What to Look for in an MSSP’s SOC (Security Operations Center)

A security operations center (SOC) facility is the heart of an MSSP’s operation. When looking for a cybersecurity partner, it’s important that you do your due diligence and make sure that your potential MSSP’s SOC has everything it needs to ensure your cybersecurity needs are taken care of.

What is in a Security Operations Center (SOC)?

A security operations center (SOC) facility is the central hub of a cybersecurity organization that houses all the people, tools, and technology needed to build a strong cybersecurity system for clients. It’s the heart of a cybersecurity operation and contains the critical elements needed for high-level cybersecurity for businesses.

Elements of Success to Look for in an MSSP’s SOC

Beyond the technology and people that fill it, there are large benefits of having a security operations center that can have a big effect on the way those teams work together. Here are a few big-picture things that a SOC should deliver.

Collaboration Between Teams

In a non-SOC environment, cybersecurity teams are often siloed into separate wings, rooms, or buildings, unable to freely communicate and hindering their ability to work with each other.

One of the greatest benefits of a central security operations center is how simple it makes collaboration between multiple teams. Whether it’s sharing reports, new trends in cyberattacks, or just swapping tips and tricks, open communication, and collaboration between security teams inside a SOC encourages growth in professionals and leads to stronger overall cybersecurity strategies.

More collaboration between cybersecurity teams helps to:

• Stay up to date on the latest trends in technology, cybercriminal activity, attack vectors, and security strategies
• Keep everyone on the same page as to the status of client assets
• Drive efficient incident response capabilities

Open Communications Between the MSSP and its Clients

Effective communication is not just for internal purposes, either. A security operations center improves communication between an MSSP and its clients by providing reliable access to telemetry and secure communication channels which means critical information can be shared more efficiently and effectively. This includes crisis communications like when breaches occur or during the execution of a response plan.

Businesses should look for MSSPs that use their SOC to improve this line of communication to increase transparency as to the results of their cybersecurity strategy. What’s working? What’s not working? What improvements are being made or need to be made?

These questions should be answered consistently by a client’s vCISO so they are always aware of what’s happening with their business’ cybersecurity.

Innovations in Security Strategies and Technologies

A SOC should also be home to all the latest and greatest cybersecurity technology now and in the future. It should always be at the forefront of the new and necessary technology that keeps businesses one step ahead of cybercriminals. When considering working with an MSSP, make sure their SOC is more than a workspace; it should be a showcase of technology, tools, and expertise.

A facility full of collaborating experts should always be pushing itself to stay on top of everything cybersecurity-related from new attacks to incidents and current events that might impact its clients.

DOT Security’s SOC

Now fully operational, DOT Security’s Security Operations Center is home to our cybersecurity specialists and is ready to tackle any and all security needs, including network monitoring, strategy development, compliance services, and more.

A security operations center is truly the beating heart of a cybersecurity operation, and its importance cannot be understated. Learn more about what makes a SOC so critical to successful cybersecurity in this blog.