24/7 Security Operations Centre (SOC) as a Service

What is a Security Operations Centre (SOC)?

A Security Operations Centre (SOC) is a physical or outsourced centralised hub which serves as an organisation’s security system, across its networks, servers, endpoints and other digital assets. This allows organisations to detect and respond to potential cyber security threats as they arise.

What is SOC as a Service (SOCaaS)?

Our 24/7 Security Operations Centre as a Service acts as your complete outsourced SOC, thereby delivering all the capabilities of an in-house team without associated cost and complexity. SOCaaS provides all the security functions performed by a traditional, in-house SOC, ranging from monitoring, log management, threat detection, compliance, and more. SOC- as-a-Service is designed to be integrated with your existing tools to solidify your security stack. It is mainly adopted to help fill in gaps in an organisation’s current capabilities or serve as a replacement for deploying an in-house security team.

Cost Considerations

Building and maintaining an in-house SOC can be prohibitively expensive. Costs include:

Staffing Costs

A fully staffed SOC typically requires security analysts, engineers, managers, and incident responders to cover shifts 24/7. Salaries rise sharply from recent graduates earning £45,000 up to £100,000 per year for managers. You should also allow an additional 10-20% to account for round-the-clock staffing. For a small to mid-sized SOC, you may need at least 6 staff to cover 24/7 operations. Finally, you need to allow for training and certification costs.

Technology

SOC infrastructure includes the technology stack required for monitoring, detection, and response:

• Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
• Network Detection and Response (NDR)
• SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) Software
• Threat Intelligence Platforms
• Optional additional tools such as Security Awareness Platforms, ZTNA, Spoofing Protection, Vulnerability Management, DLP, Forensics.
• Technology costs vary hugely depending on users, data ingest and tools. They can range from: £50,000 – £600,000 annually.

Physical Infrastructure

If building an on-premises SOC, you’ll need:

• Secure Facilities
• Hardware
• Redundancy and back-up

How to choose the right SOC as a Service provider

When selecting a SOC as a Service provider, it’s essential to evaluate solutions powered by advanced tools like SIEM, EDR, and AI-driven analytics that seamlessly integrate with your existing technology stack. The provider should tailor their services to align with your organisation’s unique risk tolerance, infrastructure, and operational needs. Look for a partner with proven expertise and experience in your industry, capable of supporting compliance with evolving regulatory requirements. Clear and scalable pricing models are crucial to avoiding unexpected costs, while transparency in reporting and communication ensures confidence in the partnership. Additionally, weigh the costs of implementing an in-house SOC, including the challenges of finding, hiring, and training skilled staff in a market facing growing talent shortages. Finally, ensure your cyber security strategy is well-defined so that your chosen SOC provider can effectively align with your operations, offering robust threat detection and response capabilities, seamless integration with existing tools, and the flexibility to scale services as your needs evolve.

The Future of Cyber Security is Managed

As the cyber threat landscape becomes more complex, SOC as a Service is emerging as a game-changer for organisations seeking robust, cost-effective protection. By outsourcing security operations to a trusted provider like Red Helix, businesses can enhance their resilience, protect their assets, and focus on achieving their goals, confident in their ability to withstand the challenges of tomorrow.