As data breaches increase in scope and severity, companies are integrating defensive cybersecurity equipment to protect company and client assets. A security operations center allows your organization to defend against cyberattacks and respond immediately to data breaches.
For your organization to remain competitive in an evolving threat landscape, your security operations team needs access to cutting-edge technology that enables them to effectively filter through false positives and direct their efforts toward the most malicious threats.
When a cyberattack occurs, your security team must have the tools necessary to identify and dismantle threats as soon as possible. With a combination of advanced security and audiovisual technologies, your organization can respond efficiently.
What Is a Security Operations Center?
A security operations center (SOC) is a team of IT security professionals that monitor your organization’s IT infrastructure continuously to identify cybersecurity threats when they occur and handle them immediately.
The security operations center will also operate and maintain cybersecurity equipment while monitoring threat data to enhance your organization’s security. Whether your organization chooses to hire in-house security operations or outsource these responsibilities, it is essential that your organization has the resources necessary to protect data assets.
What Are the Most Critical Functions of an SOC?
A security operations center exists to protect company and client data from cybercriminals. However, several different processes are necessary to ensure compliance with best practices and security regulations. Your security operations center may utilize the following functions for complete protection.
Preparation & Maintenance
Your security operations center should maintain a detailed inventory of everything that requires protection, including databases, cloud services, applications, and more. Additionally, your security operations center should also store the tools used to protect your data, such as firewalls and monitoring software.
To ensure the effective use of security tools, the security operations center must periodically perform preventative maintenance, including software upgrades and updating security procedures. The security operations center teams should also assess vulnerability, identify potential threats, and develop incident response plans based on the test results during this process.
Continuous Monitoring
Your security operations center will monitor your IT infrastructure 24/7 for suspicious activity. In most SOCs, monitoring and detection are managed through security information and event management (SIEM). The most advanced SOCs employ extended detection and response (XDR) technology to automate threat detection.
Your SOC team will continually monitor activity to discern which cyber threats are legitimate and which ones are false. If your team is utilizing modern SIEM technology, they will also have access to artificial intelligence (AI) that improves with each interaction to optimize response times.
Recovery and Remediation
Once your SOC team identifies, contains, and eliminates a threat, they can restore the affected assets to their original state. Users may need to update their passwords and authentication credentials if a data breach or ransomware attack occurs.
Following a cyberattack, the security operations team should review your organization’s compliance with data privacy and security regulations, while ensuring that all users are notified and retain incident data for evidence.
Security Operations Center Technologies
A fully-functional security operations center will need a combination of various technologies to monitor, detect, and prevent security threats. Most SOCs have the following technologies to ensure a secure IT infrastructure.
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) System
A SIEM system collects and analyzes log data from various sources, such as network devices, servers, applications, and security tools. It helps identify and correlate security events to detect potential threats.
Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS)
IDS/IPS tools monitor network traffic and detect suspicious behavior or potential intrusions. They can be placed strategically within the network to analyze and block malicious activities.
Firewalls
While the rise of zero-trust security models is taking emphasis away from traditional perimeter security, firewalls are still essential for data protection. Serving as a network’s first line of defense, they control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predefined security rules, helping to prevent unauthorized access and filtering out potential threats.
Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPP) and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Systems
EPP solutions protect individual endpoints (such as desktops, laptops, and servers) from malware, exploits, and unauthorized access. EDR systems provide advanced threat detection, response, and investigation capabilities at the endpoint level.
Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) Platforms
SOAR platforms automate security processes, including incident response, by integrating various security tools and orchestrating their actions. They help streamline incident management and improve response times.
Audiovisual Technologies for Your Security Operations Center
Of course, security software is a critical component of your security operations center, but your SOC team will also need access to AV technology that enhances their scope and facilitates quick communication and collaboration between colleagues. Consider integrating these technologies for an effective security operations center.
Video Surveillance Systems
Video surveillance cameras can be strategically placed throughout the facility to monitor critical areas, entry points, and sensitive locations. High-definition cameras, video management systems (VMS), and video analytics software capture, store, analyze, and retrieve video footage.
Video Walls
Large video walls or display systems are often used to present real-time video feeds, alarm notifications, and security event dashboards to the entire team. They can also provide a centralized view of the surveillance cameras, allowing operators to monitor multiple locations simultaneously.
Audio Conferencing and Communication Systems
Audio conferencing systems enable SOC staff to communicate with each other, remote teams, or stakeholders during incident response. Clear and reliable audio communication is essential for decision-making, especially during an active security event.
Further, SOC teams often rely on collaboration and communication tools, such as instant messaging platforms, video conferencing solutions, and screen-sharing applications. These technologies facilitate real-time information sharing, discussions, and coordination between team members.
Incident Management Systems
Incident management systems equipped with ticketing and workflow capabilities help SOC operators track, document, and manage security incidents. These systems often include collaboration features and communication channels to facilitate coordination among different teams involved in incident response.
Create Your Security Operations Center with Applied Global
If you’re ready to develop or strengthen your SOC setup with cutting-edge AV tools, Applied Global Technologies (AGT) offers the professional guidance and implementation support you need. To learn more about our AV solutions, contact us today. Our professionals are ready to discuss your specific needs and recommend the right solution for your goals and budget.
