MTTD: Mean Time to Detect in Cybersecurity

Metrics
ByDecipherU Editorial
How is it pronounced?
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MTTD stands for Mean Time to Detect. MTTD measures the average time between when a threat first appears in the environment and when the security team identifies it. Lower MTTD reduces attacker dwell time and limits damage.

How MTTD Is Used in Cybersecurity

SOC analysts track MTTD to evaluate how quickly their detection tools and processes catch threats. Threat intelligence analysts work to lower MTTD by tuning detection rules and adding new indicator feeds. CISOs benchmark MTTD against industry averages to assess program maturity.

Cybersecurity Roles That Work with MTTD

Related Cybersecurity Acronyms

Frequently asked questions

What does MTTD stand for?

MTTD stands for Mean Time to Detect. MTTD measures the average time between when a threat first appears in the environment and when the security team identifies it. Lower MTTD reduces attacker dwell time and limits damage.

What is MTTD used for in cybersecurity?

SOC analysts track MTTD to evaluate how quickly their detection tools and processes catch threats. Threat intelligence analysts work to lower MTTD by tuning detection rules and adding new indicator feeds. CISOs benchmark MTTD against industry averages to assess program maturity.

Last verified: April 2026?Report an inaccuracy