What is a SOC
and How Does it Work?

Security Operation Centers (SOC), also known as Information Security Operation Centers (ISOC), have now become a key component in the cybersecurity architecture. This nerve center, whether integrated within the organization (on-premise) or outsourced, is responsible for monitoring, detecting, and responding to security incidents in real time. It combines human expertise and cutting-edge technologies to provide proactive and reactive protection against increasingly sophisticated and evolving cyber threats.

“When 43% of attacks are executed in just a matter of seconds by threat actors, my SOC’s response needs to be as effective as possible.“

Operations

The operation of a SOC relies on a structured, hierarchical, and multi-level approach: monitoring, detection, analysis, incident response, threat management, and continuous optimization of processes and technologies. A SOC ensures continuous monitoring of networks, applications, and endpoints, such as computers, servers, or other connected devices, operating 24/7.

To accomplish this complex mission, the SOC depends on a multidisciplinary team, with roles that are essential to the proper functioning of cybersecurity. However, as they say, “each company has its own SOC”: strategies and skills are adapted to the needs and resources of each organization, so the following list is non-exhaustive:

• SOC Analyst: On the front line, the SOC analyst monitors systems in real-time to detect suspicious activity. They assess alerts generated by security systems, filter out false positives, and escalate serious incidents for further analysis. Their role is crucial for a swift and appropriate response to threats.

• Security Engineer: Responsible for managing and evolving security tools, the security engineer configures, deploys, and optimizes them. They also ensure the integration of new technologies within the SOC to maintain the robustness and protection of the infrastructure.

• Security Architect: This professional designs the organization’s overall security architecture, ensuring that each network component is optimized in a coherent and effective manner. They play a key role in planning security measures and implementing robust policies to prevent cyberattacks.

• SOC Manager: Leading the SOC, the SOC Manager oversees all daily operations, coordinates teams, and ensures that incident response processes are followed efficiently. They are also responsible for ongoing training of the teams and updating security protocols in response to new threats.

• Incident Response Expert: This specialist intervenes during critical incidents to conduct thorough investigations. They identify the source of the attack, assess the extent of the damage, and propose solutions to contain the threat and restore compromised systems. This expert works closely with legal teams and other relevant departments to ensure comprehensive incident management.

• Threat Intelligence Analyst: This professional focuses on the proactive analysis of emerging threats. By monitoring the trends and tactics of cybercriminals, they provide valuable insights that allow the SOC to prepare for and defend against potential attacks before they occur.

Most SOCs follow a hierarchical structure to manage security incidents, though this organization can vary depending on the entity. Generally, Level 1 monitors alerts and escalates them if necessary. Level 2, which is more experienced, resolves issues and restores systems. Level 3 actively searches for vulnerabilities and strengthens security measures. Level 4 oversees the entire operation, acts as a liaison with the rest of the company, and ensures compliance with regulations.

Regulation

Compliance is no longer just an obligation; it is the guiding thread that shapes every decision. In a world where regulations set the rules of the game, how can organizations implement increasingly advanced detection systems while operating within an ever-evolving and increasingly strict legal framework?

In the early 2000s, SOC implementation often involved basic deployment of log collectors and centralized alert management. However, recent regulatory developments, particularly in France with the French LPM (Loi de Programmation Militaire) and the requirements of PDIS (Prestataires de Détection des Incidents de Sécurité), have led to significant changes. These new rules require rigorous monitoring structures, including the obligation to detect specific types of attacks and to notify ANSSI (French National Cybersecurity Agency) in case of a breach. At the same time, SOC architecture has become more complex with the introduction of segmented trust zones and an expanded monitoring scope, now including new types of devices such as business servers and mobile endpoints. Furthermore, the regulatory landscape has become stricter with the introduction of standards like GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), which imposes strict constraints on the handling of personal data. This stringent framework, although challenging, drives SOCs to increase their level of maturity and integrate new roles, such as Data Privacy Officers (DPOs), to ensure continuous compliance.

The CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team), the CSIRT (Computer Security Incident Response Team), and the SOC (Security Operations Center) together form an interconnected cybersecurity ecosystem, where each entity plays a crucial and complementary role. Alongside the SOC, whose functions we have just described, these two other groups work in perfect synergy.

• The CERT can be seen as the strategic brain of this structure. It monitors the evolution of threats, centralizes requests for assistance following large-scale security incidents (often national or sectoral), identifies new vulnerabilities, and develops recommendations to mitigate or patch them. This information is then shared with CSIRTs and SOCs.

