What is a Security Operations Center (SOC)?

A security operations center (SOC) monitors, detects and responds to cybersecurity threats and incidents. It combines people, processes and technology to protect and defend digital assets and attack surfaces.

A managed SOC, or SOC as a Service (SOCaaS), is a cybersecurity solution where a third party provides 24/7 monitoring, threat detection, incident response and security infrastructure management, which frees up in-house resources for more comprehensive protection.

A virtual SOC operates remotely, using cloud-based tools and remote access technologies to monitor and secure networks and systems.

In a distributed SOC, multiple locations are responsible for security. Each site may have SOC capabilities, but they collaborate and share information to strengthen cybersecurity posture.

A dedicated SOC exclusively focuses on security for one organization. It is staffed and equipped to monitor and protect all assets with a best-practice cybersecurity approach.

A command SOC is an advanced SOC for large enterprises or critical infrastructure. It integrates security functions with centralized command and control capabilities to coordinate cyber threat response.

SOC as a Service (SOCaaS) is a cybersecurity service that manages SOC capabilities, security monitoring, threat detection and incident response.

A security operations center monitors networks and systems, identifies suspicious activities or security breaches, investigates incidents and responds quickly to mitigate threats.

Some types of SOCs include in-house, managed (SOCaaS), virtual, distributed, dedicated and command. These meet different needs and operational purposes.

Key components of a SOC include skilled analysts, advanced cybersecurity tools, incident response procedures, threat intelligence, monitoring and logging dashboards and coordinated communication.

Some SOC capabilities include continuous monitoring, threat detection, incident analysis, incident response, vulnerability management, threat intelligence integration and security awareness training.

A SOC can benefit organizations of all sizes and industries by safeguarding assets, protecting data and maintaining business continuity.

A SOC proactively responds to cybersecurity threats by identifying cyber risk, decreasing the chance of data breaches, financial loss, operational disruptions and reputational damage and creating a defense against evolving cyber threats.

Advantages of a SOC include rapid threat detection, improved incident response, reduced security risks, compliance adherence, enhanced security awareness and adaptability to emerging threats.

SOC disadvantages may include high setup costs, resource requirements, identifying false positives and the need for ongoing training and technology updates.

A CSOC, or cybersecurity operations center, is another term for a SOC, emphasizing its role in managing and mitigating cybersecurity risks.

Yes. SOC and CSOC are often used interchangeably for the same cybersecurity operations center.

A network operations center (NOC) focuses on managing network infrastructure, ensuring network availability and performance and troubleshooting network issues. It is different from a SOC, which primarily deals with security.

No. A NOC and SOC are not the same. A NOC manages network infrastructure, while a SOC is dedicated to cybersecurity, monitoring threats and responding to security incidents.

An RSOC, or regional security operations center, serves a specific geographical region to localize threat detection and response.

A GSOC, or global security operations center, has a global reach and monitors and responds to security incidents across an organization’s worldwide operations.

An ISOC, or industrial security operations center, focuses on critical infrastructure and industrial control system cybersecurity to ensure industrial process reliability and safety.

The choice between an in-house or third-party SOC depends on resources, expertise and budget. In-house SOCs offer more control, while third-party options provide specialized skills and cost savings.

A SOC analyst is a cybersecurity professional in a SOC responsible for monitoring security alerts, investigating incidents and responding to threats.

The core members of a SOC team include analysts, incident responders, threat hunters, security engineers and an operational manager.

SecOps, short for security operations, is a collaborative approach that integrates security practices into DevOps processes, ensuring it is a core part of software development and deployment.

DevSecOps combines development (Dev), security (Sec) and operations (Ops), emphasizing the integration of security throughout the software development lifecycle to build secure applications.

A CSIRT, or computer security incident response team, manages and responds to cybersecurity incidents and often closely works with a SOC.

A CIRC, or cyber incident response center, handles and mitigates cybersecurity incidents like a CSIRT.

A CERT, or computer emergency response team, responds to cybersecurity incidents, shares threat intelligence and guides best practices.

Yes, SOCs and CSIRTs are related. Both focus on cybersecurity incident detection, response and collaboration to ensure comprehensive cyber threat defense.

A SIEM, or security information and event management solution, collects and analyzes security incident data from various sources for cyber threat detection and response.

A SIEM is a SOC tool. While a SIEM collects and analyzes security data, a SOC encompasses people, processes and technologies needed for comprehensive cybersecurity.

Key technologies for a SOC include SIEM systems, intrusion detection systems, threat intelligence feeds, endpoint detection and response tools and advanced analytics platforms.

Useful frameworks for a SOC include NIST Cybersecurity Framework, MITRE ATT&CK, ISO 27001 and CIS Critical Security Controls, which provide guidelines for enhancing cybersecurity posture.