In the face of escalating and increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, Security Operations Centers (SOCs) play an increasingly vital role. Whether managed internally or through a Managed Service Provider (MSP), they represent the most effective means of continuously monitoring an organization's entire IT infrastructure.
Why is continuous monitoring so vital? According to IBM, the principal advantage of operating or outsourcing an SOC lies in its ability to unify and coordinate an organization's security tools, practices, and incident response. This convergence results in enhanced preventive measures, improved security policies, swift threat detection, and a more efficient and cost-effective response to security threats. Additionally, a SOC can bolster customer confidence, streamline compliance with industry regulations, and simplify adherence to global privacy standards.
In short, allocating a sufficient budget for a SOC is not an area to cut corners. It necessitates the recruitment of skilled personnel, the implementation of effective processes and technologies, staying ahead of threat intelligence, and a continuous commitment to enhancing defensive measures. Even if the current security measures are robust, they require ongoing improvement to stay ahead of evolving threats.
While the initial investment may seem substantial, especially for multiple platforms and licenses, it is an important aspect of security your business that can yield significant cost savings in the long run.
According to cybersecurity firm Check Point, a centralized SOC allows organizations to share costs across the entire entity, eliminating departmental silos and reducing overhead caused by duplication. Moreover, an effective SOC mitigates cybersecurity risks, preventing potentially costly data breaches and ransomware attacks.
Maintaining a high-caliber SOC comes with its challenges. Here are a few of the top challenges many organizations face according to Check Point:
Cybersecurity skills shortage: Hiring a qualified cybersecurity specialist is not an easy task currently. A study by the ISC Workforce states that there needs to be massive growth (145%) in the cybersecurity workforce to meet current and future needs.
Overwhelming amounts of security alerts: Cyber criminals never stop trying to gain access to data, this leads to nonstop daily security alerts that can be annoying and also time consuming to sort through. This can also be expensive as one-fifth to one-half of these threats are likely false positives.
Operational overhead: Many companies utilize security tools that are disconnected rather than integrated. This leaves even the best security pros spending large amounts of time translating security alerts and policies between environments which can lead to costly, complex, and inefficient security operations.
Insufficient technology: Small businesses often run into challenges with access to appropriate tools as well as a gap in filtering and analytics metrics.
Artificial intelligence (AI), alongside 5G, machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT), is already playing a pivotal role in bridging gaps and enhancing human efforts and will continue to revolutionize the cyber security industry as it continues to evolve.
The technology field is crowded with valuable tools from various providers. Notably, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platforms play a crucial role in forensically investigating cyberattacks, identifying vulnerabilities, offering threat intelligence and security analytics, and simplifying the comprehension of complex data through advanced analytics visualization. The International Council of E-Commerce Consultants recommends considering platforms such as Splunk, SolarWinds Security Event Manager, LogRhythm, Trellix Platform, and AlienVault OSSIM.
Navigating this extensive array of options may seem overwhelming, but rest assured that the effort you invest in enhancing your SOC will not go unnoticed. If the intricacies of the process are causing some stress, considering external assistance may be a wise decision rather than attempting to handle everything internally.
In today's landscape, every organization is essentially a tech organization, emphasizing the important role of a robust SOC in both short- and long-term success.
Key Questions to for your Small Business to Condsider:
Are you aligned with a recognized security framework?
When was the last time you conducted a Penetration Test?
Are all Critical Security Controls in place and actively monitored?
Do you have a dedicated Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) overseeing your security?
Is there a clear Security Roadmap guiding your organization?
Have you conducted a thorough analysis of the financial risks associated with potential security threats?
For discussions on your cybersecurity strategy and to explore more about Managed SOC Services, reach out to MapleTronics.
About MapleTronics
MapleTronics is a full-service IT planning, managed services, and managed cybersecurity company with offices in Indiana, Tennessee, and Florida. Since 1992, MapleTronics has been serving its mission to empower others to fulfill their mission. Today, MapleTronics serves hundreds of clients from large manufacturing companies and healthcare organizations to single-employee business owners. Our solutions focus on four main areas: business continuity, security, stability, and support.