5 Best Practices for Running a Security Operations Center (SOC)

Security operation centers (SOCs) are now an integral unit for large enterprises, providing centralized visibility and control over the entire organization’s security architecture. It works as a shared service from a singular location, with security personnel monitoring different vectors via security analytics. The perception of SOCs is often overhyped, but the reality is very different. 

The reality is that 79%Opens a new window of enterprises have experienced a cyber breach in the last year, partly owing to the lack of sophisticated systems in security operation centers. For instance, just 13% of companies use automation and ML to detect, analyze, and respond to threats. 2021 will be a year of reimagining the SOC, strengthening its capabilities by keeping five crucial elements in mind. 

Learn More: Do You Need a Security Operations Center? 

1. The SOC must enable end-to-end network control

Your security operations center protects the enterprise from network threats, but you need to precisely define your network boundaries to achieve this. It is a common misconception that the external network is identical to the public internet, and anything that’s not part of the public internet is safe. CISOs must keep in mind that any third-party network (including and beyond the internet) can be a threat vector. 

For modern organizations, API-based app integrations, external device connections via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and cloud-shared resources must also come under the definition of external networks. 

In the case of internal networks, least privilege access should be your rule of thumb, and no single user should have complete access to sensitive/valuable information. Segregate your internal network into several tiers of access (based on its asset contents), aided by a powerful firewall solution. 

2. Pay attention to shadow app discovery

Shadow applications (part of shadow IT) are a growing threat for enterprises. Traditionally, SOCs have restricted software installation on enterprise systems, even if the app came from a trusted source. However, in a remote working world, this becomes a major problem. Remote users could intentionally or unwittingly download malicious applications from the internet, eventually spreading across the entire internal network. 

In addition to the firewall, regularly conduct an app discovery exercise to create a full software inventory across the hundreds and thousands of computers on your network. Classify these apps as per their security risks and take action. Also, gain from built-in restrictions that prevent unauthorized users from downloading and installing software on enterprise systems (including servers). 

3. Keep a watch on hardware sprawl, even in cloud-first environments

Another myth around the SOC maintenance is that hardware doesn’t fall under its ambit. As most security vectors tend to be software-related (spreading through the cloud or public/private networks), SOCs frequently take a short-sighted view and focus only on software. In reality, hardware sprawl is a risk for every enterprise, adding peripherals like printers, routers, Wi-Fi repeaters, storage endpoints, and other unauthorized components as business needs grow. With each addition comes new security risks. 

Make unauthorized hardware connectivity prevention a priority for your SOC. Also, implement processes that restrict employees from copying data for home use or offsite use. If some degree of BYOD is inevitable (as in a WFH scenario), make sure to verify identity through multi-factor authentication. Finally, scan enterprise perimeters for rogue hardware, just like shadow applications, to discover risks on time. 

Learn More: 5 Keys for Improving Your Security Operations Center 

4. Protect SOC logs to aid investigation

Access logs are among your most handy tools when conducting a post-attack forensic analysis. It also helps to root out false positives from genuinely suspicious access behavior. SOC managers typically use logging records to assess the four Ws and one H of a security breach: who, what, why, when, and how. 

However, the logs themselves can be vulnerable, and it’s compromise will cripple your ability to assess and respond to any security threat. One of the first things a malicious app will once it enters your systems is to remove any evidence of the attack by rewriting device logs. That’s why it is advisable to store access logs in a separate, high-security zone that is not connected to the device itself. 

Further, make sure to synchronize the timestamps across all enterprise devices generating logs regularly. A single, synchronized lock will ensure that all devices follow a central time source, allowing access events to be plotted more easily. In case of a breach, you can reconstruct the incident by piecing together logs across various devices. 

5. Have a contingency plan in place via a robust backup

Assuming the worst-case scenario can be extremely helpful when building an SOC, given the unpredictable and fast-evolving nature of security threats. A big part of this is investing in a backup system that can help to restore your digital assets after an attack, even if it can’t prevent malicious parties from getting hold of it. 

A cloud-based backup system can accelerate data recovery, particularly if a malicious party goes after your in-house backup service. 

While no backup strategy is 100% hackerproof, remember the 3-2-1 rule: 3 copies of information, including primary/dynamic/production data and two backups, where one should be stored off-site – e.g., on the cloud. Ensure your production data is protected by strong authentication measures, and your cloud backup is accessible only to a select group of users during worst-case scenarios, like a ransomware attack. 

Learn More: How to Build the Best Possible Security Operations Center 

Summing Up

2021 will be an important year for SOCs worldwide. As enterprises recover from a record number of attacks in the last few months, working under unusual circumstances, the focus will be on strengthening security systems for more proactive protection. Research suggests that more than one in threeOpens a new window companies will be adding fresh security staff to address SOC skill gaps. There is also room for using advanced technologies like automation, AI and ML for app discovery, threat analysis, and user authentication. 

The above five elements fork the very foundation of a resilient security operations center, paving the way for enterprises to innovate further and stay a step ahead of all the hackers out there. 

Do you agree that it is time to reboot your security operations center in 2021?  Comment below or let us know on  LinkedInOpens a new window , TwitterOpens a new window , or FacebookOpens a new window . We would love to hear from you!