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The SOC, or Security Operations Center, is an essential structure for monitoring and analyzing security incidents in real time. It offers a global and comprehensive view of the organization's operations, enabling a quick and efficient response to potential cyber threats.
This center operates based on advanced technologies and specialized teams to protect information and assets against digital attacks. With the acceleration of digital transformation, the number of threats has grown exponentially.
According to data from a Deloitte survey carried out with 122 executives and decision makers who work in the technological development sector of their companies, 41% said they have already suffered from cyber attacks in their organizations and 89% reported having increased investments in the area.
It is also worth mentioning that AI Trust, Risk and Security Management was the main strategic technological trend, highlighted by the Gartner study for 2024.
Given this scenario, it is increasingly necessary for companies to think about implementing a SOC as part of their cybersecurity strategy.
In this article, we will cover all the concepts on the topic and the main points for a successful implementation of a Security Operations Center in your company.
What is SOC? Understand the concept
SOC is the acronym for Security Operations Center , or Security Operations Center in Portuguese. It is a facility where information security experts monitor, evaluate and defend an organization's computers, networks and data against cyber threats.
A SOC team is constantly analyzing and responding to security incidents, using a set of technological solutions and well-defined processes.
SOC main features:
- Continuous Monitoring: monitoring is carried out 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to ensure that threats can be identified and mitigated quickly;
- Incident Management: includes the detection and analysis of suspicious activities, the mitigation of ongoing attacks and the rapid recovery after security incidents;
- Threat Intelligence: a SOC uses data about existing and emerging threats to improve the organization's defenses;
- Technologies Used: makes use of advanced tools, such as intrusion detection systems (IDS), intrusion prevention systems (IPS), firewall , security information and event management system (SIEM) and antivirus and anti-virus software malware.
Thus, the effectiveness of a SOC is directly related to its ability to evolve and adapt to new threat patterns, which requires continuous investment in technology, processes and skills of the team of specialists.
What are the types of SOC?
SOCs are fundamental to the cybersecurity of organizations. There are internal and external SOC models, in addition to cloud implementation that offers flexibility and scalability. See details below:
Internal SOC vs. External SOC
Internal SOC is characterized by building a dedicated team and infrastructure within the company itself . Advantages include:
- Direct control over security operations;
- In-depth knowledge of the organizational environment and culture.
External SOC
refers to the outsourcing of cybersecurity services to a specialized company. The benefits are:
- Access to a broader team of experts and advanced technologies;
- Potentially reduced operating costs due to economies of scale.
Cloud SOC
Cloud SOC is a modern solution that uses cloud infrastructure to host and manage security services. Its main features:
- Scalability and flexibility to adapt to changing needs;
- Reduced hardware maintenance costs and ease of software updates.
How does a SOC work in practice?
Activity monitoring
Activity monitoring is the backbone of a SOC. Therefore, this role includes continuous observation of networks, systems and data assets.
The use of advanced SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) allows real-time data collection and analysis. These systems can be represented as follows:
- Data collection : event records and logs from various sources;
- Correlation : analysis of related events to identify patterns;
- Alerts : Automated notifications about suspicious activity.
In this way, these processes seek to ensure full visibility so that any sign of malicious activity can be quickly detected.
Threat detection
Threat detection is vital for identifying potential security incidents before they cause damage. The SOC uses a variety of tools and techniques to identify threat signals, including:
- Behavioral analysis: observing deviations from typical behavior that may indicate a threat;
- Virus and Malware Signatures: Comparing Files and Traffic Streams to Databases of Known Signatures.
Detected threats are then prioritized based on their severity, which helps direct the appropriate, agile and efficient response to each security incident.
Why implement a SOC and why is it important?
The implementation of a SOC is essential for quickly detecting and reacting to cybersecurity incidents, minimizing negative impacts and maintaining compliance with current regulations. See below some important questions:
Cybersecurity
Continuous Monitoring: a SOC offers 24/7 surveillance, identifying threats in real time and reducing exposure time to risks.
Advanced Threat Detection: With event analysis and the use of artificial intelligence, a SOC can detect sophisticated attacks and act proactively.
Incident Response: SOC specialized staff are trained to respond to security incidents, executing complete and sophisticated action plans to mitigate damage.
Compliance and regulations
Adherence to Security Standards: the SOC helps the organization comply with standards such as ISO 27001, PCI DSS, among others, maintaining aligned and updated security practices.
Legal Compliance: ensures that the company meets legal requirements related to data protection, such as the LGPD (General Data Protection Law), avoiding penalties.
Step by step on how to successfully implement a SOC
Successfully implementing a SOC requires a detailed strategy, ranging from goal setting to continuous improvement after implementation.
Below are some steps to consider:
Defining Objectives and Scope
First of all, it is essential to define what the SOC should achieve. This involves setting clear goals for how to detect and respond to security incidents effectively. The scope must consider the assets to be protected and the threats to be monitored.
Planning and Strategy
Creating a action plan is essential. It should include risk prioritization methodologies, security policies, and an implementation schedule. A robust security strategy takes into account relevant compliances and regulations.
Infrastructure and Architecture
The infrastructure of a SOC must be resilient and scalable. The architecture needs to include solutions for monitoring , data analysis and information storage It must be ensured that the technology is compatible with the defined objectives.
Team and Training
A SOC is only efficient when its team is efficient. It is essential to invest in hiring specialized companies or highly qualified professionals. Training should be regularly updated to cover the latest security and .
Technical Implementation
tools and security systems are installed . This step must be carried out with attention to detail to ensure that all solutions are optimized and integrated correctly.
Monitoring and Response
After technical implementation, the SOC must monitor activities for signs of compromise. It is important to have incident response procedures in place to deal with any detected threats quickly and efficiently.
Analysis and Continuous Improvement
SOC performance should be regularly analyzed to identify areas for improvement. Continuous improvement involves adjusting processes , updating tools , and refining defense strategies to stay ahead of threat actors.
Common challenges in SOC implementation
Implementing a SOC involves multiple complexities. Let's look at some of them:
- Qualified human resources are scarce and extremely essential. Today, professionals with cybersecurity experience are limited in number on the market;
- Budget and financing represent a significant obstacle. Allocating adequate funds for advanced tools and ongoing maintenance is an ongoing challenge;
- Technology integration requires attention. SOCs must efficiently integrate heterogeneous and legacy tools without compromising operability.
- Security Policy is essential, but is often inconsistent or poorly defined, complicating governance and compliance;
- Incident Response Times need to be agile. Delays can result in significant damage.
Relevant facts include:
- Scale : adapting to growing digital threats and increasing data volumes can overwhelm non-scalable systems;
- Alert Management : A high number of false positive alerts can lead to fatigue and human error.
Have the best SOC on the market with Skyone
Now that you know what a SOC is and the importance of implementing one in your company, you need to know that we, at Skyone , are the perfect partner to carry out monitoring and cybersecurity for your company.
With us, you have protection against hacker attacks, with a 24×7 operation made up of several information security specialists, who monitor events, threats, vulnerabilities and work to mitigate, remediate and contain attacks or malicious behavior.
Want to know more about how our SOC works? Request a demo of our platform!
Conclusion
When we analyzed the concept of SOC, the complexity and importance of this structure in information security became visible. Companies seeking to protect their digital assets benefit from a SOC, ensuring the detection and response to security incidents in an agile and effective .
The adoption of this technology demonstrates organizational commitment to protecting against cyber threats , establishing a proactive defensive posture.
Do you want to know what are the main threats that exist today in the digital environment and that can bring risks to your business? Continue reading this article!
