If You’re Building Security Operations Center In-House, Consider This.

As more organizations place an increased emphasis on cybersecurity concerns, they’re faced with a decision early in their overall threat mitigation strategy development. Do they pursue building a security operations center (SOC) in-house, or look for an external partner to provide that capability? 

A security operations center helps organizations improve their threat monitoring, detection, and response capabilities. SOCs can provide support for identifying, protecting, and remediating threats like malware, ransomware, breaches, and phishing. They can also help organizations respond to security incidents quickly, investigate the root cause, and implement preventative measures. SOCs are also important to show that the organization is compliant with important security standards and best practices.  

Considering those benefits, and the fact that cyber attacks increased by more than 30% in Q2 2024 alone, it’s no wonder why organizations would want to take on that security infrastructure in-house. While building an in-house SOC might seem like a viable option, it involves many challenges that can be overwhelming. Make no mistake: Deciding to develop your own SOC is a huge undertaking that will involve a tremendous commitment of resources to accomplish. 

Just how big a task is it? Today we’re detailing some of the multitude of complexities of building a security operations center and why turning to external experts can be a more effective and efficient solution.  

Make Sure Your Business is Protected: Connect with our cybersecurity experts to get started on your tailored security solution today.   

10 Considerations for Building a Security Operations Center 

Clear Objectives & Scope 

To start, defining the objectives and scope of your SOC is crucial. This involves understanding the specific threats you aim to counter, the assets you need to protect, and the overall mission of your SOC. Clear objectives guide the SOC's design and operations but setting these goals is just the beginning. 

Finding & Retaining Talent 

Building a capable SOC requires recruiting and — just as importantly — retaining skilled personnel. Cybersecurity professionals are in high demand, and attracting top talent involves competitive salaries and comprehensive training programs. Additionally, retaining these professionals can be challenging due to high turnover rates and burnout. Continuous training and upskilling are essential to keep the team updated with the latest threat vectors and technologies. 

Identifying the Right Tech & Tools 

Building an effective SOC relies on a range of technologies and tools, including Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems, Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions, and threat intelligence platforms. Integrating Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) and sandboxing capabilities is also critical. Selecting and managing these tools requires expertise and resources, adding to the complexity of running an in-house SOC. 

Setting Up 24/7 Monitoring 

You may decide to build a security operations center, but that effort is wasted without round-the-clock monitoring to detect and respond to threats in real-time. This means establishing a reliable team and backup plans to ensure continuous operation, even in the face of unexpected issues such as power outages. Remember, even if you’re a 9-5 business your risk of an incident runs all day, every day. You’ll need people available to cover all shifts and the facilities to support their work.   

Developing Policies & Procedures 

Creating a comprehensive incident response plan is essential for handling security breaches effectively. This plan should outline detailed procedures and policies for different types of incidents, ensuring that the SOC can respond promptly and efficiently. What are your procedures if X happens?  

Beyond the experience needed to craft effective policies and procedures, you also need to stay informed about emerging threats. An in-house SOC must integrate threat intelligence into its operations to anticipate and counter new threats effectively. 

Outlining Compliance & Regulation Requirements 

Compliance with industry-specific regulations and contractual obligations is a significant aspect of running an SOC. For instance, the regulation framework for compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) includes specific monitoring requirements. And those are just two of many regulations, standards, and directives that may come into place.   

Ensuring adherence to these requirements is crucial to avoid legal and financial repercussions. Will your internal team have the expertise needed to clear these hurdles? 

Reporting & Metrics 

To measure the effectiveness of your SOC, you need to establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and develop a robust reporting system. This includes tracking and analyzing performance metrics to ensure that the SOC meets its objectives and delivers value. Without measurables, you won’t know if building a SOC is worth the cost — or achieving your security objectives. Absent measurable KPIs, critical alerts might be going unreviewed; you could be building a false sense of security.   

Ensuring Scalability & Flexibility 

An in-house SOC might face challenges related to scalability and flexibility. As your organization grows or your security needs evolve, adapting your in-house SOC can be difficult. External providers, on the other hand, often offer more flexible and scalable solutions. 

Establishing a Proper Budget 

Building and maintaining an in-house SOC involves significant costs. From initial setup to ongoing expenses for personnel, technology, and tools, managing the budget can be challenging. Unexpected costs can further strain financial resources, making it essential to plan carefully. 

Managing technology and contract negotiations requires specialized expertise. Without experienced personnel, organizations may struggle with vendor contracts, pricing, and technology integration. External SOC providers bring this expertise, reducing the burden on your internal team. 

Continuous Evaluation of Technology 

The field of cybersecurity is constantly evolving, and so should your SOC. Regular evaluation and improvement of technology and processes are necessary to stay ahead of threats. This requires dedicated resources and expertise, which can be challenging to maintain in-house.  

The preferred solutions of today may not be the best fit tomorrow. If you have to adjust, will you have the flexibility to do so after building a SOC in-house? 

Strengthen Your Response: Proactive organizations are embracing a cyber resilience strategy as part of their threat mitigation strategy. Learn more here.  

At Inversion6, We Take Difficult Off Your Plate 

Building an in-house SOC involves significant challenges, from recruiting skilled personnel to managing technology and compliance requirements. Partnering with an external SOC provider offers a more efficient and effective solution, allowing you to leverage specialized expertise and resources while reducing the burden on your internal team. For many organizations, outsourcing SOC operations is a strategic choice that delivers better security and operational efficiency. 

For more than 30 years, Inversion6 has crafted custom cybersecurity solutions fueled by innovative technology and data security strategies to protect organizations across a wide array of industries. We secure all areas of your enterprise by leveraging our senior-level experts and proven processes. We handle the responsibilities inherent in running and building a security operations center through:  

1. Experience and Expertise — Our professionals specialize in security operations and use their wealth of knowledge and best practices to ensure your SOC is as effective as possible. 

2. Cost Efficiency — We provide an all-in-one solution and help you avoid the steep requirements needed to build out a SOC (and the team to operate it) internally. 

3. Scalability — We can adapt quickly to your changing security needs and scale our services as your organization grows. This gives you the agility lacking when taking on a SOC in-house. 

4. Staying Up to Date — Security is what we do. We’re in the loop about the latest technology and threat intelligence. Your SOC is always ready for its job, so your team can focus on core business functions.  

Ready to start building an in-house security operations center? Talk to our team first. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about how we can help.