In recent years, South African organizations have seen some of the most advanced cyber threats that get past even the most modern detection systems, leveraging AI to make their presence and boost their persistence.

As more organizations go digital and make hybrid work their new default, it becomes a priority for them to address their security risks and adhere to data security regulations that keep tightening every year. While taking up cybersecurity on one’s own can be a brave move, it can present several challenges that can backfire.

Let us explore how MDR can be beneficial to South African organizations in more ways than one, and some of the top cybersecurity providers in South Africa.

What is MDR?

Managed Detection and Response is a cybersecurity service that is entirely outsourced service that helps organizations secure their infrastructure, network, data, and identities.

Through this 24/7 service, organizations get a team of dedicated security experts who perform analysis of security data from their client’s security setup using the requisite security tools and take the required actions based on analysis.

For organizations with limited people, process, and technology MDR serves as an affordable service that offers them all three through a single service.

Why do South African organizations need MDR?

With MDR, organizations of any size, whether small, medium or large sized organizations can achieve their security and compliance needs without having to setup their own dedicated Security Operations Center (SOC).

It serves as an effective solution to challenges like the rising cost and complexity of security solutions, the widening security skills gap and meeting tightening compliance regulations. It offers organizations the freedom to customize the offering to meet/match with changing business, security, and compliance needs.

Some key features to expect

By blending convenience, affordability, and customizability, MDR offers organizations an effective way through which they can address specific cybersecurity and compliance needs. They can use the service to meet their most immediate as well as long term goals through customization. Being aware of what to expect from MDR service is critical to make the most of it.

There are many MDR providers in the market, however, being aware of some of the most common features offered helps to make the most of the service. It also helps to be aware of the scope of cybersecurity, the compliance requirements applicable, and inventory of status quo security tools and solutions in place.

The following are some of the common features to expect from an MDR service:

24/7 monitoring and risk management

Organizations get round-the-clock security monitoring of their infrastructure through the service assisting them to promptly respond to threats before they cause severe disruption/damage to their operations/data. They also get the support to identify and address security risks before they turn into threats.

Threat hunting

The service offers a team of threat experts and threat hunters who can help integrate the latest threat intelligence and detect threats across internal and external environments. The threat hunters use the latest and relevant threat intelligence and Indicators of Attack/Indicators of Compromise to identify signs of threat activity.

Threat detection and intelligence integration

The MDR team configures the security setup of an organization for more accurate detection of threats and prepares playbooks for automated response to threats. It helps organizations predict risks using the latest threat intelligence before they are exploited by cybercriminals to carry out a full-blown attack. By tuning the security setup from time to time, the team helps continuously improve the overall cybersecurity resilience in an evolving threat landscape.

Customization

MDR service offers the flexibility to customize as per the scope of an organization and continuously improve its security as an organization grows in terms of assets, technological complexity, and team size. It also helps address the challenge of technological sprawl

Access to experts

Through the MDR service, organizations get on-demand access to cybersecurity experts with expertise in multiple aspects of cybersecurity. It helps them address the growing cybersecurity workforce gap in an affordable manner.

Top MDR Service providers in South Africa

1. SharkStriker

Best Advanced MDR Service Provider in South Africa

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 POPIA), and certifications & standards like ISO27001, ISO27017, PCI DSS Level 1, SOC1, SOC2, and SOC3.

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

Organizations 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 POPIA.

Strengths of SharkStriker MDR

• Offers dual expertise in cybersecurity and compliance.
• 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 POPIA and certifications & standards like ISO27001, ISO27017, PCI DSS Lvl 1., SOC1, SOC2, and SOC3 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. Cyberglobal RSA

Overview

Cyberglobal SouthAfrica is a Cape Town-based cybersecurity services provider with a mission to make high-quality cybersecurity accessible to organizations by becoming a unified brand. It offers several services in South Africa, including penetration testing, application security, network security, and cloud security services.

Features

24×7 monitoring

Cyberglobal SouthAfrica offers a team of MDR experts who monitor the security ecosystem for cyber threats.

Expert-based triaging

MDR experts correlate data, perform alert analysis, and identify real threats.

Incident response

Provides a team for actionable recommendations for effective incident response.

Actionable reporting

It offers in-depth reports with detailed security recommendations.

Strengths

• Strong expertise serving local organizations

3. Orange Cyberdefense

Overview

Cyberglobal SouthAfrica is a Cape Town-based cybersecurity services provider with a mission to make high-quality cybersecurity accessible to organizations by becoming a unified brand. It offers several services in South Africa, including penetration testing, application security, network security, and cloud security services.

Features 

24/7 monitoring

Cyberglobal SouthAfrica offers a team of MDR experts who monitor the security ecosystem for cyber threats.

Expert-based triaging

MDR experts correlate data, perform alert analysis, and identify real threats.

Incident response

Provides a team for actionable recommendations for effective incident response.

Actionable reporting

It offers in-depth reports with detailed security recommendations.

Strengths

• Strong expertise serving local organizations

4. Performanta

Overview 

Performanta is a Gauteng-based services provider that has offices in the UK, North America, and Australia. It specializes in data loss prevention, cybersecurity assessments, and IT security project management. It offers services like Identity and access management, Protection of Microsoft 365, and SOC services.

