Understanding Fortinet MDR: Solution Overview, Pros and Cons

What Is FortiGuard MDR? 

FortiGuard Managed Detection and Response (MDR) is a 24/7 service aimed at improving endpoint security through continuous monitoring, alert triage, threat hunting, and incident response. It integrates with FortiEDR and FortiXDR platforms to access endpoint protection tools and threat intelligence.

The service is operated by Fortinet’s team of security analysts, which helps organizations address security incidents only from the FortiEDR and XDR products. FortiGuard MDR manages alerts and intends to contain threats and provide remediation guidance based on an organization’s risk profile.

This is part of a series of articles about FortiSIEM

Key Features of FortiGuard MDR 

FortiGuard MDR offers the following key capabilities:

• Threat detection and analysis: Provides monitoring and analysis of threats identified by FortiEDR. Analysts review alerts, hunt for potential threats, and assess vulnerabilities. Static and dynamic malware analysis is conducted, along with system memory analysis to detect malicious processes. 
• Threat hunting: Threat analysts look for threats within customer environments. They collect and examine forensic artifacts such as Windows Event Logs, Scheduled Task Logs, and browser activity to help uncover malicious activity.
• Incident response and containment: When a compromised host is identified, the MDR team uses containment strategies to try and isolate the threat. Actions may include terminating malicious processes, blocking communications, or removing files. FortiEDR playbooks may be used to automate these steps, while the MDR team provides additional configurations or security policy updates.
• Remediation guidance: The MDR team offers remediation advice for short-term tactical steps (e.g., registry cleanup) and long-term strategies.
• Reporting and alerting: Security events are analyzed and followed up with incident notifications, including threat descriptions and remediation recommendations. Critical incidents are escalated for prioritized attention, and additional information can be requested via email or phone. 
• SOC support: The service complements existing SOC teams by scaling their capabilities and hopefully reducing analyst burnout. It enables junior analysts to focus on more critical security tasks.

How the Fortinet MDR Service Works 

Supporting EDR implementation

Deploying and managing an endpoint detection and response (EDR) solution requires some expertise and time. Misconfigurations or lack of proper tuning can inadvertently increase an organization’s attack surface. 

Fortinet MDR aims to resolve this by handling tasks like environment tuning, exception management, and product optimization. This is intended so that EDR tools like FortiEDR and FortiXDR are correctly utilized to protect against threats.

Easing EDR adoption

Fortinet MDR attempts to reduce the learning curve for organizations adopting EDR. Many organizations struggle to move from traditional antivirus solutions to EDR due to the difference in approach and the additional work required for effective implementation. Fortinet’s experts help manage deployment, continuous monitoring, threat hunting, and incident response.

The team works with organizations to define roles and responsibilities through playbooks, intended to support a coordinated response to threats. They also provide recommendations and escalation notifications.

Service structure

Fortinet MDR offers hourly services. Organizations may use this structure to test the value of the service, onboard new technologies, or augment their existing capabilities without committing to long-term contracts.

FortiGuard MDR Limitations 

When evaluating the FortiGuard MDR service, organizations should consider the following key limitations: 

• Dependence on Fortinet ecosystem: FortiGuard MDR only covers alerts and the tuning of FortiEDR and FortiXDR. Organizations seeking a more holistic MDR service need to turn to another option.
• Limited customization beyond playbooks: While FortiGuard MDR offers tailored playbooks, the level of customization might not fully meet the unique needs of highly specialized environments with unconventional workflows.
• Resource dependence: Though the service alleviates the operational burden, organizations still require in-house expertise to manage broader security operations and coordinate effectively with the MDR team.
• Response time variability: The quality and speed of threat response depend on factors like incident complexity, the accuracy of detection mechanisms, and the customer’s ability to implement recommendations swiftly.
• Potential data privacy concerns: As MDR involves deep analysis of endpoint activity, some organizations may have concerns about sharing sensitive data with an external service provider, even with strict data handling policies in place.
• No physical incident support: FortiGuard MDR operates remotely, so organizations requiring on-site incident response must seek additional services outside the MDR offering.
• Limited control over processes: Some organizations may find the outsourced model less appealing as it relinquishes control over certain aspects of detection and response to a third party.

Related content: Read our guide to Fortinet competitors

Using Exabeam SIEM with MDR Partners 

Security teams today are under immense pressure to detect, investigate, and respond to threats faster than ever. However, the sheer volume of alerts, combined with the complexity of modern cyberattacks, makes it difficult for organizations to keep up. Managed Detection and Response (MDR) providers and MSSPs that leverage Exabeam’s AI-driven security operations platform gain a significant advantage—enabling them to reduce noise, prioritize real threats, and deliver faster, more effective incident response.

With Exabeam, MDR providers can reduce mean time to repair and accelerate investigation workflows by automating threat detection, correlation, and response. The Missing Link, for example, reported achieving their 50 percent SLA target for detections and response actions with greater consistency and standardization, ensuring clients receive rapid and reliable protection. Similarly, r-tec CDC reduced mean time to acknowledge by 50 percent, averaging just nine minutes, while resolution times now average only 17 minutes—allowing their analysts to focus on high-priority threats instead of drowning in false positives.

By integrating seamlessly with MDR and MSSP workflows, Exabeam provides service providers with the ability to detect more threats faster, minimize false positives, and drive operational efficiency—all while reducing costs and improving customer outcomes. Security providers that rely on traditional SIEMs struggle to meet the growing demand for real-time protection, but those using Exabeam can confidently offer a proactive, AI-powered security service that delivers faster, more accurate threat detection and response.

Whether you are an MDR provider looking to enhance your security operations or an organization seeking a trusted service provider, Exabeam empowers security teams to detect threats earlier, investigate incidents faster, and respond with confidence—helping you stay ahead of the evolving threat landscape.

Learn more about Exabeam SIEM