In today's threat landscape, a Security Operations Center (SOC) is vital for any facility or organization. To expand further on this topic and on the SM Magazine articles “How to Create and Maintain an Effective SOC” by Sara Mosqueda and "From Reactive to Proactive: Why GSOCs Must Evolve" by Dale Buckner, hear from CSO Center member Davendra Gossai, CPP, from Darden, on what you need to know.
A Security Operations Center (SOC) has become crucial for organizations looking to secure their assets and personnel in a rapidly evolving threat landscape. For security leaders, implementing and managing a SOC provides both a benefit and a significant challenge. An effective SOC requires strategic planning and operational deployment. As security leaders consider deploying or developing their existing SOCs, the following are considerations:
Defining the Purpose of a SOC
A SOC is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Its primary goal is to monitor, assess, and respond to real-time events. Security leaders should define the scope of activities for the SOC based on their organization's needs and align with business goals. Determining the scope allows the SOC to focus on critical functions and prevents it from becoming an all-purpose unit. An example of clarity for a SOC's responsibilities could include overseeing access control, managing camera systems, and responding to emergencies.
Operational Efficiency, Continuity, and Technology Integration
A SOC can lose effectiveness if there are many disparate applications. For instance, if a SOC relies on dozens of applications requiring constant toggling, that can exhaust team members. Instead, there should be considerations for integrated systems to allow the SOC to monitor and control various platforms through a single interface. Simplifying the workflow increases accuracy and provides quicker response times.
Leaders should consider the resilience of their SOC by establishing a backup or remote deployment location to ensure continuity if a SOC is within a CAT-exposed location. Developing technology and remote access have allowed for quick redeployment. However, there is a strong dependency on the IT infrastructure and resiliency of the internal system and any SSaS solution.
Physical and Environmental Requirements
Building an effective SOC requires a blend of architecture, ergonomics, and functionality. Physical space is a primary concern when designing or retrofitting a SOC. The SOC environment should support employees who must be alert and comfortable during long shifts.
Proactive Versus Reactive Operations
Traditionally, SOCs have been primarily reactive, designed to monitor and respond to incidents once they have occurred. However, today's landscape has become more complex. SOCs must evolve to adopt a more proactive stance. By moving from a reactive to a proactive model, SOCs add value to their organization, ensuring it is one step ahead of potential crises. This shift requires tools and a skilled workforce capable of analyzing data and creating actionable insights.
Prioritizing and Managing Alerts
One of the most critical factors for SOC efficiency is the prioritization of alerts. With multiple systems generating notifications, it's essential to categorize them based on risk and relevance. A triage system that prioritizes alerts—categorizing them as high, medium, or low risk—enables SOC staff to focus on critical issues first. High-risk alerts like life safety events should precede lower-risk events like minor technical malfunctions. Prioritization helps enhance response time and reduces the risk of missed incidents.
Ensuring Staff Well-being
The demanding nature of SOC work can lead to high turnover. Security leaders must address both the physical and psychological needs of SOC staff. Regular rotations, scheduled breaks, and varied tasks help reduce fatigue and maintain employee engagement.
Conclusion
For security leaders, a SOC is much more than a monitoring center. It can serve as a hub for real-time monitoring and proactive risk management. A SOC's success relies on meticulous planning, alignment with organizational goals, and strong stakeholder partnerships. By implementing best practices in processes, technology, design, and staff, SOCs can protect people and assets while advancing organizational resilience.
For those interested in joining the CSO Center, you can find more information here. Use code “24CSO150” to save $150 off CSO Center membership. Valid until 31 December 2024, for new members only.
Davendra Gossai, CPP, is a member of ASIS International and the CSO Center. He works as the Manager of Risk Management at Darden and currently, serves on the CSO Center content committee.
