A security operations center (SOC) is responsible for protecting an organization against cyber threats. SOC analysts perform round-the-clock monitoring of an organization’s network and investigate any potential security incidents. If a cyberattack is detected, the SOC analysts are responsible for taking any steps necessary to remediate it. It comprises the three building blocks for managing and enhancing an organization's security posture: people, processes, and technology. Thereby, governance and compliance provide a framework, tying together these building blocks. A SOC within a building or facility is a central location from which staff supervises the site using data processing technology. Typically, a SOC is equipped for access monitoring and control of lighting, alarms, and vehicle barriers.

SOC can be either internal or external. In the latter case, the organization outsources the security services, such as monitoring, detection and analysis, from a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP). This is typical to small organizations which don't have the resources to hire, train, and technically equip cybersecurity analysts.

SOCs can play a very important roles in addressing the skill gap in cybersecurity which can maximize the effectiveness of human efforts. For example, they can serve as hubs that can tackle quick responses for so when an attack comes, there is zero worry for the teams to make a counter.

Evolution and AI Integration

While traditional SOCs relied on manual alert triage, modern operations increasingly leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to address "alert fatigue" and the global cybersecurity skills gap. AI is utilized within the SOC as a force multiplier in several key areas:

  • Automated Triage: AI can be used to process enormous volumes of alert data in near-real time to identify high-confidence threats.
  • Autonomous Response: Machine-speed "active responses" such as automatically isolating a compromised endpoint or initiating takedown of malicious domains, reducing the mean-time-to-remediate.

IT

An information security operations center (ISOC) is a dedicated site where enterprise information systems (web sites, applications, databases, data centers and servers, networks, desktops and other endpoints) are monitored, assessed, and defended.

The United States government

The Transportation Security Administration in the United States has implemented security operations centers for most airports that have federalized security. The primary function of TSA security operations centers is to act as a communication hub for security personnel, law enforcement, airport personnel and various other agencies involved in the daily operations of airports. SOCs are staffed 24-hours a day by SOC watch officers. Security operations center watch officers are trained in all aspects of airport and aviation security and are often required to work abnormal shifts. SOC watch officers also ensure that TSA personnel follow proper protocol in dealing with airport security operations. The SOC is usually the first to be notified of incidents at airports such as the discovery of prohibited items/contraband, weapons, explosives, hazardous materials as well as incidents regarding flight delays, unruly passengers, injuries, damaged equipment and various other types of potential security threats. The SOC in turn relays all information pertaining to these incidents to TSA federal security directors, law enforcement and TSA headquarters.

Regulatory requirements

Security operations centers play a central role in meeting regulatory mandates for continuous monitoring and incident detection across multiple frameworks.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Security Rule requires covered entities to implement procedures for monitoring log-in attempts and reporting discrepancies under 45 CFR 164.308(a)(5)(ii)(C), as well as audit controls that record and examine activity in information systems containing protected health information under 45 CFR 164.312(b).. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The December 2024 HIPAA Security Rule notice of proposed rulemaking (90 FR 898) would mandate deployment of technology solutions for continuous monitoring and real-time threat detection, explicitly requiring capabilities typically centralized in a SOC.. Federal Register. January 6, 2025.

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) version 4.0 Requirement 10.4 mandates that audit logs are reviewed to identify anomalies or suspicious activity, and Requirement 12.10 requires establishment of an incident response capability, functions commonly housed within a SOC.. PCI Security Standards Council. March 2022. NIST Special Publication 800-53 control SI-4 (Information System Monitoring) requires organizations to monitor information systems to detect attacks and indicators of potential attacks, providing the operational basis for SOC functions in federal agencies.. National Institute of Standards and Technology. September 2020.

See also

9 Key Benefits of Security Operations Center (SOC) in 2025. (2025, February 3). Radiant Security. https://radiantsecurity.ai/learn/soc-benefits/