Question 1

Is MDR the same as a SOC?

Accepted Answer

No. A SOC is the function that monitors, detects and responds to threats, while MDR is a managed service that delivers that capability for you. MDR typically includes a SOC operated by the provider, plus threat intelligence and active response under an outcome-based contract.

Question 2

Is MDR cheaper than building an in-house SOC?

Accepted Answer

For most organisations, yes. Building an in-house SOC carries significant fixed costs across salaries, 24/7 rotas, tooling and ongoing training. MDR converts that into a predictable subscription and removes the burden of recruiting and retaining scarce security analysts.

Question 3

Can I use MDR alongside an existing SOC?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Many organisations run a co-managed or hybrid model, using MDR to extend coverage out of hours, add specialist threat-hunting, or surge during incidents while the internal SOC retains oversight and bespoke tuning.

Question 4

Does MDR include active threat response?

Accepted Answer

Quality MDR goes beyond alerting to include active containment and guided remediation. Our service provides analyst-led response and clear, prioritised guidance so threats are contained quickly rather than simply flagged for your team to handle.

Question 5

How quickly can MDR be deployed?

Accepted Answer

MDR can typically be onboarded in days to weeks, compared with the months or more it takes to build and mature an in-house SOC. This makes it well suited to organisations needing rapid, reliable coverage.

MDR vs SOC: Key Differences Explained (2026)