In the ever-evolving world of cyber security, success is often measured by the absence of incidents: the breaches prevented, the attacks thwarted, and the data secured. But achieving this level of protection requires a delicate orchestration of skilled people, robust processes, and cutting-edge technology.
SOC providers are often the go-tos for organisations wanting to achieve this level of cyber resilience.
But identifying a SOC that provides a robust security model to defend against today’s most complex threats is often a key challenge for most businesses.
So, what features should organisations look for when partnering with an outsourced SOC?
Below are the top nine must haves:
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Analysts are equal to engineers
In the most effective SOCs, the traditional analyst role is redefined. Rather than simply triaging tickets, these team members are full-stack experts who understand the entire lifecycle of a security event. They possess a deep understanding of the engineering behind threat detection, not just the investigation process.
This comprehensive expertise allows for a higher caliber of service. When every team member has a holistic, end-to-end understanding of the system, the result is more insightful analysis, more effective responses, and, ultimately, better protection for the organisation.
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Tickets are equal to investigations
The best SOCs operate under an “assume breach” mentality. Every alert is treated as a potential true positive – an actual security incident – until proven otherwise. No assumption is made that an alert is a false positive.
This approach requires constant vigilance and meticulous attention to detail. But in a world where a single missed threat can lead to catastrophic consequences, it is the only approach that ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
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If you open an investigation, you close an investigation
Ownership and accountability are key in high-performing SOCs. Namely, engineers see it through to resolution when they pick up a ticket. While collaboration and handovers are inevitable, the original engineer should stay involved from start to finish.
This end-to-end ownership not only ensures thoroughness but also empowers the team. It demonstrates trust in their abilities and judgment, enabling them to take decisive action and see complex issues through to resolution – a critical factor in swift, effective incident response.
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Talent development is essential
In the fast-paced world of cyber security, ongoing learning is not optional – it's a critical necessity. Leading SOCs prioritise the continuous development of their team, investing heavily in keeping skills sharp and up-to-date.
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Automation and enrichment are key
With the volume of events modern SOCs handle, intelligent automation is a must. But it’s a delicate balance. Over-automation risks losing critical human insight, while under-utilisation can lead to data overload.
The most effective SOCs uses automation to augment human intelligence, not replace it.
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Readily available response automation
When a genuine incident occurs, speed is of the essence. Having pre-built, thoroughly tested response automation readily available allows SOCs to take swift, decisive action.
This automation, carefully crafted to work hand-in-hand with human expertise, enables threat containment, system security, and recovery initiation in minutes. Simultaneously, it frees the team to focus on the strategic response: investigating root causes, identifying further compromises, and developing comprehensive remediation plans.
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Data is crucial
Many SOCs limit the data they ingest to control costs. But leading SOCs recognise this as a false economy. Comprehensive data is non-negotiable to provide truly comprehensive protection.
More data means more context, and in cyber security, context is king. The more data available, the more accurately threats can be detected, the more thoroughly incidents can be investigated, and the more effectively hidden risks can be hunted. Limiting data might save money in the short term, but it inevitably leads to missed threats and incomplete protection.
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Proactive threat hunting
A purely reactive approach is no longer sufficient. Proactive threat hunting, where SOCs regularly assume a breach and proactively search for indicators of compromise, is now a must have.
Threat hunting uncovers threats that evade traditional defences. Proactively searching for signs of malicious activity can uncover hidden threats before they cause damage.
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Continuous feedback loop
In leading SOCs, every investigation ends with a post-mortem analysis. Lessons are identified, areas for improvement highlighted, and potential enhancements noted. This continuous feedback loop ensures the SOC is always evolving, always refining its processes, and always sharpening its skills.
When diligently applied, these nine principles form the foundation of cyber security excellence. They ensure that SOCs are not merely reacting to yesterday’s threats but are proactively protecting against tomorrows.