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Mean Time to Detect (MTTD)

What is Mean Time to Detect (MTTD)?

The average time it takes for an organisation to discover a security incident or threat. Reducing MTTD is a key objective of security operations, as faster detection limits the damage an attacker can cause.

Information Security

Frameworks that govern mean time to detect (mttd)

NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0View framework →CIS Controls v8View framework →

What the standards actually require on mean time to detect (mttd)

Requirements naming mean time to detect (mttd) across 2 standards, quoted from the control text.

Japan FSA Cybersecurity Guidelines for Financial Institutions1 control

Continuous security monitoring + 24x7 SOC operations are expected per FSA Cybersecurity Guidelines particularly for Tier 2/3 institutions. (1) SOC Operating Models: (a) Internal SOC - dedicated team + tooling;

JP-FSA-CYB-Security-Monitoring-SOC-Operations-SIEM-EDR-MDR-XDR-24x7-Detection-Alert-Triage · Japan FSA Cybersecurity Security Monitoring + SOC 24x7 Operations + SIEM + EDR + MDR + XDR + Detection + Alert Triage + Threat Hunting + Incident Response Integration + Threat Intelligence Integration + UEBA →
NIST SP 800-1371 control

Define ISCM metrics per Section 3.2 covering security control effectiveness + system + organizational metrics + leading and lagging indicators + Cyber-Resilience metrics + KPIs (Mean Time to Detect MTTD + Mean Time to Respond MTTR + Mean Time to Remediate MTTR...

NISTSP137-2 · Monitoring Metrics, Measures, and Frequencies →

Questions people ask about mean time to detect (mttd)

What is Mean Time to Detect (MTTD)?
The average time it takes for an organisation to discover a security incident or threat. Reducing MTTD is a key objective of security operations, as faster detection limits the damage an attacker can cause.
Why is Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) important for compliance?
Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) is a key concept in Information Security. Understanding mean time to detect (mttd) helps organizations meet regulatory requirements, reduce risk, and demonstrate due diligence during audits. Our compliance platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings.
Which compliance frameworks address Mean Time to Detect (MTTD)?
Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) appears in the requirement text of Japan FSA Cybersecurity Guidelines for Financial Institutions, NIST SP 800-137. Across these standards we have identified 2 controls that name it directly, each linked to the control text on the compliance platform.
Where can I learn more about Mean Time to Detect (MTTD)?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how mean time to detect (mttd) applies across different standards and regulations. Our implementation guides provide step-by-step guidance, and the compliance platform offers AI-powered analysis of how this concept maps across 686 frameworks.

See how Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) applies across compliance frameworks

Our platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings. Explore how this concept is addressed across standards.

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Written and maintained by Gerard Blokdyk, The Art of Service.