AI is impacting virtually every aspect of technology and operations, and security operations and the use of MDR services are no exception. While AI-enabled security solutions are poised to change the way security programs operate, they are also impacting the types of managed security services and the use of MDR services as they exist today. With a hypothesis that the AI-era could reduce the need for and consumption of MDR services as AI-enabled security solutions automate more security functions, this research looked to uncover new opportunities for an expanding MDR market as well as the need for a rapid increase in skills and services to support that expansion.

To understand more about how AI is impacting the expectations of, utilization of, and services offered by MDR providers, Enterprise Strategy Group surveyed 400 cybersecurity and IT decision-makers at organizations in North America (U.S. and Canada) responsible for evaluating or purchasing MDR security services.