Understanding Security Operations Centres: The Backbone of Modern Cyber Security

In the modern digital age, cyber threats are becoming frequent and advanced. Organisations need a strong defense to protect their data. This is where Security Operations Centres (SOCs) play a large role in safeguarding organisations. But what exactly are SOCs, how do they function, and why are they vital for organisations? Let’s discuss and explore these questions.

What is a SOC?

A Security Operations Centre (SOC) is a centralised facility or team. It is responsible for monitoring, detecting, investigating and responding to cyber security threats. A SOC can be an in-house team of security and IT professionals. It may also be an outsourced team. They work on a shift pattern of 24/7/365. Their aim is to ensure the organisation’s digital assets are not compromised.

SOCs are equipped to bring together people, processes, and technologies in order to safeguard its organisation.

Key Functions of a SOC

SOCs operate with one primary objective: to maintain the security and integrity of an organisation’s digital environment. They operate the following functions to satisfy this objective:

• Incident Response: When a potential incident or threat is detected, the SOC team take immediate action. This action is to respond and mitigate the detected threat, in the effort to prevent damage or further exploitation.
• Monitoring: Continuous surveillance of an organisation’s critical digital assets (networks, systems, data) to detect any suspicious activity. The SOC will collect and store logs from an organisation, mainly their business critical logs. These logs come from various sources, such as firewalls, servers and applications.
• Analysis and Investigation: When an incident is detected, the SOC analysts investigate thoroughly. They aim to understand the nature of the threat. They determine the affected systems and the threat’s source. They also assess the potential impact.
• Threat Intelligence: SOC teams gather and analyse information about potential cyber threats, vulnerabilities and attack techniques. This is a proactive activity to defend against emerging threats and security threats before they become significant issues.

They use a combination of Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), as well as other methods to monitor and manage the organisation’s security posture (Microsoft, n.d).

SIEM is a software application that collects, analyses and alerts on security related events and logs to a centralised location. These events and logs originate from various sources across an organisation.

IDS is a tool that monitors an organisation’s network traffic and system activities. The tool would trigger an alert to the SOC, whenever suspicious or malicious behaviour is detected for investigation.

Type of SOCs

SOCs operate in various models, each of which, tailored to different business needs:

• In-House: Built and managed within organisation, providing full control over operations. However, this requires a significant investment in technology and talent.
• Outsourced: Managed by third-party providers, offering cost-effectiveness and access to experienced professionals without the need for internal setup.
• Hybrid: Combining in-house capabilities with external support for a balanced approach.

Understanding each of these options help organisations select the correct SOC model, based on their budget, resources, and specific requirements.

The Human Element

While advanced tooling and technology is crucial, the success of a SOC is heavily dependent on the people behind it. Skilled security analysts must bring critical thinking, intuition, and adaptability to the table. These are qualities that no tool or technology can replicate.

Continuous professional development is crucial to ensuring SOC teams stay up to date with emerging threats and technologies.

How an Organisation Benefits from a SOCs

Not only is investing in a SOC cyber security best practices; it is a business enabler. For several reasons:

• Increased Incident Response Capability: A dedicated team ensures swift action when security incidents occur. Clear incident response protocols are in place. Overall, this reduces downtime and mitigates potential losses. It also accelerates recovery in the event of a breach, keeping key operations performing as they should, even during crisis.
• Enhanced Security Posture: A dedicated SOC ensures that potential threats are identified and mitigated early. This proactive approach prevents escalation and reduces the risk of costly breaches.
• 24/7 Protection: Malicious attackers don’t follow a 9-5 schedule, like most organisation do. A SOC allows an organisation to deploy continuous monitoring, ensuring threats are addressed around the clock.
• Compliance Support: Many organisations have strict compliance regulations and/or standards (e.g. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), ISO 27001) to adhere to. Integrating a SOC into the organisation assists with satisfying these requirements, avoiding fines and legal issues.
• Cost Saving: Even though setting up a SOC involves an initial investment, it ensures long-term cost savings. Preventing costly breaches and minimizing business disruption make it a worthwhile investment to consider.

Conclusion

In the modern digital world, cyber threats are growing both in volume and sophistication. A Security Operations Centre is an essential asset for any organisation. By providing the key functions including monitoring, analysis and investigation, and response, a SOC provides proactive defense. It strengthens an organisation’s security posture, and provides reassurance to customers of the businesses commitment to security.

It is not a case of IF you experience a security breach, it is a case of WHEN. It is inevitable. Your organisation can prepare to effectively manage and reduce the risk. Consider the implementation of a SOC.

References

Microsoft.com. (n.d). What is a security operations center (SOC)? | Microsoft Security. [online] Available at: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/business/security-101/what-is-a-security-operations-center-soc#areaheading-oce19e2%5BAccessed 26 Mar. 2025].

IBM (2021). Security Operations Center. [online] Ibm.com. Available at: https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/security-operations-center%5BAccessed 26 Mar. 2025].

‌Check Point Software (2020). The Importance of the Security Operations Center (SOC). [online] Check Point Software. Available at: https://www.checkpoint.com/cyber-hub/threat-prevention/what-is-soc/the-importance-of-the-security-operations-center-soc/%5BAccessed 28 Mar. 2025].

‌TechTarget. (n.d.). What is a Security Operations Center (SOC)? [online] Available at: https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/definition/Security-Operations-Center-SOC%5BAccessed 27 Mar. 2025].

‌CyberOne Security. (2019). INFOGRAPHIC: The Roles and Responsibilities of SOC Teams | CyberOne. [online] Available at: https://cyberone.security/infographic-the-roles-and-responsibilities-of-soc-teams/ [Accessed 28 Mar. 2025].

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