SIEM vs. MSSP vs. MDR

**Executive summary:** This document compares SIEM, MSSP, and MDR approaches to organizational security: SIEMs provide centralized data aggregation, correlation, and compliance support but require significant tuning, expertise, and cost; MSSPs offer outsourced, subscription-based security management with predictable costs but limited control and visibility; and MDR combines technology and human analysts to deliver continuous monitoring, higher-quality alerts, and incident response capabilities. It recommends selecting the approach based on organizational size, staffing, and risk tolerance, noting that MDR often provides a balanced, cost-effective alternative for organizations without a mature in-house SOC.