Any good IT professional knows a Managed SOC (Security Operations Center) is a critical component of your organization's security strategy. But how do you know if your managed SOC is truly protecting your business?
Here are some things to look for to ensure that your managed SOC is doing its job:
Round-the-Clock Monitoring and Response
A well-managed SOC provides 24/7 monitoring and response to potential security incidents. Make sure that your SOC is staffed with expert analysts who can quickly identify, assess, and respond to potential threats.
Proactive Threat Hunting
A proactive SOC doesn't just wait for security incidents to occur – it actively searches for potential threats before they can cause damage. Make sure your SOC is equipped with the latest technologies and processes for threat hunting, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Regular Reporting and Communication
Your managed SOC should provide regular reporting and communication to keep you informed of potential threats and their resolution. Look for a SOC that provides regular status updates, executive-level reporting, and a clear escalation process for major incidents.
Continuous Improvement
A well-managed SOC is always looking for ways to improve its performance and stay ahead of the curve. Look for a SOC that invests in training and development for its staff, as well as advanced technologies and processes for threat detection and response.
So, how can you test if your managed SOC is working properly?
Here are a few ways to actively check your managed SOC is working properly:
Penetration Testing
A penetration test, or "pen test," is a highly-technical test of your organization's systems to identify and then attempt to exploit vulnerabilities, which can be a way to test your SOC's detection and response capabilities. Conducting regular pen tests can help you identify weaknesses in your security posture and ensure that your SOC is prepared to respond to real-world threats.
Red Team Exercises
Like pen testing, a red team exercise is a highly-technical test of your organization's systems, but it is specifically designed to simulate a real-world attack. It is focused on applying the Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) of real threat actors in conjunction with a standard penetration testing methodology, and as a result, it is an extremely effective way to test your SOC's response and effectiveness. This can help you identify gaps in your SOC's processes and technologies and improve your overall security posture.
Incident Response Testing
Conducting regular incident response testing can help you evaluate your SOC's effectiveness in responding to potential threats. This can include tabletop exercises, where you simulate an incident and evaluate your SOC's response, as well as live-fire exercises, where you conduct a real-world test of your SOC's response.
What if your managed SOC is not measuring up?
If your penetration testing, red team exercises, and incident response testing find weaknesses in your cybersecurity posture, or—worse—if it doesn’t offer these services at all, you might want to consider identifying and evaluating the gaps between system flaw and your current managed SOC service.
Security Architecture Review
A security architecture review is a process of evaluating an organization's security posture to identify and mitigate risks. The review typically covers the network, applications, data, and people. The goal of a security architecture review is to ensure that the organization's security controls are aligned with its security objectives and that they are effective in protecting against known and emerging threats.
Complete Tool Evaluation
A complete tool evaluation is a comprehensive assessment of a security tool's capabilities, performance, and usability. The evaluation should cover the tool's functionality, accuracy, ease of use, documentation, and support. The goal of a complete tool evaluation is to determine whether the tool is a good fit for your organization's needs.
Should You Switch Vendors?
If your managed SOC is not performing well or you're not confident in its ability to protect your organization, it may be time to consider switching vendors. One provider to consider is MindPoint Group, a leading provider of managed SOC services designed to keep your organization secure.
Here are a few reasons to consider switching to MindPoint Group’s Managed Security Services:
Expertise and Experience
MindPoint Group has more than a decade of experience providing managed SOC services to organizations across a variety of industries, including the public sector. Our SOC services have been trusted by customers that have a mandate to protect national security, financial systems, scientific research, and other sensitive missions. Our expert analysts use the latest technologies and processes to stay ahead of the curve and protect your organization from potential threats.
Comprehensive Services
MindPoint Group's managed SOC services are designed to meet the most stringent security and regulatory requirements. We offer 24/7 monitoring and response, proactive threat hunting, regular reporting and communication, and continuous improvement to ensure that your organization stays secure.
Tailored Solutions
MindPoint Group understands that every organization is unique and has different security needs. They work closely with their clients to develop tailored security solutions that are specific to each organization's requirements. This ensures that each client's security program is designed to effectively mitigate specific risks and threats. With MindPoint Group's tailored solutions, clients can be confident that their security program is optimized for their specific needs, and that they are getting the most value from their security investments.
Compliance Expertise
MindPoint Group has extensive experience helping organizations achieve and maintain compliance with a variety of regulatory frameworks, including FedRAMP, CMMC, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and NIST. MPGSOC services are designed to help you meet even the most stringent compliance requirements.
Partnership and Collaboration
MindPoint Group views our clients as partners, not just customers. We work closely with each client to understand their unique needs and challenges and collaborate to develop effective security strategies that align with the organization's business goals. MPGSOC also works with technology partners to implement MDR, Managed SIEM, and log analysis ensuring MPGSOC customers receive the best solutions.
Ensuring that your managed SOC is protecting your business requires a proactive approach and regular testing. If you're not confident in your SOC's ability to keep your organization secure, it may be time to consider switching vendors. MindPoint Group offers expert managed SOC services that are tailored to meet your organization's unique needs and challenges and designed to keep your business secure and compliant. Contact MindPoint Group today to learn more about how MPGSOC services can benefit your organization.
Resources:
Demi Marshall - Editor
Mack Sutton – Graphic Design
What is a Managed SOC? And why use one? (threatintelligence.com) – additional research