Features 

Continuous monitoring

Performanta’s MDR team continuously monitors client’s infrastructure for threats.

Detection and investigation

Organizations get expert-based investigation and automated detection & response to threats.

Threat intelligence

Perfomanta leverages the latest threat intelligence for more accurate threat detection.

Reporting

It offers detailed security reports based on assessments of security posture.

Strengths

• Known for its global threat intelligence
• Strong local security team

5. Snode

Overview 

Snode is a Gauteng-based cyber defense firm that delivers cybersecurity solutions that leverage AI and digital twin technology. It is committed to building solutions for seamless network monitoring, threat detection, and data-based analytics. It specializes in threat exposure management, AI security, and managed security services.

Features 

24×7 monitoring

Snode’s MDR team monitors their client’s infrastructure round the clock for promptly responding cyber threats.

Automated detection

Organizations get a team of security experts who configure their security setup and create playbooks for automated threats.

Incident response

Snode offers a team and technology for prompt response to cyber incidents.

Risk management

It offers the tools and expertise for organizations to gain a clear view of their security posture.

Strength

• Specialized expertise in threat exposure management

6. Liyatech

Overview 

LiyaTech Solutions is a Gauteng-based cybersecurity solutions provider that is focused on helping organizations embrace secure, cutting-edge Microsoft technologies through its round-the-clock Cyber Security Operations Centre and service desk. It offers ITIL-aligned managed IT services, cybersecurity services, and transformation services.

Features 

24×7 CSOC

LiyaTech’s CSOC delivers a combination of cutting-edge cloud security technologies and skilled analysts who secure organizations round-the-clock.

Technical architecture

The service provides a technical architecture based on Microsoft 365 Defender and Microsoft Sentinel.

Compliance consulting

Organizations using this service get compliance consulting for common data privacy regulations.

Threat detection and response

It provides a skilled SecOps team that uses advanced technology and automation to quickly identify and respond to threats.

Strengths 

• Strong expertise in securing Microsoft 365 environments

7. Integrity 360

Overview 

Integrity 360 is a cybersecurity company that offers a full suite of managed security services that comprehensively cover cyber risk management through timely identification and prevention of threats. It works with organizations to enhance their security posture through a Security First approach.

Features 

EDR

Offers an Endpoint Detection and Response for enhanced security of endpoints.

Cloud security

Helps detect attacks and suspicious behaviour across SaaS environments like Microsoft.

SIEM

Offers a market-leading SIEM with 13-month data retention.

24×7 monitoring

Integrity 360’s team of cybersecurity experts engages in continuous security monitoring of clients’ infrastructure.

Strengths

• Offers specialized expertise in securing SaaS environments.

8. Mint Group

Overview 

Mint Group is a South Africa-based Microsoft Solutions Partner that focuses on helping businesses embrace digital transformation with cutting-edge technologies like automation, AI, and cloud. It has specialized expertise in business applications, data & AI, and cloud & infrastructure.

Features 

24/7 threat monitoring

Mint’s security team engages in round-the-clock security monitoring to detect and contain threats before they impact operations.

AI-powered threat detection

Organizations get advanced AI-based detection of threats based on the analysis of security data.

Incident response

Offers a team for rapid investigation and response to threats.

Compliance management

Helps organizations meet regulatory requirements through monitoring and reporting.

Strengths

• Strong expertise in Microsoft security

9. Cyber Insight

Overview

Cyber Insight is a Cape Town-based cybersecurity company that specializes in defensive security solutions and is driven by the mission to provide businesses with robust and integrated protection against evolving cyber threats. They focus on offering comprehensive services for securing digital environments and maintaining operational resilience.

Features

Incident detection and triage

Offers real-time detection of cyber threats and incidents, offering a dedicated team for triaging and response.

Integrated response

Organizations get integrated response across identities, endpoints, cloud, and networks.

Automated security

CyberInsight’s MDR team customizes playbooks for automated response to threats.

Integration

Delivers complete coverage across SaaS platforms and cloud-native workloads.

Strengths

• Strong expertise catering to local organizations

10. Dolos

Overview  

Dolos is a Cape Town-based distributor of cybersecurity solutions in Africa and the Middle East. It was founded in 2006 and operates in more than 60 countries globally. It focuses on channel partner and MSP success through technology and security excellence.

Features

24/7 coverage

Dolos’ MDR staff continuously monitors the client’s environment for abnormal behavior and threat activity.

Threat hunting

 It combines threat hunting, threat intelligence, and analytics to help organizations proactively detect and respond to threats.

Reporting

Delivers monthly and weekly security reports based on security posture assessments.

Posture improvement

Helps organizations proactively improve their posture based on continuous assessments.

Strengths

• Specializes in catering to South African MSPs

List of Top 10 MDR Service providers in South Africa

1. SharkStriker

2. Cyberglobal RSA

3. Orange Cyberdefense

4. Performanta

5. Snode

6. Liyatech

7. Integrity 360

8. Mint Group

9. Cyber Insight

10. Dolos