If you’re solely or partially responsible for your organisation’s cybersecurity, you’ll more than likely be aware of a Cyber Security Operations Centre (CSOC). This is an important system, put in place to help businesses fight cyberattacks.
If you’re unsure about CSOC’s, this article is for you. We outline what a Cyber Security Operations Centre is, what they do and how they can help your organisation. Read on to learn more.
What is a SOC Service?
A Security Operations Centre (SOC) is used to protect organisations from cyberattacks through the detection of suspicious activity and monitoring of any cyber threats.
A CSOC service proactively monitors an organisation’s estate and receives and analyses large amounts of real-time data to gain visibility of activities across this environment.
Two key services delivered by a CSOC are Managed Detection and Reponse (MDR) and Managed Extended Detection and Response (MXDR), with MDR protecting endpoints, whilst MXDR provides more extensive coverage. Gartner predicts that by 2025, 60% of organisations will be using MDR services.
The security experts overseeing the CSOC are alerted to activities that are unusual, suspicious, or pose a potential threat to the organisation. They can then make fast and informed decisions about the necessary preventative or remedial actions that need to be taken.
CSOCs are either provided as an outsourced service to customers by an expert partner, or can be an in-house function for larger organisations with more resources. CSOC services are suitable for any organisation that is a potential target for cybercriminals – which is most organisations, of all sizes, in every industry.
Cyber criminals will strategically plan attacks when your IT network is most vulnerable, such as out-of-hours or on public holidays, and therefore the best CSOC’s offer 24x7x365 coverage.
In fact, according to the 2023 Active Adversary Report for Tech Leaders, just under 10% of ransomware attacks take place during daytime working hours. Rapid, round-the-clock threat response through automation, analyst investigation and containment ensure that any successful attacks have far less impact.
What Does a SOC Do?
A SOC is typically used to do the five following things:
- Regular testing
- Detect and monitor
- Investigate
- Respond
- Prevent
1. Regular Testing
SOC analysts will use a Security Operations Centre to regularly test different resources within an organisation’s infrastructure. Keeping on top of potential vulnerabilities means that organisations can be proactive when it comes to their cybersecurity. These tests include penetration tests that simulate attacks on one or more systems.
2. Detect and Monitor
Most Security Operations Centres offer around the clock security monitoring. In the modern world, where cybercrime is rife, this should be of the utmost importance to organisations looking to protect their clients, employees and data.
Without a SOC, firms run the risk of being hit by cyber criminals during the night without having an active response in place.
3. Investigate
Once potential threats have been detected or a cyberattack has taken place, the Security Operations Centre will be responsible for outlining the technical vulnerabilities that granted hackers access to the system. This can include things such as:
- Poor password hygiene
- A lack of policy implementation
Knowing the ‘Why’ is really important in order to stop repeat attacks taking place.
4. Respond
After finding out what issues or weaknesses allowed a hack to take place, a response needs implementing. Cyber Security Operation Centres help to prepare and implement your response in a more effective way than if you were to try and do this without one.
If you have the right people in charge of your CSOC, you’ll be well on your way to bulletproofing your organisation’s assets.
5. Prevent
After working with a CSOC for a period of time, you’ll have taken the right steps to preventing cyberattacks against your organisation. Things won’t be perfect at the start, but after a while, your vulnerabilities will have been ironed out and the relevant processes and procedures will be in place should your assets get targeted by cyber criminals in the future.
Benefits of a CSOC
There are numerous benefits of a CSOC including:
- Combat increased cyberattacks
- Fast response times
- Increased customer trust
Combat Increased Cyberattacks
In a world where cyberattacks are hitting businesses thick and fast, it’s important to set up a great defence mechanism. Having a CSOC means that you’ll be in a better place to defend your company’s assets against oncoming threats.
Fast Response Times
Without a CSOC, your response time to cyberattacks will be longer and in some cases, this can be critical for your system’s resources and organisation’s reputation. Having an effective CSOC in place means that you’ll be both proactive and reactive when cyberattacks come your way.
Increased Customer Trust
By having a CSOC in place, you in turn increase customer trust. If a cyberattack were to hit your organisation, you’ll be in a much better position to protect assets, meaning that any valuable customer or employee information will be safe from criminals.
Customer trust is a key trait of a successful business, and something that every company should strive for.
Should You Consider SOC as a Service?
When it comes to deciding whether you should outsource your SOC, it primarily comes down to your capacity. If you have the budget and staff available to operate a SOC, it’s beneficial to run one in-house.
If you’re not in the fortunate position to be able to do this, outsourcing your security operations centre is a great option. Working with a company that has years of experience running SOC’s, means that you can trust that your organisation’s resources are in good hands.
Are You Interested in Learning More About a CSOC?
Download Our Cyber Security Operations Centre Guide
To learn even more about Cyber Security Operations Centres, we’ve put together a detailed guide that you can download to your smartphone or computer. Learn even more about one of the most important aspects of modern day cybersecurity.
Download our CSOC Guide
