A Security Operations Center (SOC) can use a variety of tools and techniques to detect potential threats on your systems, within your network, and even within IoT devices. Depending on your organization's industry, clients, partners, services and exposure, the threats to your system can vary widely. Over the years, our SOC analysts have seen numerous attacks, from the mundane to the outrageous. Many of the attacks we have mitigated have had 5 common attack methods.
Here are five common threats that a SOC may be able to help you to detect:
- Malware: Malware is a type of software that is designed to cause harm to a computer or network, from just listening to data in and out to actually infecting your machines to run the attackers programs. You may have seen news on cyptojacking where malware is used to mine crypto using your system's resources, slowing down your system and networks considerably. A SOC can use malware detection tools—including endpoint protection software, network intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS), or malware analysis tools—to identify and prevent the execution of malicious software.
- Phishing: Phishing is a type of cyber attack that involves sending fake emails or messages in an attempt to trick the recipient into giving away sensitive information. A SOC can use email filtering and other techniques to identify and prevent phishing attacks. When combined with internal programs like PhishTACO, a SOC can help make your entire company more capable of catching Phishing attacks before they have major financial or repetitional impacts on your organization.
- Denial of Service (DoS): A DoS attack involves overwhelming a network or system with traffic, rendering it unavailable to legitimate users. Imaging a team of hackers and bots simply trying to enter your systems so many times, that legitimate users are unable to get through. A SOC can use intrusion detection systems and other tools to monitor network traffic and identify potential DoS attacks. This can help you to keep your systems accessible to those that need access even during an attack.
- Ransomware: Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim's files and demands payment in exchange for the decryption key. Often times, ransomware is only discovered after a SOC has been implemented or after you have lost access to your files which have been encrypted by a would be attackers. A SOC can use ransomware detection tools to identify and prevent ransomware attacks. A SOC can also help you setup systems to recover data quickly rendering the Ransomware ineffective, with data loss prevention (DLS) systems or backup and recovery solutions.
- Insider Threats: Insider threats refer to security breaches that are caused by employees, vendors or other insiders with legitimate access to an organization's systems and networks. In any security setting people are the biggest vulnerability to a system. A SOC can use access control systems, zero trust informed systems, and other tools to monitor for suspicious behavior and prevent insider threats.
Eventually, every growing company will face at least one of these threats to their organization. The more exposed your organization is to the world, the more prepared you will need to be. A SOC can help to detect and prevent a wide range of cybersecurity threats, ensuring that your data and networks remain secure. SOCs come in all shapes and sizes, from In house SOCs to SOCaaS services like MPGSOC, there is one that is the right size for your organization if you are ready to be proactive about your cybersecurity posture.
Connect with the experts at MindPoint Group to learn more about how a SOC could benefit your organization.
