
How MDR Reduces Cyber Insurance Costs and Risks: MDR, a Key to Unlocking Cyber Insurance Coverage
In today’s digital landscape, the risk of cybersecurity incidents is higher than ever. Businesses are constantly threatened by cyber attacks. Cyber insurance has become a must-have, but many businesses are finding it difficult to qualify for cyber insurance or find a reasonable premium without first taking some steps to secure their organization. This is where Managed Detection and Response (MDR) comes into play. MDR is a game-changer in the world of cybersecurity, offering advanced detection capabilities that go beyond simple protection. But how does MDR reduce cyber insurance costs and risks? Let’s dive into the details.
The Difference Between Protection and Detection: Antivirus VS. MDR
First and foremost, it’s important to understand the difference between protection and detection. Traditional antivirus solutions focus on protecting your systems by trying to stop malicious software from running. Antivirus solutions are programmed to recognize and stop threats that are known (they’ve already earned a reputation for doing bad things elsewhere). However, they often fall short when detecting abnormal behavior that may indicate a cyber attack. MDR, on the other hand, is designed to detect and respond to these threats in real time. It looks at behavior, not just whether something is a virus, and can identify malicious activities that antivirus solutions might miss.
Reducing the Risk of Cybersecurity Incidents
One of the key benefits of MDR is its ability to reduce the risk of cybersecurity incidents. By providing advanced detection capabilities, MDR can identify and mitigate threats before they cause significant damage. This is crucial in today’s environment, where the majority of cyber attacks are carried out through social engineering channels or business email compromise. These attacks are often hidden behind legitimate markers such as compromised emails, passwords, or other credentials, making them difficult to detect with traditional antivirus solutions. But because MDR focuses on behavior, it can detect abnormal activity that bad guys typically do like changing permissions, exfiltrating data, or accessing data from unusual locations. Because it can detect these anomalies, they can be caught and prevented from escalating.
Impact on Cyber Insurance Costs
Now, let’s talk about how MDR impacts cyber insurance costs. Cyber insurance providers are well aware of the limitations of traditional antivirus solutions. They understand that businesses without advanced detection capabilities are at a higher risk of experiencing a cyber attack. As a result, many insurance providers require businesses to have MDR in place before offering coverage. Some providers won’t even underwrite a policy if MDR is not implemented. This is a clear indication of the importance of MDR in reducing cyber risks.
Lower Cyber Insurance Premiums and Better Coverage
For businesses that do have MDR, the benefits are significant. Insurance providers often offer lower premiums to businesses with MDR, as they are seen as less risky. This can lead to substantial cost savings and can be the difference between qualifying for cyber insurance or not. This is a testament to the value that MDR brings in terms of reducing both risks and costs.
Improving the Quality of Cyber Insurance Coverage
In addition to lower premiums, MDR can also improve the overall quality of cyber insurance coverage. Businesses with MDR are more likely to receive comprehensive coverage that addresses a wide range of cyber threats. This is because insurance providers recognize the effectiveness of MDR in mitigating risks and are more willing to offer better policies to businesses with MDR in place.
The Essential Role of MDR in Cybersecurity
MDR is an essential tool for businesses looking to reduce their cyber insurance costs and risks. Its advanced detection capabilities provide a level of protection that traditional antivirus solutions simply cannot match. By implementing MDR, businesses can lower their insurance premiums and improve the quality of their coverage. In today’s digital age, MDR is a must-have for any business serious about cybersecurity.
How MDR can work in your Business?
If you’re curious about what MDR would look like in your business, set up a time to speak with our experts here at Snap Tech IT.

Karl Bickmore
CEO of Snap Tech IT with over 20 years of experience as a technology and cybersecurity expert.