• The CSIRT, on the other hand, acts as the executive arm, directly intervening during security incidents. It is similar to the CERT but often operates within organizations or on a regional level. Whether private, commercial, or public, it uses intelligence provided by the CERT and other partners to analyze threats, coordinate responses, and restore affected systems. The CSIRT is also responsible for implementing corrective measures to prevent the recurrence of incidents, ensuring that lessons learned are integrated into the organization’s security practices.

The success of a SOC relies on an effective synergy between human resources and the right technologies. Its sustainability and efficiency depend on a well-defined strategy that seamlessly integrates these two dimensions.

• The human factor: The pillar of security  

Often considered the weakest link, humans are, in reality, the cornerstone of cybersecurity, especially in a high-performing SOC. The skills and commitment of operators are essential for ensuring a quick and appropriate response to threats. The first key to a SOC’s success lies in valuing and enhancing human expertise. In an environment where threats are constantly evolving, continuous training for SOC operators is vital. This training ensures a high level of vigilance and competency in the face of increasingly subtle risks. Regular audits and penetration tests (pentesting) are also indispensable for maintaining the SOC’s robustness. These assessments not only evaluate security levels but also help correct processes based on newly identified vulnerabilities, ensuring that the team stays updated and effective.

• Technological arsenal: A proactive defense 

Beyond the human factor, an efficient SOC must rely on a suite of sophisticated tools tailored to its environment. Traditional solutions, such as filtering systems, advanced firewalls, proxies, or Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS), play an important role as the first line of defense. Similarly, tools like Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions and Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) platforms provide automation and incident management capabilities that reduce the workload on teams. However, to go further and anticipate threats before they reach critical assets, Network Detection and Response (NDR) is an innovative solution for SOCs. Its effectiveness offers instantaneous detection and full visibility—two strengths that we will explore in detail in the next section.

Complementing these tools, or even supporting them, Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) plays a crucial role by enriching threat detection with contextualized cyber intelligence. Through automated sourcing, CTI provides relevant information that feeds into the SOC’s decision-making process. It allows the technological tools to be adapted and optimized according to the current threat landscape. By continuously connecting the SOC to real-world contexts, CTI enhances not only human performance but also the effectiveness of the compatible technologies. This ensures that every action taken is informed, precise, and suited to the realities of current threats.

An NDR (Network Detection and Response) enables continuous monitoring of network traffic, including encrypted flows, and identifies suspicious behaviors from the earliest weak signals. With high visibility into hidden threats, based on comprehensive metadata analysis, Gatewatcher’s NDR offers proactive protection that goes well beyond traditional methods. Designed to integrate seamlessly and agnostically within your existing cybersecurity ecosystem, it is easily configurable and allows for early, multi-vector threat detection. This approach is crucial for SOCs, as no single technology is sufficient to counter the diversity of threats. An attack often consists of multiple malicious tools with varied capabilities, requiring distinct detection methods.

The NDR relies on a detection platform that combines artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), dynamic and static analysis, as well as file analysis. This enables it to detect threats at every stage of their lifecycle, from reconnaissance to exfiltration. To enhance the NDR’s detection quality, Gatewatcher uses its own Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) feed. However, it also offers the ability to connect to other intelligence sources, leveraging existing ones.

In case of a threat, each detection engine generates distinct alerts based on the type of threat, the affected asset, or the user involved. These alerts are weighted to produce a risk score, allowing SOCs to efficiently prioritize which threats to address. This approach helps prevent alert overload, thereby reducing “alert fatigue.” SOC experts also gain deep control and knowledge of the information system (IS), thanks to automatic asset discovery and user behavior mapping, conducted passively.

Beyond security, an NDR also helps meet compliance requirements and provides the opportunity to build a global and scalable strategy. In four key steps, it identifies (inventory and mapping), protects (east/west and north/south traffic control, sovereign protection of critical data), detects (all types of threats from the earliest signs, logs, qualifies), and responds (prioritized treatment, orchestrated and automated remediation under SOC control). These are fundamental principles for any regulation: PDIS, LPM, GDPR, etc.

Thus, the NDR complements the traditional defense arsenal by offering proactive protection and effectively responding to all types of threats targeting the information system.

In a world where cyberattacks are evolving at a dizzying pace, and with the rise of AI, especially GenAI, promising even more sophisticated threats, a well-designed SOC is essential. Having the right human and technological resources allows teams to focus on what truly matters. It’s not just about reducing risks; it’s also about freeing teams from repetitive tasks so they can concentrate on what really counts. And because every company is unique, an effective SOC is built on smart management: investing wisely, where it’s needed, to protect assets and users.