We see every day in our work that corporate IT is under attack – from simple phishing attacks to complex ransomware attacks. A Security Operations Center (SOC) plays an important role in protecting against these threats. But what exactly is an SOC and why is it so important for companies? In this article, we explain how an SOC works, what its advantages are and which companies benefit from one.
A Security Operations Center, or SOC for short, is a central unit responsible for continuously monitoring and analyzing a company"s IT security posture. Information from various sources, such as firewalls, endpoint detection and response (EDR) systems, and other security systems, flows into the SOC. This data is collected, analyzed, and evaluated to detect and respond to potential security incidents at an early stage.
The SOC permanently monitors a company"s networks and systems. Automated systems identify suspicious activity and generate alerts. Up to 98% of these alerts are automatically processed by systems. Some systems also use AI. A small number of alerts are forwarded to analysts working in the SOC. They manually review and evaluate each alert. If a security incident is confirmed, the analysts can take action, such as isolating affected systems. This process can be customized depending on the criticality of the affected system and the potential consequences of a shutdown. For example, the IT system of an important production line can be exempted from an automatic shutdown because the costs of a minute of downtime would be high.
The main advantages of an SOC are the significant reduction of response time to cyber attacks and the associated minimization of damage. An effective SOC can detect and isolate threats before they spread across the network. This can prevent extensive data loss and business interruption, which can cause significant financial losses. Example: Without an SOC, a hacker could gain access to a computer via a phishing email and then move through the entire IT system from there over a period of several months. Often, the systems are then encrypted and a ransom is demanded in the form of ransomware. With an SOC, there is a high probability that the attacker will be detected on the first computer and that the SOC will automatically isolate the infected computer in the network within seconds. This prevents the hacker from spreading further.
While, in theory, every company would benefit from an SOC, the economic benefit depends heavily on the size of the company. For smaller companies, the costs per endpoint can be higher, which is why an SOC often only makes economic sense from a size of around 100 to 200 employees. However, larger companies with 500 to 600 employees or more almost always benefit from the advantages of an SOC.
A good SOC is characterized by several factors, including the quality of the threat intelligence streams and the security systems used, such as EDR. In addition, the expertise of the analysts is crucial. A high-quality SOC not only detects external threats, but also insider attacks and other anomalies in the network. Analysts are the heart of an SOC. They evaluate security incidents and decide on further action. There are different tiers of analysts:
At Trufflepig Forensics, we offer a state-of-the-art SOC that is active 24/7. Our 24/7 service ensures that your systems are continuously monitored. By working with an internationally renowned partner, we are able to cover all possible usage scenarios and offer you comprehensive protection. Our SOC includes a variety of advanced features and technologies to ensure the security of your IT infrastructure. With our service, we minimize the risks for your company and ensure that you can concentrate on your core business while we keep an eye on your IT security.
A security operations center is an important component of a modern company"s IT security strategy. It enables rapid threat detection and response, reduces the potential for damage, and protects sensitive data. At Trufflepig Forensics, we offer a high-performance SOC that can take your IT security to the next level. For more information on our SOC offering and how we can help, contact us today.
