & address risks and detect & respond to threats.

Threat hunting

MDR service offers a team of threat hunters who keep monitoring the internal and external surfaces for threats. They help integrate threat intelligence, including IoCs(Indicators of Compromise) and IoAs (Indicators of Attack), helping organizations keep up with the evolving threat landscape.

Threat detection and intelligence integration

It helps organizations turbocharge the accuracy of detection and quickness to respond to threats with AI/ML and threat intelligence integration. Organizations can proactively predict risks and threats before they cause damage.

Customization

With an MDR service, an organization can choose to get service customized as per specifics like their organization size, technological setup, workflows, security setup, and endpoints.

On-demand access to cybersecurity experts

Organizations can get a team of cybersecurity experts with subject matter expertise in multiple aspects of security, from threat hunters to incident responders.

Scalability

Organizations can address the challenge of technological sprawl that arises as they grow in size or as their cybersecurity and compliance needs grow.

Top MDR Service providers in Australia

1. SharkStriker

Best Advanced MDR Service Provider in Australia

Overview

SharkStriker is a global cybersecurity company that offers holistic, human-led, tech-driven managed security services. With SOCs across 30+ countries, it helps global organizations address their cybersecurity challenges with a blend of human expertise and technology.

SharkStriker’s MDR service offers organizations the people, process, and technological expertise to address cybersecurity challenges like a widening skills gap, limited visibility, and rising compliance risks while helping gain ROI from existing cybersecurity investments.

It adds compliance to the Monitoring, Detection, Investigation, and Response processes of MDR service, helping organizations not just to keep up with evolving threats but also the changing compliance landscape. They offer dedicated expertise to adhere to and improve compliance with regulations like Australia’s Essential Eight, IRAP, Australian Privacy Principles, and Australian Government Information Security Manual (ISM).

The service is delivered by a team of round-the-clock experts with dual expertise in cybersecurity and compliance through a purpose-built compliance-centric security platform that unifies security, extends visibility, and centralizes control.

Organizations that have used SharkStriker MDR have observed faster MTTR, enhanced savings in data retention costs, and improved data security.

Features of SharkStriker MDR

EDR/XDR/NDR 

With EDR, XDR, and NDR, SharkStriker MDR services offer round-the-clock protection of infrastructure, including endpoints, network, and cloud.

Full-Cycle Incident Response

Through the service, organizations can get 24/7 support for incident response for the complete cycle of the incident, from containment to recovery.

Host-Based Vulnerability Assessment

Organizations can proactively identify and address risks across and get detailed information on all the vulnerable hosts with this service. 

Network Vulnerability Assessment (Internal & External)

Their team of network security experts proactively takes action based on continuous scanning and vulnerability assessment of the network for internal and external risks. 

Annual Network Penetration Testing

With this service, organizations can get an annual in-depth assessment of the network for cyber risks using real-world techniques, such as pentesting. 

Security Audit of Controls (EDR, EPP, Cloud)

SharkStriker’s team of security and compliance experts audits security controls, ensuring that they are in line with the regulations and are effective in keeping the endpoints and the rest of the infrastructure secure from cyber threats.

Security Advisory & Posture Review

With this service, organizations can get security advisories and get their posture reviewed for risks to proactively secure their infrastructure against emerging cyber threats. 

Multi-Sourced Threat Intelligence

Organizations can benefit from multi-sourced threat intelligence from reputed sources and get their defenses tuned as per frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK and DEF3ND. 

Third-Party Tool Integration

The service helps organizations seamlessly integrate their third-party security tools across multiple vendors over a purpose-built security platform for centralized visibility and control. 

Weekly & Monthly Security Reports

They offer weekly and monthly reports based on a comprehensive assessment of security posture. 

Regional data centers  

Organizations get latency-optimized services delivered via locally hosted data centers that are compliant with regulations like IRAP, APP, E8, and ISM.

Strengths of SharkStriker MDR

• Offers dual expertise in cybersecurity and compliance with regulations like Essential Eight, IRAP, Australian Privacy Principles, and Australian Government Information Security Manual (ISM)
• Extends visibility, decentralizes cybersecurity control, and offers real-time insights
• Offers customizable reports
• Purpose-built security platform, STRIEGO, with a vendor-agnostic layer
• Specialized in proactive risk management and threat hunting
• Integrates AI and machine learning to detect sophisticated threats
• Hyper customization options
• Affordable pricing model
• Improves compliance with data security and privacy regulations (like APP, IRAP, and E8) with data sovereignty  
• Localized threat detection, faster failover/recovery, rapid incident response, and quicker access to data and threat intelligence.

