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SOC (Security Operations Center)
Definition
A SOC is a centralised team of security specialists that continuously monitors an organisation's IT environment, detects, analyses and responds to threats.
A Security Operations Center (SOC) is a centralised team of security specialists that monitors an organisation's IT environment 24/7 for cyber threats, detects security incidents and responds to them. According to IBM, organisations with a SOC detect security incidents on average 74 days faster than organisations without one.
How does a SOC work?
The SOC functions as the nerve centre of cybersecurity operations. SOC analysts continuously monitor security logs, alerts and events from the entire IT environment via a SIEM platform. Incoming alerts are triaged by severity and impact. When an incident is confirmed, the SOC escalates to the incident response team. The SOC maintains detection rules, conducts threat hunting and continuously optimises detection capability. Modern SOCs use SOAR platforms for automation and XDR for correlated detection.
SOC models
An internal SOC is fully staffed and managed by the organisation itself, requiring significant investment in personnel, technology and processes. An external or Managed SOC is delivered by an MSSP or MDR provider. A hybrid SOC combines internal staff with external expertise. Virtual SOC models provide remote monitoring without physical presence. The right model depends on the organisation's size, risk profile and budget.
Impact on organisations
Establishing and maintaining an internal SOC is expensive: typically 2-5 million euros annually for 24/7 operations including staff, tooling and facilities. Additionally, the market faces a severe shortage of SOC analysts. NIS2 requires organisations in critical sectors to implement adequate monitoring and detection. DORA sets comparable requirements for financial institutions. For many organisations, an external or hybrid SOC model is the most realistic option to meet these requirements without the full investment of an internal SOC.
Protection
An effective SOC combines people, processes and technology. SIEM technology centralises log data and generates alerts. EDR and XDR provide deep detection on endpoints and across multiple layers. Threat intelligence enriches alerts with context on current threats. Structured incident response procedures ensure fast and effective handling. Continuous training and exercises keep the team sharp.
How DEFION helps
DEFION operates a 24/7 SOC staffed by experienced security analysts. The SOC team provides Managed Threat Detection, Managed Threat Hunting and MXDR as fully managed services. Organisations receive enterprise-grade security without the complexity and cost of building their own SOC.