A security operations center (SOC), also called an information security operations center (ISOC), is a command center where information security professionals monitor, detect, analyze, and respond to cyber security incidents.
The SOC is more like the hub or central collection point for taking telemetry information across an organization’s IT infrastructure for monitoring, analyzing, detecting, and responding to cyberattacks as they happen.
Security operations centers are staffed with security analysts and engineers also managers who oversee security operations whose goal is to detect, analyze, and respond to cybersecurity incidents using a combination of technology solutions and a strong set of processes.
How Does a SOC Work?
The SOC’s primary function is security monitoring and alerting. Threat data are gathered through various means (on-premises, endpoint, and cloud devices) like SIEM, firewall, IDP/IPS, servers, etc. for analysis and interpretation by the SOC team. The SOC team often spends time identifying the conditions that serve as feeding grounds for the bad guys. They work closely with managers and end-users because individuals are the primary target of hackers
What is the importance of a SOC?
Cyberattacks, data breaches are common occurrences of attacks for organizations that have increased and keep increasing over the years. The importance of a SOC includes the following:
- Continuous Monitoring and threat analysis are critical to detecting the first signs of an anomaly since cybercriminals don’t go on break but will always look for a weak spot within the organization to exploit.
- Quick and effective response. Due to continuous monitoring, once an anomaly is detected, the SOC analysts investigate and verify the level of the threat.
- Centralization of hardware and software assets leads to a more holistic, real-time approach to infrastructure security.
- Reduced Cybersecurity Costs. Reducing the amount of time an attacker spends in a system after a potential breach can reduce the effects and costs the breach may incur. Also, SOC teams work diligently to minimize downtime and business disruption during an attack to prevent monetary losses.
- A clear chain of control for systems and data is something that’s crucial for the successful prosecution of cybercriminals.
The SOC must keep up with the latest threat intelligence and leverage this information to inform decisions.