How the Security Operation Centres (SOC) Work?

What has become a norm in the IT and data world like something you would hear every other day? It is a cyber-attack!!

If your business lacks a robust security system for their data and server then mind you, you cannot keep up with the growing number of all kind of attacks. There is an increasing concept of having security operation centres (SOC) within the business to save from any security attacks and threats.

But what if your company does not have this centre implements? Then apparently your data is not as protected as it should be and it can be easily attacked. You won’t be able to track any events or patterns which are entering your data resource system and also won't be able to manage any possible threats.

There are several ways in which a professional managed SOC can play a role in the safety and security the data of your business. Building and manage SOC, and the team related to it can be a lengthy process and requires a lot of thought to put in. Therefore, utilising the services of the already operational centre can be an inexpensive and efficient way to secure the data of your business. 

It is because when you are working with an experienced SOC, then they know how to deal with the unforeseen security issues which might arise while they are providing you with the services.

Role of Security Operation Centre:

These centres operate in a way that they track and monitor all the activities that are happening on the servers, networks, databases, endpoints and other sources where the company's valuable data is saved.  

These centres will ensure that your business is safe from all the possible security threats which are identified, reported and rectified through a systematic process. Therefore, it has become the essential aspect of any business to acquire the SOC services for the safety of the data.

The Process of SOC:

So if you are curious about how these centres work then here is the complete information on how these security operation centres work and process when they are providing the services to other businesses:

Just so you know the SOC team is not focusing on developing a security strategy, but instead, they are responsible for an operational aspect of security. The group consists of an analyst who is responsible for the detection, analysis and reporting as well as the prevention of any events which are observed on the server or the data.

Finalize the Strategy:

Once a business has acquired the managed SOC services then the first step is to come up with a strategy which aligns with the business long term and short term goals and visions. It will also incorporate the specific goals from all the operating departments and also input from the team leads so that everyone is on the same page.

Implementation of the Infrastructure:

Each data source can use different infrastructure based on different conditions. A typical SOC infrastructure consists of firewalls, breach detection solutions, probing and even the tracking and management of the event. 

It is up to analyst who is responsible for the operations of the security and data collection. There are different methods which can be utilised for drawing patterns from the data activity.

Evaluation:

Once the strategy is finalised, it is essential to start a test task just to know if things are operating properly and monitoring is carried out properly. These centres also administer and monitor the networks as well as the vulnerabilities present at the endpoint. The evaluation will give an edge to rectify any processing issue. Security issues managed by SOC team should be able to give your data the right kind of security and save it from any cyber-attacks. 

In other words, outsourced SOC services will enable your business to operate without any security or cyber attacks and make your data safe and secure.

Take away-

You cannot ignore the importance of ensuring the safety of your business data regardless of the size of the business. The use of SOC services has become a must in this rapidly growing cyber attacks community so that your business can operate smoothly and up to the mark.

Recommended:

• How To Get Started with Behavioural Analytics
• The Effectiveness of Endpoint Detection and Response

Read More

Understanding Cyber Security Comprehensively

It goes without doubt that every solution breeds new problems. So, it’s right about technology. However, the man is happy to be connected globally through the, but his information has become vulnerable to be exploited by the cynical mind.

Therefore, the security concerns have attracted the attention of many researchers, scholars, IT professional and none other than the organizations holding public information.

Defining cybersecurity (CS) is an intricate process of elaborating the core concept, key terms, the working process, and methodologies. It is owing to the fact that it is not only a study for learning but a field of practical implementation. 

What is Cyber Security all About?

Cybersecurity is referred to the practice of ensuring protected availability, confidentiality, and integrity of information.

The terminology is described using different other words. Just for information, the cybersecurity synonym can be the information security, IT security, Data security and computer security.

The concept represents the capability to identify potential cyber threats and mechanisms to defend against the risks. Further, recovery from information loss and data breaches also come under the sphere of CS. Therefore, the use of threat intelligence has become an essential characteristic.

So, the field largely comprised everything related to the information hacking, misuse and exploitation of data by any means without the awareness and consent of the information holders. Starting from script kiddies to mega data breaches, everything can be prevented using cybersecurity techniques.

“The measures are taken to protect a computer or computer system against unauthorized access or attack.” 

Types of cybersecurity

The scope of cybersecurity cannot be measured using the quantitative analysis because it is significantly broad. However, the kinds of CS are actually the primary areas under which cyber threats are identified and eliminated. Let’s consider a few: 

Network Security

As its name indicates, protecting the network against unauthorized access or malicious intrusions is the prime objective of cybersecurity.  Therefore, it is a type where the sole focus of the prevention methodology is to guard communication networks.

There are various tools available which enable the IT professionals to monitor, supervise and safeguard communication channels, networking routers, and other interfaces from where the intruders can compromise users’ information.

However, the use of Artificial Intelligence in security computer networks has become frequent owing to proactivity. Not only this, AI has helped to flag malicious behaviors and abnormal traffic to prevent information threats. Moreover, rapid alerts are generated in real time. 

Critical Infrastructures

These are the systems on which the societies generally rely on.  For instance the power grids, traffic lights, water purification, hospitals equipment, etc. are maintained using centralized networks. 