Gartner review  

“SharkStrikers MDR service has helped us enhance our threat detection and automated response to threats The platform was easy to use and worked smoothly with multiple vendors providing 360-degree visibility of security operations across the infrastructure. With on-demand expertise in cybersecurity and their highly versatile platform, we were able to address threats and suspicious behavior based activities before they got too big to deal with. Their platform has helped us take control of our defenses, assisting us to quickly evolve our defenses by leveraging best practices, mitigations and global threat intelligence. with this service, we were able to focus better on improving the service experience while keeping what is secure and what is precious to us.” 

2. Cyberstash

Overview

Cyberstash is an Australia-based cybersecurity company that utilizes its frontline experience to safeguard enterprises and government agencies. Their specialties include Extended Detection and Response (XDR), Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), Network Detection and Response (NDR), Managed Detection and Response (MDR), Compromise Assessment Service, Cybersecurity Strategy Development, and Information Security.

Features

24×7 monitoring

Cyberstash’s security team engages in 24/7 security monitoring of the infrastructure to secure it from risks and threats.

Rapid incident response

It offers a team of incident responders that offer quick support for detecting, responding, containing, and recovering from incidents

Threat Intelligence

Cyberstash assists organizations in integrating threat intelligence to keep up with the evolving cyber threats.

Threat Hunting  

Its team of threat hunters scans the environment and leverages threat intelligence to detect and respond to threats.

Security Consulting

Cyberstash offers security recommendations based on a detailed assessment of an organization’s infrastructure.

Strength

• High focus on forensic depth analysis
• Strong expertise working with government agencies and enterprises
• Certified to SOC2 and ISO/IEC 27001:2022

3. Thales

Overview

Thales is a Melbourne-based cybersecurity services provider focused on managed security services. It has offices across Australia and New Zealand with a team of more than 400 professionals. It has been a trusted services partner for the Australian government with customers in Defense, Aerospace, and Digital.

Features 

Cyber threat intelligence

Thales helps integrate comprehensive threat intelligence for the latest regional cyber threats so that organizations can defense against evolving threats.

Digital Risk Protection Services

Provides a complete view of exposure and threats across the web, social media, dark web, and deep sources.

Managed Security and Response Services

Delivers dedicated operators and analysts for managing an organization’s security stack for timely threat detection and response.

Digital Forensics and Incident Response

Thales’ incident response team delivers instant support needed for the swift resolution of cyber threats to organizations of different sizes and industries.

Attack Surface Management

Uses security tools and intelligence feeds to identify vulnerabilities and cyber threats across the entire attack surface.

Strengths 

• Trusted service provider for the government
• Specializes in securing critical infrastructure
• Large localized workforce across Australia and New Zealand

4. AU Cyber

Overview 

AU Cyber is a cloud and cybersecurity services provider based in Fortitude Valley, Queensland.  Its services include cloud computing, storage, backup, M365 backup, disaster recovery, and SOC threat defense and response. Its partners include managed service providers, SMEs in Australia, and security-conscious organizations looking to leverage the capabilities of cloud computing.

Features 

Automating threat monitoring

AU Cyber’s team enables automated threat monitoring by fine-tuning their solutions and creating playbooks for a timely response to cyber threats.

Incident response

It assists organizations in promptly detecting, responding to, and recovering from cyber threats by enabling regular backup.

Managed SOC

AUCyber provides comprehensive services to protect organizations by using advanced technology, threat intelligence, and security tools.

Vulnerability management

It offers solutions to identify, assess, and mitigate security risks across systems and applications with regular scanning and analysis.

Strengths

• Localized expertise
• Expertise working with regulated industries

5. Telstra

Overview 

Telstra is one of the leading telecommunications companies that offers a range of products and services to customers in Australia. Its cybersecurity wing offers cyber detection, and response focuses on securing IT infrastructure by monitoring it, analyzing security event data, alerting customers in case of unusual activity, and triggering automated response when required.

Features 

Advanced security analytics

Telstra’s security team uses big data tools with machine learning algorithms to detect anomalies and report malicious activity.

Security monitoring

Telstra’s team monitors customers’ IT infrastructure, alerts customers, and triggers an automated response when there is unusual activity.

Cyber detection and response portal

It provides transparency of its security operations to organizations through the cyber detection and response portal.

Incident Response

Offers access to Telstra’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) for rapid response to cyber incidents like unauthorized access to systems.

