> Detection and response, three ways

MDR vs MSSP vs In-House SOC: Which Should You Choose?

MDR (Managed Detection and Response) is an outcome-based service that detects and actively responds to threats 24/7 using its own tooling. An MSSP manages and monitors the security tools you already own. An in-house SOC gives you full control and context but is the costliest and hardest to staff. Most mid-market firms get the best risk reduction per dollar from MDR.

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By Roman Heiman, CEO & Founder of RHC Solutions — 30+ years in IT and cyber security.

In short: choose MDR when you want fast, expert-led detection and response without building a team; choose an MSSP when you have security tools and want them managed and monitored; build an in-house SOC when scale, data sensitivity, or regulation justify full-time staff and 24/7 coverage. Many organizations combine them — for example, MDR for response plus internal staff for context and governance.

MDR vs MSSP vs in-house SOC

Dimension	MDR	MSSP	In-house SOC
What it does	Detects + actively responds to threats	Manages / monitors your security tools	You run detection + response end-to-end
Tooling	Provider's EDR/XDR + analytics	Yours (they operate it)	Yours
Response	Active containment included	Usually alerts; you respond	Full, in-house
Speed to value	Days–weeks	Weeks	Months–years to build
Cost model	Per-endpoint / per-user subscription	Per-device / per-tool management fee	High fixed (salaries, tooling, 24/7)
Best for	Mid-market needing outcomes fast	Orgs with tools but no staff	Large / regulated orgs needing control

How to choose

If you lack a security team and want measurable risk reduction quickly, MDR usually delivers the best outcome per dollar — the provider brings the tooling, analysts, and a tested response playbook. If you have already invested in SIEM/EDR and just need expert hands to run it, an MSSP fits. An in-house SOC makes sense once data sensitivity, compliance, or scale justify 24/7 staff — and even then, many large organizations augment it with MDR for after-hours response.

> FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between MDR and an MSSP?

An MSSP manages and monitors the security tools you own and typically hands you alerts; MDR is an outcome-based service that brings its own detection tooling and actively responds to threats on your behalf, 24/7.

Is MDR the same as a SOC?

MDR is a service that delivers SOC-like outcomes (24/7 detection and response) without you building a Security Operations Center. An in-house SOC is the team, tools, and processes you own and staff yourself.

Do we still need an internal team if we use MDR?

You need someone to own the relationship, provide business context, and act on escalations — but not a full 24/7 analyst team. MDR covers detection and frontline response.

How fast can MDR start protecting us?

Typically days to a few weeks — deploying endpoint sensors, connecting log sources, and tuning detections. That is far faster than the months-to-years of standing up an in-house SOC.

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