What is a SOC? The Key to 24/7 Cybersecurity Protection

In today's technology-driven business, protecting digital assets is more important than ever. A common question Ethan gets asked often is: What is a SOC, and why is it essential for businesses today? This post explains the concept of a Security Operations Center (SOC) and highlights its crucial role in protecting your business.

Read (or watch) below as Ethan explains why you need a SOC in your cybersecurity plan.

What is a SOC?

A SOC, or Security Operations Center, is a dedicated team that continuously monitors and defends an organization's cybersecurity. A SOC refers to a specialized group of professionals who work diligently to keep digital threats away. The SOC is the central hub overseeing these elements to ensure seamless and secure operations.

The Importance of a SOC

The primary role of a SOC is to monitor and protect an organization's cybersecurity. IT professionals use numerous tools that generate vast amounts of data. Whether it's information from firewalls, email filters, antivirus programs, or other security systems, the SOC is responsible for analyzing this data to detect any unusual activity.

While artificial intelligence (AI) helps filter through this data, there are instances where human intervention becomes crucial. AI can flag unusual activities, but a skilled team is needed to assess and respond to these alerts quickly. This is where a SOC steps in—acting as the vigilant eye that watches over an organization's digital security.

Why Do You Need a SOC?

One of the key reasons for having a SOC is the unpredictability of cyber threats. Hackers do not operate within standard business hours; they strike whenever opportunities arise. For example, while people in the U.S. enjoy holidays like the Fourth of July or Christmas, hackers are busy exploiting these moments to launch attacks.

Therefore, having a 24/7 SOC is essential. A dedicated team constantly monitors networks, ready to respond to threats, even during the most inconvenient times. Some may argue that AI can handle these tasks, but the reality is, we are not yet at a stage where AI can manage everything independently. For example, AI might recognize a compromised password and lock the account, but it cannot verify identities or reset passwords on its own. Human oversight is still necessary to ensure accurate responses to potential threats.

What Does a SOC Monitor?

A SOC oversees various aspects of cybersecurity. Here are a few examples:

Ransomware Detection: If ransomware infiltrates one machine and attempts to spread to others, the SOC is alerted to intervene and contain the threat.

Strange Logins: If an employee logs into their email in North Carolina and, seconds later, logs in from Russia, the SOC flags this suspicious activity for investigation.

New Administrator Accounts: Rapid creation of new admin accounts is a potential security threat. The SOC monitors these activities to ensure they are legitimate.

This provides a glimpse into the vital functions of a SOC. For a more detailed understanding, we offer webinars that explore the ever-changing nature of cybersecurity and the tools necessary for robust protection. Be sure to check out the Changing Landscape of Cybersecurity webinar where Rafe Martin emphasizes the need for an adopting cybersecurity strategy as the threats are constantly changing.

A Security Operations Center is a critical component of any modern cybersecurity strategy. As technology continues to advance, so do the tactics of cybercriminals. Having a dedicated SOC ensures that organizations are prepared to face these challenges head-on, with a team ready to respond at a moment's notice.

If navigating all the aspects of your business technology feels overwhelming, we're here to help. Join us on September 20th for CONNECT 2024 - The Guardians' Summit, where we will guide you on how to optimize your tech and increase productivity. Whether it's understanding how to use existing tools effectively or ensuring you're getting the most value out of your technology investments, this event is designed for you. Secure your seat today, spots are filling up fast! We look forward to seeing you there and helping you unlock the full potential of your technology.

For further information or assistance on integrating a SOC into your cybersecurity strategy, feel free to reach out - https://comtechnc.com/contact-us