Avoiding Buyer’s Remorse in the Managed Detection and Response Market

The surge in threat volume and the constant expansion of attack surfaces leave many security teams struggling to maintain 24/7 coverage. While outsourcing detection and response is a logical response to limited internal capacity, the crowded vendor landscape makes evaluation difficult. Providers frequently cloak standard services in unique branding and proprietary terminology, obscuring the actual capabilities being delivered.

"Don't get lost in the noise and rush into a contract you'll regret," says Seva Ioussoufovitch, senior research analyst at Info-Tech. Instead of focusing on marketing buzzwords, teams should prioritize the internal inventory of their specific needs and establish measurable outcomes before starting negotiations.

To standardize this process, Info-Tech proposes a four-phase blueprint covering preparation, outcome setting, procurement, and governance. This structured approach forces organizations to define the scope of responsibilities and KPIs early, ensuring vendors are measured against consistent criteria rather than sales pitches. Beyond mere selection, the firm suggests using the procurement phase to identify and eliminate redundant security tools, potentially streamlining existing vendor portfolios. By shifting the focus toward disciplined requirements gathering, security leaders can maintain leverage during negotiations and ensure the chosen provider remains accountable throughout the duration of the partnership.