The National Information Systems Security Agency ANSSI still maintains its statement of the 2022 Cyber Threat Panorama on the high level of risk in terms of cybercrime. Threats affect the most vulnerable companies including VSEs, SMEs and ETIs.
Cybercriminals often take advantage of the lack of data security and uncontrolled digital uses to act. Fortunately, most organizations can protect their data and increase their cyber-resilience with powerful security tools like SOC.
What is this? How does it work? What are the advantages of opting for an SOC?
What to remember from this article
Knowing the specifics of a SOC or Security Operation Center remains essential for most companies that operate through technology and networks. This article sheds light on the specific definition of a SOC and the usefulness of its implementation.
Between the lines, you will have more information about its components and how it works. The details will guide you on the real effectiveness of this security unit for your company.
See the following parts for more information about the SOC:
- What is a SOC and what are the objectives of setting it up?
- What is the SOC made of?
- What are the advantages of using a SOC?
What is an SOC? What are the purposes of its use?
A SOC is the acronym for Security Operation Center. This is the Operational Security Center or COS. This facility is a crucial IT security element for today’s businesses. This unit is required to monitor and analyze a company’s security system.
The intervention of a SOC applies to servers, networks, databases, terminals, websites, applications, and systems used within companies. It is also responsible for intervening in the event of incidents affecting cybersecurity.
In carrying out these missions, a SOC employs a combination of highly technological processes and devices. This allows the whole team to react quickly to the slightest incident. With the high risks of cyberattacks, the SOC becomes an inseparable solution for the IT management of companies.
A SOC is often managed by cybersecurity engineers , analysts and managers. The unit also works with response teams to resolve anomalies in time after they are reported.
The objectives of setting up the SOC at the level of your company are numerous. As previously stated, this security unit must detect incidents, whether external or internal attacks. Anomalies must be analyzed and resolved to reduce their impact on the operation of your business.
What elements does a SOC consist of?
A SOC enjoys its performance thanks to its technological power. In addition to SIEM and a dashboard, it also uses tools and technologies such as IDS and EDR software, vulnerability scanner, machine learning… In any case, the following details can provide you with more information on these innovative devices used by a SOC:
SIEM
The SIEM or Security Information and Event Management is the heart of the SOC. It is the place where the information generated by the company’s IT infrastructure is concentrated, analyzed, and monitored. The latter can come from the operating system, the database, servers, routers, firewalls, antivirus, IDS and EDR software, etc. In the event of a threat, the SIEM launches the remediation procedure.
The dashboard
The SIEM of a SOC has software like a dashboard to give an overview of the situation and the results reported by the other tools. The data is displayed there in the form of tables or graphs.
machine learning
A SOC can also use machine learning to improve cybersecurity. Its algorithm often uses statistics, data mining and predictive analysis. These elements allow him to make predictions, identify repetitive events or sequences, calculate the probability for each event whether it is malicious or not. This greatly reduces security risks.
In addition to these elements, the SOC can also exploit other innovative technological devices such as:
- The vulnerability scanner for automated audits.
- Host and network intrusion detection software.
- EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) software for endpoint protection.
What are the advantages of using a SOC?
You are probably wondering if it is worth using a SOC to ensure your company’s IT security.
The answer is positive on this point.
A SOC mainly improves the detection of security incidents. The SOC team continuously analyzes and monitors data activity. It deals with the detection and intervention in the event of a security incident. It analyzes the terminals, networks, databases, servers of your company permanently.
Indeed, monitoring a SOC allows your structure to fight against intrusions and attacks. Previously, there was a gap between when hackers attacked and when companies were notified.
Today, a SOC is the solution to stay on top of potential cybersecurity threats.
Ultimately, the SOC team is responsible for your organization’s information security operational plan. It facilitates the rapid detection of cyberattacks. It effectively prevents attacks while guaranteeing the security of your sensitive data.
At the same time, it collaborates with computer security teams to set up and maintain a high-performance SOC that meets the needs of your structure in terms of computer security.