A SOC is a centralized facility within an organization that is responsible for monitoring, detecting, responding to, and mitigating cybersecurity threats.

A SOC is crucial for maintaining a proactive and vigilant cybersecurity posture. It helps organizations detect and respond to security incidents in real-time, reducing the impact of potential breaches.

A SOC performs various functions, including continuous monitoring, incident detection and response, analysis of security events, threat intelligence integration, and continuous improvement of security processes.

SOCs use advanced technologies such as intrusion detection systems (IDS), security information and event management (SIEM) tools, and other monitoring solutions to detect anomalies, suspicious activities, and potential security threats.

Threat intelligence provides information about the latest cyber threats, vulnerabilities, and attack techniques. A SOC uses this intelligence to enhance its ability to proactively defend against emerging risks.

A SOC responds to security incidents by initiating an incident response plan, which includes containment, eradication, and recovery efforts. The goal is to minimize the impact of a security breach and restore normal operations.

An in-house SOC is operated and managed by the organization internally, while a managed SOC (MSOC) is outsourced to a third-party provider. Both aim to provide similar security functions but have differences in terms of resource management and operational control.

Organizations benefit from having a SOC service by improving their ability to detect and respond to cybersecurity threats promptly, reducing the risk of data breaches, and enhancing overall cybersecurity resilience. Using a SOC service may carry recurring costs, but it would be substantially cheaper than an in-house equivalent.