SOC or Security Operations Center by ZIWIT

The Security Operations Center (SOC), represents the team ensuring the protection and sustainability of all the elements that constitute your information system (IS) within an IT unit :

• Infrastructure: servers, storage, databases, network, virtualization (VM), cloud, Big Data, IoT…
• Web and Applications: company websites, intranet, ERP, CRM, HRIS, specific applications, web services, APIs…
• Users: Productivity tools (office pack, Adobe suite), workstations, mobile fleets, tablets, BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)…

The aim of the SOC is to detect, analyze and remedy cybersecurity problems and incidents, using technical and technological solutions as well as a range of methodologies and know-how.

The Security Operations Center monitors and analyzes activity on networks, servers, terminals, databases, applications, websites and other systems, looking for weak signals or abnormal behavior that could constitute a security incident or a sign of compromise.

The SOC generally uses a SIEM to carry out the event management of an Information System.

SIEM

A SIEM (or Security Information and Event Management) is a technology combining security event management, or SEM, and security information management, or SIM.

• SEM (Security Event Management) handles real-time monitoring, event correlation, notifications and console views.
• SIM (Safety Information Management) enables long-term storage, analysis, manipulation and communication of data from safety logs and records collected by SEM software.

SIEM collects and compiles data generated across an organization's technology infrastructure, from host systems and applications to network and security devices such as firewalls and antivirus.

The SIEM identifies, classifies and analyzes incidents and events. A SIEM fulfills two main purposes :

• Provide reports on security related incidents and events such as login success or failure, malicious activity and other potential malicious activity.
• Sends notifications when analysis reveals that activity violates defined rules, indicating potential security issues.

The MDR SOC is the natural evolution of the SOC. MDR stands for Managed Detection and Response.

The MDR SOC is a skilful blend of people and technology. The technologies will monitor, detect and react to cyber threats, whether they be vulnerabilities or intrusions.

An MDR SOC involves continuous monitoring of threats to the information system, both by cybersecurity experts and by technologies such as our HTTPCS Security vulnerability scanner. It also involves almost immediate response and correction of detected vulnerabilities to prevent IS damage.

Add to this the creation of an Incidence Response unit, which means that when an organization is hacked, a team of experts is on hand to intervene quickly and effectively, to help resolve the attack.

Setting up a Security Operations Center represents a real investment in terms of finance, human resources and infrastructure.

• Human because a company must hire cybersecurity experts to analyze and deal with threats full-time.
• Infrastructural because setting up a SOC will require the production of numerous risk detection, analysis and treatment software.
• Financial because setting up such an infrastructure represents a certain cost, added to that the human cost of the cyber-experts but also the cost requiring the continuous training of the experts.

To avoid such constraints, some companies have specialized in offering a solution called managed Security Operations Center.

The managed SOC is the recommended choice for companies that need the help of an external company to perform advanced monitoring and detection operations.

Some of them are mature from an IT and cybersecurity perspective.

However, budget constraints and limited expertise can make it difficult to create a fully operational 24/7 in-house SOC.

At the opposite, some organizations are in the immature stage of enterprise protection and need greater expertise to quickly manage their monitoring, detection, and response (MDR) efforts and responses.

The advantages of this model are speed, simplicity, scalability and low cost of implementation.

Given the diversity of customers and industries that MSSPs (managed security service providers) typically support, the additional expertise and wealth of information is invaluable.

SOC Visibility Triad

The Hybrid SOC

The Hybrid Security Operations Center is, as you might guess, a clever mix between an in-house SOC and a managed SOC.

A hybrid model allows you to benefit from the best of both methods. Complemented by in-house staff and external experts, this solution offers a secure and comprehensive approach to detection and response.

Most companies at this level are large enough to build their own small teams. However, it is not possible to create a fully functional 24/7 internal SOC.

This solution is effective due to its fast detection and response time.

Moreover, this model offers the best combination of learning and cybersecurity for teams within the company. It also allows the transfer of knowledge acquired from MSSP experts.