Spotlight on Dell MDR: The compelling case for managed detection and response in CPA firms
By Ryan Perk, Dell Technologies
September 19, 2023
Just as CPA firms offer specialized services for clients lacking in-house financial expertise, managed detection and response (MDR) services provide much-needed cybersecurity capabilities for organizations that may not have dedicated IT departments. Attacks against major corporations grab frontpage headlines but in reality businesses of all sizes are vulnerable. Small businesses, often lacking the extensive resources of large corporations, are particularly at risk. Choosing Dell as your MDR provider empowers your CPA firm with enterprise-grade protection, letting you focus on what you do best — financial services.
Why CPA firms are attractive targets
You might think cybersecurity is a concern primarily for big enterprises, but CPA firms are equally at risk. The financial data you handle — tax records, business consultancy information and sometimes even trust or estate documents — make you an enticing target for cybercriminals. Ensuring the protection of this data is not just good practice; it's a necessity that can safeguard your firm's reputation. Many CPA firms, particularly smaller ones, don’t have the luxury of a dedicated IT team. Just like your clients may lack financial expertise, your firm may lack cybersecurity resources. This often results in a reactive strategy, akin to advising a client to disregard tax planning until they get audited. Proactivity is key, and this is where Dell MDR comes into play.
What is managed detection and response (MDR)?
MDR is not just another security tool; it's a fully managed, end-to-end, 24/7 service that monitors, detects, investigates and responds to threats across your entire IT environment. While traditional cybersecurity tools, like firewalls and antivirus software, serve as the first line of defense, they often lack the sophistication required to deal with advanced threats. Once a threat penetrates this initial layer of security, these tools have little capability to manage or respond to the incident.
In contrast, MDR provides several key benefits:
- Realtime monitoring: Dell MDR offers 24/7 real-time monitoring by security experts, helping to ensure that threats are not just detected but also analyzed and prioritized.
- Advanced analytics: Leveraging Secureworks Taegis XDR security analytics platform, Dell MDR analysts can identify unusual patterns that may indicate a more complex attack, which is something traditional tools might miss.
- Expert intervention: With Dell MDR, you don't just get software — you get a team of experienced security analysts. They can investigate high-risk threats more deeply and provide immediate, actionable steps for containment and elimination.
- End-to-end monitoring: Dell MDR helps secure your environment across endpoints, network and cloud, providing a holistic view of your IT environment’s security.
- Prioritized workload: Because Dell MDR takes a proactive approach to threat detection and response, your firm’s in-house staff can focus on their core duties without the additional burden of managing complex security incidents.
- Cost-effectiveness: While having an in-house cybersecurity team may seem ideal, the costs can be prohibitive for small to midsized CPA firms. Dell MDR provides top-tier security at a predictable price, making it an economical choice for organizations without a dedicated IT department.
The ROI of Dell MDR for CPA firms
Just as your clients understand the value of specialized financial services, CPA firms must recognize the importance of specialized cybersecurity solutions. Investing in Dell MDR yields a significant return by helping to prevent financial loss through data breaches and by maintaining the integrity and trust that are crucial to client relationships.
Protecting against future risk
For CPA firms, the need for robust cybersecurity solutions is not a matter of if but when. By adopting a proactive cybersecurity stance with Dell MDR, you can significantly mitigate risks while enhancing client trust. In the same way you offer expertise in financial matters, let Dell be your expert in cybersecurity.
Reach out to
SB.Managed.Services@dell.com today to set up your cybersecurity consultation and take the first step in significantly improving your firm's security posture.
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