Managed Detection and Response (MDR)
What is Managed Detection and Response (MDR)?
A cybersecurity service where a third-party provider monitors your systems around the clock, detects threats, and responds to incidents on your behalf. MDR combines EDR technology with human analysts who investigate alerts, triage threats, and take containment actions — giving small businesses access to 24/7 security expertise they couldn't afford to hire in-house. For most Canadian SMBs, MDR is the most practical path to enterprise-grade security monitoring.
Why insurers are increasingly requiring managed detection services →
Why this matters for Canadian businesses
Understanding Managed Detection and Response (MDR) is part of building a security programme that meets the 13 Baseline Cyber Security Controls published by the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (ITSM.10.089) — the Government of Canada's recommended minimum standard for small and medium organizations. You can measure your organization against all 13 controls with our free cybersecurity assessment.
For the wider picture on how Canadian small and medium businesses are performing, see The Cybersecurity Canada Report 2026, our annual benchmark of incident rates, breach costs, and regulation affecting Canadian organizations.
Cite This Page
Suggested citation:
Cybersecurity Canada (2026). Managed Detection and Response (MDR). Retrieved from https://cybersecuritycanada.ca/glossary/mdr/
Permanent URL: https://cybersecuritycanada.ca/glossary/mdr/
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