Security teams are facing a familiar challenge: costs rise, tools multiply, but the results don’t inspire confidence. The issue is not a lack of effort. The growing complexity of the attack surface makes it harder to stay ahead of attackers and demonstrate value to the business. Rapid7 Managed Detection and Response (MDR) is designed to change that equation. In a new whitepaper from IDC, Rapid7 MDR was shown to improve both security and business outcomes.
Confidence by the numbers
IDC spoke with organizations in industries ranging from healthcare to energy about their experience with Rapid7 MDR. On average, each organization realized $2.19 million in annual benefits. Over three years, the return on investment reached 422%, and the service paid for itself in just five months. These gains weren’t merely hypothetical. They reflect avoided downtime from ransomware, reductions in major security events, and tangible improvements in efficiency. Security teams reported productivity increases of nearly 50%, the equivalent of almost seven full-time employees. Many also reduced their tool spend by more than half by consolidating vendors under the MDR program.
Simplifying security without sacrificing outcomes
Traditional security operations centers often struggle with fragmented tools, manual workflows, and a lack of around-the-clock expertise. These inefficiencies leave teams chasing alerts rather than driving strategy. Rapid7 MDR solves these problems. Organizations gain continuous coverage from global SOC experts who detect, validate, contain, and remediate threats across attack vectors including endpoints, cloud environments, and on-premises systems. The service combines AI-driven detection with human-led investigation, ensuring accuracy while reducing the noise that drains security resources. Integrated exposure management brings business context into the equation, helping teams focus on the vulnerabilities and risks that truly matter. And with unlimited data ingestion providing predictable pricing, the service scales with the business instead of surprising it with hidden costs.
What customers are saying
The most compelling evidence often comes directly from the people using the service. One IDC respondent described Rapid7 MDR as easy to deploy with the 24/7 coverage being a key differentiator. They also pointed to Rapid7’s multiple integrated solutions which allow small teams to punch above their weight. Another highlighted the business continuity benefits: “We’ve prevented cyberattacks with Rapid7. For us, it’s all about business continuity. Downtime could cost millions per day — that’s the biggest benefit.”
Security as a business enabler
While the immediate benefits of MDR are clear in terms of reduced incidents and faster response, many organizations pointed to an equally important outcome: the freedom for their teams to focus on higher-value work. With threat triage and containment handled by Rapid7 experts, internal staff can direct their attention to governance, compliance, and innovation. This alignment with business priorities strengthens resilience and positions security as a driver of growth, rather than a drag on resources.
Unmatched value
IDC’s research makes the case that Rapid7 MDR is more than a managed service, it’s a strategic investment. By cutting through complexity, preventing costly incidents, and delivering measurable ROI, organizations are turning security into a business advantage. With a five-month payback and a 422% return over three years, Rapid7 MDR provides the clarity, confidence, and impact that security leaders need to both protect and enable their organizations.
- Managed Detection and Response (MDR)
- Security Operations (SOC)