Strength

• Backed by a major telecom provider
• Wide coverage across Australia

6. Macquarie

Overview 

Macquarie Technology Group is one of the top technology providers with an emphasis on customer service and innovation. It focuses on keeping government and related agencies secure from cyber threats with a high level of technical expertise in cybersecurity. Their Managed Cybersecurity Services include managed SOC, managed SIEM, and MDR services. 

Features 

24×7 security monitoring

Macquarie’s team of highly skilled professionals with deep expertise delivers comprehensive protection 24/7.

Reporting

The service offers security reports from SIEM-specific reports and executive security posture reports to custom reports.

Threat intelligence

It provides advanced threat intelligence from over 40 data sources and a comprehensive threat intelligence library.

Detection using custom-built correlation rules

Organizations get access to the expertise to build incident correlation rules and an advanced correlation library.

Strengths 

• Strong expertise working with the government
• Specialized in securing the Azure cloud environment

7. CyberCX

Overview 

CyberCX offers end-to-end security services across Australia and New Zealand with a high focus on government agencies, banks, and critical infrastructure organizations. It partners with organizations to help them defend against cyber threats and embrace the opportunities offered by cloud computing. 

Features 

Managed SOC

Organizations get access to specialized skills and experienced professionals to establish and improve cybersecurity resilience.

Vulnerability management

CyberCX’s team performs continuous scanning, timely identification, and categorization of vulnerabilities across an organization’s environment.

Endpoint Detection and Response

With the service, organizations get an endpoint agent that continuously monitors and responds to malicious activity.

Threat intelligence

CyberCX offers threat intelligence research, latest feeds, reporting, and investigation to help organizations stay ahead of industry-specific cyber threats.

Strengths

• Localized expertise
• Large team
• Strong expertise in meeting government security requirements

8. Cythera

Overview 

Cythera is a Melbourne-based cybersecurity solutions provider that offers rapid detection, monitoring, and response solutions.

It delivers specialized expertise in aspects like managed services, malware protection, email protection, and security as a service.  It supports more than 400 companies in Australia and New Zealand.

Features 

24×7 monitoring

Cythera’s MDR service delivers round-the-clock monitoring and threat response through its SOCs based in Australia.

Threat Intelligence integration

Cythera’s team tunes detection rules, enriches alerts with the latest threat intelligence, and assesses the impact of threats and risks.

Incident response

It provides rapid incident response support for investigation, containment, and resolution of cyber threats.

Advisory services

Organizations get strategic-level advisory services for more effective cybersecurity decision-making and secure operations.

Strengths

• Localized expertise
• Large team of 150 cybersecurity specialists

9. Borderless CS

Overview

Borderless CS is an Australian cybersecurity company that offers advanced managed security services tailored to improve the cybersecurity maturity and strengthen the data security of its customers. It provides a range of services from endpoint protection, email security, to pentesting and incident response.

Features

Threat monitoring and detection

Organizations get a 24/7 SOC that continuously monitors the environment and responds to threats using appropriate security tools.

Incident response

Offers a dedicated incident response team for swift response to incidents and implementation of protocols for an effective IR.

Vulnerability management

BorderlessCS’ team assists in identifying and managing security risks before they are exploited by cybercriminals.

Compliance support

Helps organizations meet regulatory compliance requirements through necessary security monitoring and reporting

Strengths

• Specialized focus on threats like ransomware
• Localized expertise

10. Cyberpulse

Overview  

CyberPulse is a Sydney-based computer and network security services provider that partners with organizations to operationalize security with a range of services. These services include 24/7 MDR, incident response, threat hunting, pentesting, and red teaming. It focuses on simplifying complexity, accelerating readiness, and ensuring resilience.

Features

24×7 monitoring

Provides a global SOC team that performs security monitoring, triages alerts, and hunts for cyber threats.

MITRE ATT&CK-aligned detections

Cyberpulse helps organizations realign their detections as per the MITRE ATT&CK framework for a more accurate response.

Incident response

Provides a team of incident responders with appropriate tools and expertise to rapidly respond to cyber incidents.

Security reporting

Offers comprehensive security reports based on an overall assessment of an organization’s security posture.

Strengths

• Expertise working with mid-market and regulated organizations

List of Top 10 MDR Service providers in Australia

1. SharkStriker

2. Cyberstash

3. Thales

4. AU Cyber

5. Telstra

6. Macquarie

7. CyberCX

8. Cythera

9. Borderless CS

10. Cyberpulse