SOCs are command centres for cybersecurity specialists responsible for monitoring, analysing, and defending a company from cyberattacks. Internet traffic, internal network infrastructure, PCs, servers, endpoint devices, databases, applications, and IoT devices are all under constant surveillance in the SOC. It is not uncommon for the SOC staff to collaborate with other teams or departments, but they are normally self-contained with cybersecurity experts. The majority of SOCs are staffed in shifts that work round-the-clock to keep an eye on network activity and minimize threats. It is possible to build a SOC in-house or to outsource it fully or in part to a third party.
How does a SOC work?
From host systems and apps to network and security devices such as firewalls and antivirus solutions, the SOC analyses security data generated throughout the IT infrastructure of the enterprise.
The Security Operations Centre combines a wide range of cutting-edge tools with the expertise of experienced cybersecurity professionals to perform the following critical functions:
- Monitoring, detecting, investigating, and prioritizing security events
- Malware and forensic investigations are part of the incident response management process.
- Management of threat information (ingestion, production, curation, and dissemination)
- Assessment and control of vulnerabilities in light of potential risks (notably, the prioritization of patching)
- hunting for threats
- The management and upkeep of security equipment
- Data and metrics for reporting and management of compliance
What tools are in a SOC?
Cybersecurity analysts can use a variety of tools in the SOC’s broad technology stack to constantly monitor the IT infrastructure for suspicious activity. To identify, categorize, and analyse incidents and events, the members of the security team stationed in the Security Operations Centre employ these technologies.
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The following are essential tools in the SOC technological stack:
- Security and Event Management System
As a result of SIEM’s capacity to correlate rules against huge amounts of diverse data to identify threats, the SOC is built on these tools. To make SIEM more useful, threat intelligence is used to help prioritize and contextualize the warnings that are generated.
- The finding of assets
Having a list of all the systems and tools running in your environment might help you better grasp what you have. It allows you to identify the organization’s most vital systems and define the order in which security controls should be implemented.
- Detection of intrusions
Intrusion detection systems (IDS) are critical tools for security operations centres (SOCs) because they allow them to detect attacks in their early phases. Typically, they operate by identifying established patterns of assault using intrusion signatures.
- Behavioural monitoring
To help security teams develop baselines, UEBA, which is often added to the SIEM platform, uses behaviour modelling and machine learning to identify security threats.
- Identifying potential threats
To keep your environment safe, you need to know where an intruder can get into your network. Security teams must conduct a thorough examination of the systems to identify and respond to any potential security breaches. Periodic vulnerability assessments are also required to demonstrate compliance with some certifications and requirements.
Security Operations Centres Have Many Advantages
Through constant monitoring and analysis of network behaviour and cyber intelligence results, a SOC can increase security issue detection. SOC teams can notice and respond to security events earlier by continuously monitoring network activity throughout the organization’s networks. In an efficient cybersecurity incident response, time is one of the most important factors.
In the effort to protect themselves against incidents and incursions regardless of source, time of day, or type of assault, companies have a considerable edge thanks to the 24/7 SOC monitoring. Detection times are getting shorter, making it easier for companies to stay on top of emerging dangers and thereby reduce their exposure.
SOCs have many advantages, including:
- Continual surveillance and examination of any unusual activities.
- Improved response times to incidents and methods for incident management
- The gap between when a concession is made and when it is discovered has been reduced.
- Centralized software and hardware resources provide for a more comprehensive security strategy.
- The MITRE ATT&CK methodology, for example, can be used to detect and classify hostile strategies and techniques through effective communication and collaboration.
- Costs linked with security incidents can be reduced
- Security operations will be more transparent and controllable.
- Data utilized in cybercrime forensics are protected by an established chain of custody.
Security Operations Centres face many obstacles.
All facets of the organization’s digital security are now under the purview of the SOC, which is becoming increasingly difficult to manage. Developing and sustaining a robust security operations centre (SOC) can be a challenge for many enterprises.
Among the most common issues are:
Volume
An organization’s most common security difficulty is the sheer volume of alerts it receives. Many of these require both high-tech technologies and human resources to properly classify, prioritize, and deal with potential security risks. Some risks may be mislabelled or overlooked if there are too many notifications. In light of this, the need for modern monitoring and automation systems and a team of qualified cybersecurity professionals are highlighted in this statement.
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Complexity
The complexity of protecting the company and responding to attacks has grown because of the changing nature of the business, the greater usage of cloud technologies, and other factors. When it comes to protecting an organisation from cyberattacks, simple solutions like firewalls are no longer sufficient. To achieve an adequate level of security, a solution that incorporates technology, people, and processes must be developed, implemented, and maintained.
Cost
It takes a large amount of time and money to set up a SOC. As the threat landscape evolves and demands frequent updates, upgrades, and education of the cybersecurity workforce, keeping it up to date can be even more difficult. Moreover, few firms have the in-house expertise necessary to keep up with the ever-changing threat landscape. Security service providers (MSSPs, for example) are frequently used by many enterprises to assure dependable outcomes without requiring major internal technological or human capital investments.
An acute scarcity of skilled workers.
The scarcity of qualified cybersecurity personnel makes it difficult to develop an in-house security solution. A worldwide shortage of cybersecurity professionals is making it difficult to recruit and retain these experts. Security operations could be negatively affected by personnel turnover in a cybersecurity company.
Conclusion
It is the job of the security operations centre (SOC) to monitor and analyse an organization’s security posture on an ongoing basis. SOC workers work closely with incident response teams to ensure that security vulnerabilities are addressed as soon as they are discovered.
Read More:
Benefits Of A Security Operations Centre
THE TRUE COST OF A SECURITY OPERATIONS CENTER (SOC)
