Pandora Security Labs Blog Security Operations Center (SOC): IT's Next Must-Have

Recently, the country has been subject to cyber-attacks almost every week by various cyber criminals from website to bank system hacks leading to data compromise, theft and more abating customer trust. As a result, the Philippines has been noted to be one of the most if not the most vulnerable country to cyber-attacks. Because of this, CEOs, security professionals and different sectors have been evaluating the reason behind this. And their conclusion - lack of IT security professionals and awareness of the imperativeness of cybersecurity management [1]. Small to medium businesses are not exempted to these attacks and are also in need of a cybersecurity management which a security operations center can offer.WHAT IS A SECURITY OPERATIONS CENTER (SOC)?A SOC is a team of skilled security professionals or analysts with a goal to PREVENT, MONITOR, DETECT, ANALYZE, RESPOND TO AND REPORT cyber threats proactively alongside security tools. Most people think that a security solution involves technology or tools alone. They have never been so wrong. SANS institute security professional states that a security solution is composed of both technology and people [2]. Investing on tools alone is not enough. There are different things to be considered like risk management, incident response, and others which a security tool cannot offer you and your services. Invest on people too - whether you build your own or outsource a SOC, just do it.WHY IS A SOC VITAL TO YOUR BUSINESS?BUSINESS CONTINUITYBusinesses all aim for continuity because a slight disruption would definitely cost a lot. Investing on a SOC will make business continuity possible for the fact that it offers a 24x7 incident response. And as we know, attackers do not sleep. Whether you are a small to medium or a medium to small business, attackers from all over the world will be there to haunt and bombard you to disrupt your business. And who will be there to respond to such unavoidable attacks? Your SOC, if you have one.TOOLS ARE NOT ENOUGHLet's say, you have already conducted a risk management and bought the tools needed for such but have you prepared for the ultramodern or newly enhanced threats out there? They're coming and a SOC will be most helpful when the time comes. A SOC provides a systematic way of incident response which will keep surprise attacks from compromising your business' services. With a SOC, there will be a more accurate detection and response, and your tools will be updated with the latest threat intelligence. A SOC will make sure that they are well-informed along with your tools because they work hand in hand, remember?IT'S A MUST Like I said earlier, business discontinuity equals loss - financially, reputation-wise and more. Therefore, a SOC is a required capability whatever type of organization or business you have. You will not only be ready but you will also be au courant and at the same time equipped to whatever comes next.WHERE TO FIND ONEYou must first know who the SOC you are going to hire are. What are the basic qualities to look for? A SOC must consist of trained, up-to-date, and trustworthy security analysts. Pandora Security Labs offers a 24x7 Security Operations Center which is composed of trained, up-to-date, and trustworthy security analysts along with the next-generation Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) called ThreatScout which is provided with the SOC service.REFERENCES[1] http://www.philstar.com/banking/2016/04/12/1571843/lack-it-security-professionals-makes-philippines-prone-cyber-crimeThe post Security Operations Center (SOC): IT's Next Must-Have appeared first on Pandora Labs - Security-as-a-Service.