SOC
Definition
A Security Operations Center (SOC) is a centralized unit that deals with security issues on an organizational and technical level. A SOC is a facility where enterprise information systems (web sites, applications, databases, data centers and servers, networks, desktops and other endpoints) are monitored, assessed, and defended.
Why It Matters
A SOC is the team of people responsible for an organization's cybersecurity defense. They are the human experts who monitor for threats, investigate incidents, and respond to attacks, 24/7.
Contextual Example
A security analyst in a SOC sees an alert from their SIEM system about a potential malware infection on an employee's laptop. They investigate the incident, isolate the laptop from the network, and work to remove the malware and determine the source of the infection.
Common Misunderstandings
- A SOC brings together people, processes, and technology (like a SIEM) to protect an organization.
- The primary goal of a SOC is to detect, analyze, and respond to cybersecurity incidents.