So, these types of systems require proper security to operate properly. It is an active sphere of the security analytics owing to the significance and scope of operations.

Therefore, organizations are responsible for protecting their critical infrastructures with due diligence to understand vulnerabilities. 

Application Security

Application security (AppSec) is primarily related to the safety of applications over the Internet. Websites and smartphones apps have become highly vulnerable to attacks. It is the reason that cybersecurity is considered imperative to mitigate websites hacking and information breaches.

Therefore, Rapid application development and deployment processes are implemented to ensure compactness of websites and security management have been done on priority basis. 

Cloud Security

Everything today is saved in the cloud. So, it has become the norm of the modern day technological world. It has offered many attractive benefits on the part of mega enterprises. However, it is also vulnerable to security threats.

So, this field of cybersecurity ensures to implement adequate precautionary measures to protect data stored in clouds.  Usually, threat intelligence is applied to storages space to provide secure data transmission and manipulation over the cloud networks. 

Internet of Things (IoT) Security

IoT is getting augmented popularity owing to its ultimate benefits. It is generally referred to as multifarious critical and non-critical physical and cyber systems such as appliances, printers, sensors, and security cameras.

The prime purpose of deploying cybersecurity in the field of IoT is to eliminate the chances of system breaches and devices.  It helps to offer a peaceful society to live in a secure environment. This is usually done by implementing a contingency plan based on security analytics and comprehensive firewall policies. 

Takes Away

Cybersecurity is a field having multifarious branches because it is related to every single entity which uses information or network systems.

Related Articles:

• How to Improve Threat Intelligence Strategy
• Escape Phishing Attacks to Improve Cyber-Security

Read More

How To Improve Threat Intelligence Strategy

Information technology has played its magic in almost every field and business world is one of them. It has completely transformed various business operations, providing cloud, and dedicated servers etc. to store data. These technology tools also require high level of data security protection measures. But most of the time companies overlook this factor.

So, the point has been understood that technology has become the first reliance when it comes to the storage, retrieval and manipulation data. However, cyber intelligence is the factor that is often overlooked by organizations. 

Although it protects you from future security threats including bad actors, methods, vulnerabilities and targets in the best way possible.   

What is threat intelligence and why we need it?

From the past few decades the implementation of intelligence in cyber world has received a lot of attention. It is knowledge that enables you to not only identify security threats but also deal with them and make informed decisions. You can get more proactive about the future security threats through this.

Although the terminology has been defined by various dictionaries in different ways, but the authentic explanations are as given:

Threat intelligence is defined as evidence-based understanding of security threats using context, indicators, mechanisms, implications to give an actionable advice. Further, emerging threats are detected using existing patterns and Meta data in order to make decisions and detect menace of data threats. – Gartner

 

The set of data collected, assessed and applied regarding security threats, threat actors, exploits, malware, vulnerabilities and compromise indicators – SANS Institute

As long as security breaches and threats are concerned, every business is looking for ways to protect their information. The threat is always there due to our high reliance on these information technology tools. There is tremendous pressure over organizations to manage data security threats.

Of course, that is no easy feat. 

This phenomenon naturally pulls us towards the adoption of intelligent methods for threats elimination. Before going for a comprehensive strategy there are various questions that you should ask:

• Why you are looking for secure intelligence management?
• What are your goals?
• What you should protect most?

This information will help you to build up your Priority Intelligence Document (PID), which is considered to be the foundation of every cyber security program. 

Ways to improve your threat intelligence strategy

Who would not look for a strategy that is powerful enough to promise data security without compromising business needs?

Of course, everyone will.

Let’s not forget that many data breaches do not occur just because of malwares or cyber security issues, they happen due to careless online activities. But there are numerous ways to improve your organizational data security that are following:

Buy or Build? Choose wisely

Let’s get straight but the bad thing about the strategy is that you can never have it enough.

As a small company you may have few technology professionals who fix their gaze to protect their organization’s network and data. With passage of time they may realize that their job is getting big. They more they find, the more they get.

Eventually a point comes when they become aware about the shortcomings of their network and system development.

Now the question is whether we should build or buy? It is vital to choose wisely at this point while keeping in mind the organization’s profit, time and resources.  

If you have the right resources to build a powerful system that will suffice all your security needs then go for it. No one can understand you needs better than you.

A constant check        

Prevention is better than cure.

The same goes for intelligent strategy of threat management, as the threat landscape is changing at a tremendous rate. Keeping yourself in check would be a great investment to save your organization from future threats. If you have hired a threat analyst then engage with them. Get all the required information and act accordingly.

Pick the right threat analyst who will be capable enough to ward off threats before impacting the organizations operations and efficiency. 

Fill the knowledge Gap

The process of information protection can be as complicated as you take it to be. There is a huge knowledge gap that we need to cover. Sadly, many organizations are not even aware that why they need it. Sometimes even analysts do not covey the information properly, as they lack the ability to translate all the cyber threats properly. That results into data loss.   

In conclusion, improving your strategy and taking these threat intelligence measures will benefit you in long run. Your organization’s data will be protected from future threats and malwares.  

SEE ALSO:

• Cyber Security Innovations That Are Expected In 2018
• Cyber Security Tips To Secure Important Data
• A Brief Guide for GDPR Compliance

Read More