How to Evaluate and Choose a Managed EDR Solution for Your MSP?

Key Takeaways:

  • A true MSP-ready managed endpoint detection and response (EDR) integrates operations, is built on a multi-tenant platform, supports MSP workflows, and includes human-driven SOC support.

  • MSPs adopting MSP‑centric EDR solutions gain from streamlined operations, reduced alert fatigue, and faster incident resolution.

  • Huntress is built specifically for MSPs with a multi-tenant platform, behaviour-based detection, a 24/7 SOC, PSA/RMM integrations, and white-label reporting.

Deciding on the right cybersecurity tools is key when you choose managed EDR for your MSP, and it involves more than just assessing threat detection performance. You need operational efficiency, commercial fit, and true multi-tenant functionality. You also need actionable alerts and pricing that fits service margins. However, many vendors focus on enterprise direct sales and treat MSP partnerships as secondary, or more accurately, as an afterthought with a partner portal.

When evaluating solutions, MSPs need to prioritize behavioral detection over signature-matching, multi-tenant platforms with deep PSA/RMM integrations, true 24/7 SOC coverage with expert analysts (not just tier-1 script followers), and commercial terms that protect service margins through fixed-rate pricing and co-branding options. Here’s what to look for when evaluating managed EDR solutions.




How to Evaluate and Choose a Managed EDR Solution for Your MSP?

Key Takeaways:

  • A true MSP-ready managed endpoint detection and response (EDR) integrates operations, is built on a multi-tenant platform, supports MSP workflows, and includes human-driven SOC support.

  • MSPs adopting MSP‑centric EDR solutions gain from streamlined operations, reduced alert fatigue, and faster incident resolution.

  • Huntress is built specifically for MSPs with a multi-tenant platform, behaviour-based detection, a 24/7 SOC, PSA/RMM integrations, and white-label reporting.

Deciding on the right cybersecurity tools is key when you choose managed EDR for your MSP, and it involves more than just assessing threat detection performance. You need operational efficiency, commercial fit, and true multi-tenant functionality. You also need actionable alerts and pricing that fits service margins. However, many vendors focus on enterprise direct sales and treat MSP partnerships as secondary, or more accurately, as an afterthought with a partner portal.

When evaluating solutions, MSPs need to prioritize behavioral detection over signature-matching, multi-tenant platforms with deep PSA/RMM integrations, true 24/7 SOC coverage with expert analysts (not just tier-1 script followers), and commercial terms that protect service margins through fixed-rate pricing and co-branding options. Here’s what to look for when evaluating managed EDR solutions.




What is EDR in MSP terms?

EDR protects your managed workstations and servers from malicious attacks through behavioral analysis, not just signature matching. It detects suspicious actions like never-before-seen processes that may indicate malware execution. Behavioral detection is critical when protecting hundreds or thousands of MSP customers because ransomware operators modify code to evade signatures, but their behavior remains consistent. (Criminals aren't as creative as they think!)

Must-have EDR features for MSPs

Here’s what separates enterprise-focused tools from MSP-ready solutions:

  • Antivirus interoperability: Works alongside existing AV solutions without conflicts or performance issues. Most MSPs already provide antivirus as baseline protection, so EDR should complement, and not replace, your current AV stack.

  • Behavioral detection: Detects threats based on behavior and indicators of compromise that signature-based tools miss. A top EDR solution should detect behavioral anomalies, including unknown malware, persistence, privilege escalation, and lateral movement, not just well-documented threats. 

  • Isolation and rollback capabilities: Isolation prevents threat actors and malware from spreading by restricting compromised endpoint communication. Rollback restores affected systems to previous states depending on the threat, e.g., ransomware. While most managed EDR solutions offer isolation and rollback, implementation quality and response speed vary by vendor.

Live response and visibility: Remote endpoint access lets you collect forensic data without on-site visits. This is important when managing endpoints across dozens or hundreds of client sites.


MSP operations and workflow efficiency

Your clients number in the dozens, hundreds, or maybe even more. You need a multi-tenant platform, client data segregation, templated policy workflows, and deep PSA/RMM integrations. If you don't get this, you'll spend hours per alert watching your margins erode in real-time. That’s almost as painful as ransomware itself.

Your MSP's managed EDR solution should include:

  • Fully featured, multi-tenant platform: Console-level views of all clients with drill-down capability into specific endpoints.

  • Segregation of client data: Adds protection layers between customer environments and ensures compliance with data handling requirements.

  • Security policies and remediation: Role-based access controls (RBAC) so service desk, security operations, and on-site personnel can participate with appropriate access.

  • PSA/RMM integrations: Automatic ticket generation, not manual administrative work.

  • Policy templates: Let MSPs build a baseline security configuration once, then apply it to multiple clients instead of manually configuring settings for each one.


SOC and support coverage you can trust

If your managed EDR vendor claims 24/7 SOC threat detection and response, and support, ask questions. There’s a world of difference between trained security analysts and first-tier support who follow scripts they probably don’t understand. Many MSPs pay for solutions that provide minimal assistance and leave them with the exact incident response duties they paid to offload. Oh, the irony. 

Managed EDR with 24/7 human triage provides:

  • 24/7 detection, triage, and response: Analysts determine alert severity, contain and remediate threats, and provide actionable guidance to recover from an incident. 

  • Clarity of communication: SOC analysts who interpret and explain findings in easy-to-understand language

  • Clear handoff procedures: Defined containment decision-makers, escalation timeframes, and automatic versus on-request evidence collection.

  • Evidence collection: Automated forensic data capture and documentation that supports client compliance requirements and insurance claims.

  • Playbook alignment: Investigation and remediation processes tailored to client requirements, e.g., for regulated industries like healthcare and financial services.



Commercial fit and business model alignment

The right managed EDR vendor provides commercial terms that align with your MSP service model and protect your margins.

Pricing structure matters

Some vendors use consumption-based pricing that becomes unpredictable as your client base grows. Run scenarios for typical client sizes, for example, 20, 50, or 200 endpoints. Server protection often carries separate rates. If you sell fixed-price packages, you need fixed-rate agreements that won't undermine margins when clients add devices mid-contract. 

According to MSP industry data, channel revenue is expected to jump about 13% in 2025 (hitting roughly $595 billion USD worldwide), largely because MSPs are doubling down on security-first offerings like managed EDR. 

Billing flexibility simplifies operations

Look for consolidated monthly invoicing across all clients, custom billing cycles that align with your contracts, and options for both annual prepayment and monthly billing. This will make your entire finance team happy.

Co-branding capabilities affect client perception

White-labeled reporting, customizable portals, and removal of vendor branding from client-facing communications make your MSP the security provider.

Migration support determines deployment success

Your vendor should provide end-to-end assistance when transitioning from another EDR platform, including tools to map data between systems, dedicated resources throughout the process, and help with uninstalling or working alongside previous EDR components. 

Many enterprise-first EDR vendors are built for direct sales rather than MSPs, and it shows: they lack multi-tenant workflows, impose manual admin burdens, and offer limited human triage. Our MSP-centric model provides built-in multi-tenant controls, streamlined operations, and real 24/7 analyst support. Huntress is a partner built for your world, not one retrofitted from the enterprise.



Making the right choice for your MSP

The Huntress Managed EDR solution is designed specifically for MSP operations. We offer behavior-based detection, 24/7 managed SOC coverage, full PSA and RMM platform support, and automated administrative workflows. We also provide flexible white-label reporting options that remove our branding from client-facing security reports.

Our solution works with how MSPs actually operate. Compare us to your current EDR options and see how we meet your MSP requirements. Book a demo today




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