June 06, 2025 4 Minute Read

The decision to buy a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) product or outsource to a Managed Detection and Response (MDR) depends on a number of factors, including the size of your organization, the complexity of your IT infrastructure, and your overall security needs.

Before we get into the main discussion, let’s step back and define what we are talking about so everyone is on the same page.

What is a SIEM?

A SIEM is a technology platform that aggregates, normalizes, and analyzes log and event data from across a digital environment. Its core functions include:

• Log collection and correlation from devices, servers, applications, and cloud platforms
• Real-time threat detection using rule-based and behavior-based analysis
• Compliance reporting for regulations like HIPAA, PCI-DSS, or GDPR
• Alerts and dashboards for visibility into potential incidents

A managed SIEM service, when properly operated, gives full control to an internal security team, but it requires skilled staff to maintain and fine-tune.

MDR Defined

An MDR service falls under the category of a fully managed security solution combining advanced technology with a team of security experts to monitor, detect, investigate, and respond to threats on your behalf. MDR providers typically offer:

• 24/7 monitoring by human analysts
• Threat detection and response using EDR, XDR, or SIEM technologies
• Proactive threat hunting and forensic investigation
• Incident response support, sometimes including remote remediation
• Threat intelligence and reporting.

Hiring an MDR vendor is ideal for organizations that lack in-house expertise or need to scale quickly.

With that settled, let’s get into our topic.

When to Bring in an MDR Provider

There are a number of reasons to partner with an MDR provider.

If you have a smaller organization with limited in-house security resources or the need to augment your current security operations, an MDR service might be a more practical solution than adding more staff.

This is particularly true if you require 24/7 monitoring. An MDR provider can handle this task either full time or when your security team is not on the clock.

In addition to personnel, an MDR vendor must provide a range of adjacent security services to organizations, such as threat hunting, DFIR, penetration testing, cyber advisory, etc. These capabilities bring a proactive, or offensive security, approach helping organizations identify and respond to potential security threats in real-time and providing the expertise to mature your security program over time.

In 2025, the MDR market has matured, with many vendors evolving into MXDR (Managed Extended Detection and Response) providers. MXDR solutions go beyond traditional MDR by integrating endpoint, network, identity, and cloud telemetry for broader visibility and faster response across hybrid environments.

MDR Benefits:

Some of the key benefits of working with an MDR provider include:

1. Access to expertise: MDR vendors typically employ security experts who have specialized skills, experience, and knowledge to detect, respond, and hunt for cyber threats.
2. Proactive monitoring: MDR providers use a combination of technology and human expertise to monitor networks for potential threats around the clock.
3. Real-time threat detection: With access to advanced security tools, ML/AI, and sophisticated techniques, MDR vendors can detect threats in real-time and take action to prevent a breach.
4. Rapid incident response: MDR vendors have the resources to respond quickly to security incidents, helping organizations to minimize the impact of an incident or breach.
5. Comprehensive threat coverage and threat intelligence: Includes coverage for a wide range of security threats and curated threat intelligence unique to each vendor.

Should I buy a SIEM?

If you have a large and complex IT environment, a dedicated SIEM is an option. This is because SIEMs provide a centralized platform for collecting and analyzing security event data from across your network. Additionally, your security operations team has full control over the configuration, customization, and management of the solution.

However, a SIEM requires your organization to have basic resources in place to effectively operate it.

Basic resources needed to operate a SIEM:

• Hardware: SIEMs typically require a dedicated server or a cluster of servers with sufficient memory, storage, and processing power to handle the volume of log data generated by the various systems and devices on a network.
• Software: A SIEM solution requires an operating system, a database management system, and the SIEM software itself. Some solutions may also require additional software components such as log collectors, log parsers, and correlation engines.
• Staffing: Implementing a SIEM, ongoing maintenance and administration typically requires the expertise of security professionals with experience in security event management and log analysis, which may require additional staffing resources.

Modern SIEM platforms increasingly incorporate machine learning and behavioral analytics to detect anomalies faster and reduce false positives. Additionally, some solutions are now cloud-native, which can significantly reduce infrastructure requirements and offer better scalability. However, these advanced features may come at a premium and still require skilled personnel to fine-tune.

The cost to implement and run a SIEM can vary widely depending on the solution and your specific needs. Some factors that can impact the cost include the size of the network and the volume of log data generated, the complexity of your security requirements, and the cost of ongoing maintenance and support.

In general, SIEMs can be a significant investment for organizations, but it can also provide significant benefits in terms of improved security and threat detection, with continued investment and commitment.

Trustwave’s MDR and SIEM Solutions

Trustwave offers robust MDR and SIEM solutions designed to enhance cybersecurity for enterprises.

Trustwave's MDR service provides 24/7 threat monitoring, detection, and response. Leveraging advanced threat intelligence from Trustwave SpiderLabs, it identifies and mitigates threats quickly and accurately. The service includes proactive threat hunting, incident investigation, and rapid response to neutralize threats before they can cause significant damage.

Trustwave's Co-Managed SIEM is a 24x7 monitored cloud-based platform that integrates seamlessly with existing security infrastructures. It leverages Trustwave’s curated threat intelligence, conducts thorough threat investigations to determine the right response, and will design fast, effective response actions with minimal business impact.

Together, these solutions enable organizations to maintain a strong defensive posture, reduce risk, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Trustwave's expertise and advanced technologies make it a reliable partner in safeguarding against evolving cyber threats.

Final Comparison

Compared to a SIEM, MDR can be a more cost-effective option for organizations, as it eliminates the need for in-house hardware, software, and staffing resources, and shifts the responsibility for security management and response to the MDR service provider.

Moreover, MDR services can be easily scaled to meet the changing security demands of your organization, without the need for additional in-house resources.

However, a SIEM solution may be a better fit for an organization that already has a well-established security team with the expertise to handle threat detection and response internally.

There is also a new twist that has gained popularity. Organizations now increasingly adopt hybrid models, where a cloud-native SIEM provides visibility while an MDR/MXDR service handles response.

This “co-managed” approach is ideal for mid-sized organizations with some security staff who want expert backup and round-the-clock protection.