Cyber threats have evolved to the point where firewalls and antivirus software, although still essential, are no longer enough to completely protect an organisation. The cyber security toolkit has expanded alongside these threats to better combat them, with one increasingly popular option being a Security Operations Centre (SOC). In this blog we will discuss what is a SOC and what sets a good SOC provider apart from others.
It is not uncommon for organisations to put their cyber security needs into the hands of an individual or group that has other duties, such as an IT manager who will balance cyber security alongside anything from tech support and software licence. The trouble with this strategy is that they may lack they specialist knowledge required to effectively deal with cyber threats. Alternatively, even if they are knowledgeable enough, their role may mean that they have a more stretched workload, unsuited to maintaining a continually strong cyber security posture.
One solution is to utilise a Security Operations Centre, otherwise known simply as a SOC. This is a dedicated security team that can deal with an organisation’s ever evolving cyber security issues, through either employing an in-house team or utilising the services of an external provider’s SOC unit, perhaps as part of a broader IT or cyber managed service. Hybrid models also exist where the monitoring is handed off to ensure full 24x7 coverage. A SOC consists of a variety of cyber professionals that combine their skills relating to threat detection, analysis, hunting and response to monitor IT infrastructure and accounts 24/7 and deal with security incidents in real-time. A SOC is also largely synonymous with a Blue Team, who defend an organisation, as opposed to a Red Team who simulate cyber attacks to test defences and expose gaps. These two teams often collaborate in exercises, in what is known as Purple Teaming.
To learn more about the work of Red, Blue, and Purple Teams, you can download our infographic here.
Nearly every organisation faces some level of cyber risk, however the level and types of risk differ between organisations:
Large enterprises: With complex IT infrastructures, disparate access, larger internet footprint and vast amounts of data, large companies are prime targets for cyber criminals. A SOC helps manage these complexities and provides a centralised proactive defence strategy, ensuring that cyber threats are detected and addressed before they cause significant damage.
Regulated industries: Companies in sectors like healthcare, finance, and e-commerce must comply with strict data protection regulations such as HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR. A SOC can help ensure that these organisations are compliant with legal requirements and can effectively respond to any security incidents.
Businesses with sensitive data: Organisations that handle personally identifiable information, financial records, intellectual property, or customer data face increased risk. A SOC is essential for protecting these valuable assets from data breaches or cyberattacks, which could lead to financial losses or reputational damage.
Organisations experiencing rapid growth: As a business expands, its digital footprint increases, making it more susceptible to cyber threats. A SOC can scale with the organisation, adapting to new security challenges and ensuring that its growing infrastructure remains secure.
SMBs seeking cost-effective cyber security: Small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) may not have the resources to hire an in-house cyber security team – something that cyber criminals may anticipate, thinking they are an easy target. However, that does not mean protection is out of reach. SOC as a service (SOCaaS) offers an affordable solution, providing enterprise-level protection without the need for significant investment in cyber security infrastructure or personnel.
Organisations with limited cyber security expertise: If an organisation lacks internal cyber security specialists or has a general IT team juggling multiple roles, a SOC provides a dedicated team with the right expertise to handle evolving cyber threats, ensuring robust security management and response.
High-risk industries: Sectors like energy, utilities, and government agencies, which are often targeted by nation-state actors or hackers with specific motives, greatly benefit from the 24/7 vigilance and rapid response capabilities of a SOC. These industries require constant monitoring due to the critical nature of their operations.
In short, any organisation concerned with cyber security, risk from financial compromise & reputational damage and are looking to stay ahead of the evolving cyber threats—whether due to size, industry, or security maturity—should consider implementing a SOC to protect its data, reputation, and bottom line.
Arguably the most important factor when determining a SOC provider, as it can be prudent to choose providers with a strong cyber security track record and deep knowledge of your industry's challenges and regulations. An experienced provider offers valuable insights from handling diverse cyber security incidents, ensuring effective protection against emerging threats.
To ensure an even spread of expertise, any good SOC should include these key roles:
Incident Responders: Investigate and mitigate security incidents swiftly, mitigating damage to the organisation.
Threat Analysts: Monitor networks for potential cyber threats using Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems.
Threat Intelligence Experts: Collect and analyse data to predict emerging threats. These roles require specialised skills in problem-solving, pattern recognition, and dedication to delivering high-quality service.
Any self-respecting SOC provider will not leave gaps in the defensive process. Proactive threat intelligence is crucial for staying ahead of cyber threats. A strong Managed SOC provider should offer real-time threat feeds, dark web monitoring, and threat hunting capabilities to detect emerging risks early. This allows analysts to quickly identify and mitigate potential security threats before they impact your organisation.
