SOC, how it works and the risks it faces

A Security Operations Center (SOC) is the core of an organization’s cyber defense. Its primary function is to monitor, detect, analyze, and respond to security threats in real time.

In a context where cyberattacks have increased exponentially in recent years, SOCs have become critical elements for the protection of digital infrastructures.

What is a SOC and how does it work?

A Security Operations Center (SOC) is a centralized team of cybersecurity specialists who use advanced tools to monitor, analyze, and mitigate threats in a company’s systems. Its operation is based on multiple layers:

1. Real-Time Monitoring and Detection

SOCs use technologies such as SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) and EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) to collect, analyze, and correlate security events across the network. They monitor logs, network traffic, and suspicious activity on endpoints to detect anomalies before they cause harm.

2. Incident Analysis and Threat Response

When suspicious activity is detected, the security analyst team evaluates the threat based on its impact and criticality. Methodologies such as MITRE ATT&CK are used to classify attacks and respond efficiently.

3. Automation and Response Orchestration (SOAR)

Modern SOCs have adopted SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) tools, which enable the automation of responses to certain types of attacks, reducing response time and the workload of analysts.

4. Threat Hunting

Through the analysis of historical and current data, SOC teams look for Indicators of Compromise (IoC) that may reveal the presence of attackers on the network. This is key to detecting advanced and persistent threats (APT) before they achieve their objectives.

Main Risks Faced by a SOC

Despite being essential in cybersecurity defense, SOCs also face a series of challenges and risks that can compromise their effectiveness.

1. Alert Overload and False Positives

A SOC can receive thousands or even millions of events daily. According to the Ponemon Institute report, 45% of the alerts generated by SIEM tools are false positives, leading to analyst fatigue and reduced operational efficiency.

2. Lack of Specialized Personnel

The global cybersecurity workforce shortage is alarming. It is estimated that there are over 3.5 million unfilled vacancies in the sector, leaving Security Operations Centers (SOCs) with insufficient teams to manage the volume of threats.

3. Targeted Attacks Against the SOC

Attackers have identified SOCs as strategic targets. There have been cases of ransomware targeting SIEM systems, as well as social engineering campaigns against security analysts to gain privileged access.

4. Lack of Integration Between Tools

Many SOCs operate with multiple security solutions from different vendors, creating information silos and making it difficult to respond to incidents in a unified manner.

5. Constant Evolution of Threats

Attackers’ tactics are constantly evolving. 80% of successful attacks in 2023 used new techniques not detected by traditional signatures. This forces SOCs to continually update their strategies and tools.

Evolution of SOCs Towards MDR and XDR Models

In response to current challenges, SOCs have evolved towards more advanced models such as MDR (Managed Detection and Response) and XDR (Extended Detection and Response), which offer more effective and automated detection and response capabilities.

MDR (Managed Detection and Response)

MDR is a managed detection and response service that outsources incident monitoring and response. Companies that cannot maintain an internal SOC turn to MDR providers, who use threat intelligence, expert analysts, and advanced tools to detect and mitigate attacks in real time.

Advantages of MDR:

• Reduction of internal operational burden.
• Access to cybersecurity experts 24/7.
• Fast implementation without the need for internal SOC infrastructure.

XDR (Extended Detection and Response)

XDR is an evolution of EDR and SIEM, integrating multiple security data sources (network, endpoints, servers, applications, and cloud) into a single unified detection and response platform. Unlike traditional SIEM, XDR offers deeper correlation between events, enhancing visibility and reducing false positives.

Benefits of XDR:

• Greater event correlation across different security layers.
• Advanced automation of incident response.
• Reduction in detection and response time (MTTD and MTTR).

Integration of Endurance into a SOC

Endurance provides a comprehensive solution for privileged access management within a SOC, offering an additional layer of security and control over critical environments. Thanks to its Shielded Remote Desktop, PAM, and VDI, analysts can access systems without exposing sensitive credentials or creating vulnerable points in the infrastructure. Its ability to isolate sessions and log all activities in real-time enhances forensic auditing, detects suspicious behaviors, and mitigates internal risks. Additionally, its encrypted vault prevents unauthorized access to critical credentials, reducing the attack surface in highly segmented SOC environments.

Integrating Endurance into a SOC provides a key advantage: total access segmentation and reduced risk of lateral movement within the infrastructure. By ensuring that access occurs in isolated and fully auditable environments, the impact of potential intrusions is minimized, and the overall security posture of the SOC is strengthened.

Conclusion

A Security Operations Center SOC is the cornerstone of cybersecurity in any organization, but its effectiveness depends on its ability to adapt to a constantly evolving threat landscape. The combination of advanced technologies, automation, and skilled teams is key to minimizing risks and strengthening the security posture.

Investment in SOCs is not optional in the current landscape. With increasingly sophisticated threats, their role will remain critical for data protection, business continuity, and regulatory compliance in the coming years.