24/7 monitoring and support are vital, as cyber threats can strike anytime. A managed SOC should continuously monitor data from firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and endpoints to detect threats. Additionally, vulnerability discovery, threat hunting, and post-incident activities, such as remediation and lessons learned, are essential to maintaining ongoing security and improving future responses.
When an incident occurs, rapid response is essential. One should evaluate the provider’s incident response plan, including escalation procedures, communication protocols, and containment strategies. A well-defined process ensures minimal disruption and timely resolution. Incident analysis and triage, along with effective vulnerability remediation, are key to managing security breaches and eliminating threats.
A successful SOC should always seek to improve its operations by evaluating processes, tools, and technologies. Regular post-incident reviews are essential to identify lessons learned and refine incident response procedures.
The SOC team must also have ongoing access to training and development to stay current with evolving threats and technologies. Training should cover areas like threat intelligence, incident response, and emerging security trends. Encouraging participation in security conferences and events further helps the team stay updated on best practices and industry advancements, ensuring the SOC remains effective and adaptable in an ever-changing security landscape.
A SOC team should ideally take part in continuous learning with other departments within their cyber security organisation. Once an incident occurs, it never needs to happen again, as the solutions can be applied across the entire client base before they face the same threat. For example, at CSA Cyber, even if you are not a customer of our Red Teaming services, the SOC team is always learning from the work of the Red Team in their other projects.
A robust technology stack is essential for a managed SOC provider to monitor and respond effectively to security threats. Evaluate providers based on their use of advanced technologies like AI-driven threat detection, behavioural analytics, and automation, which enable proactive threat hunting and rapid incident response.
Ask about their tools for logging and analysing security data, detecting suspicious activity, and continuous network monitoring. They should be able to describe cutting-edge and reliable technologies that are suited to dealing with threats that your organisation face.
Compliance with industry regulations is crucial in today’s environment. Ensure your managed SOC provider can adhere to the requirements of relevant regulations such as GDPR or PCI DSS. SOC Providers with certifications such as ISO 27001 and CREST demonstrate a commitment to security best practices and going beyond the minimum legal requirements.
The relationship between compliance and SOC should also extend to the SOC client. Navigating complex regulations can be challenging without dedicated resources. SOC providers offering compliance support can help your organisation stay aligned with data protection laws, reducing risks associated with non-compliance.
Modern SOC tools enhance compliance by offering real-time infrastructure mapping and reporting. These capabilities help businesses streamline regulatory requirements and generate on-demand compliance reports, ensuring they consistently meet industry standards.
When considering managed SOC services, it's important to balance cost-effectiveness with security needs. Evaluate the provider’s pricing structure to ensure it fits your budget while delivering a tangible return on investment (ROI). Look beyond initial costs to consider long-term benefits, including enhanced security, reduced downtime, and protection against financial losses from cyber incidents.
Another factor is not only your financial status now, but in the future. As your business grows, so should your cyber security. Choose a provider that offers scalable and flexible services tailored to your organisation’s size, industry, and evolving needs. Whether you’re a start-up or a multinational, the provider should adapt to your unique requirements.
Every organisation has specific security challenges. Select a managed SOC provider that can customise services to address your unique compliance needs, industry standards, and internal policies, ensuring they provide the necessary protection as your business evolves.
Whether you are already a client or still in the process of deciding, a SOC provider should not be secretive. Customer references and testimonials from current or past clients should be available. This provides insights into the provider’s reliability, responsiveness, and overall service quality. Evaluating case studies and independent reviews can also highlight the provider's success in addressing security challenges for businesses like yours.
Clear and frequent communication is crucial in a security partnership. Opt for a provider that offers transparent reporting, regular updates, and actionable insights tailored to your operations. A strong reporting framework, with key performance indicators (KPIs) like mean time to detect (MTTD) and mean time to respond (MTTR), ensures you can measure and improve service effectiveness.
Additionally, effective collaboration is essential. The SOC should work closely with internal departments like IT and legal while maintaining partnerships with external entities, such as law enforcement and other security organisations, to ensure a coordinated and efficient incident response.
A Security Operations Centre (SOC) is a crucial part of any modern cyber security strategy, delivering ongoing monitoring, threat detection, and swift incident response. By strengthening an organisation's security framework and ensuring compliance, a SOC plays a key role in safeguarding vital assets and minimising risks.
CSA Cyber’s SOC services provide expert-driven, all-encompassing protection to shield your business from emerging cyber threats. Our fully certified and compliant team have decades of experience across the public and private sectors, utilising their knowledge to collaborate with your organisation to address your cyber security needs.
Reach out today to discover how we can support your organisation’s security needs.