Security operations centers (SOCs) serve as the central nervous system for an organization’s cybersecurity defenses, tasked with continuously monitoring and analyzing security threats. The architecture of a SOC varies significantly across different organizations, shaped by factors such as company size, available resources, and specific security needs.
The most prevalent model in today’s landscape is the hybrid SOC, utilized by 63% of organizations, as per a 2023 Gartner report on modern SOC strategies. The hybrid model combines internal staff with external resources, balancing control and expertise. 34% of organizations—typically larger entities that can support round-the-clock operations with their resources—favor a fully internal SOC. Adoption of new models is often driven by digital initiatives, with over half the organizations assessing their SOC’s operating model at least quarterly, if not more often, as per the report.
People, process, and technology factors have a strong and significant relationship with SOC success, with process and technology factors accounting for 71.2% of the variance in SOC success, according to a 2021 study. Let’s uncover the different organizational and operational models of SOCs, highlighting their unique aspects and applications.
SOC Organizational Models According to MITRE
Drawing on insights from MITRE’s book on running a world-class SOC, we can see how each SOC organizational model, as defined by the MITRE Corporation, serves different strategic needs and constituency sizes, from ad hoc setups for small-scale operations to national SOCs designed for country-level cybersecurity.
Ad Hoc Security Response
This model involves no standing incident detection or response capabilities. In the event of a cybersecurity incident, resources are gathered as needed, and the team convenes temporarily to resolve issues. This approach is common in smaller businesses where cybersecurity is not a constant concern, making it a cost-effective but less secure option.
Suitable for: Small Businesses
Security as Additional Duty
In this model, SOC functions are part of other job duties. For example, a system administrator might also handle incident response as issues arise. This approach can be seen in organizations where formal SOC structures are absent but some SOC-like duties are integrated into other roles.
Suitable for: Small businesses, small colleges, or local governments
Distributed SOC
This model is composed of a decentralized pool of resources housed in various parts of the organization. This allows for specialization in different areas, improving response capabilities by leveraging localized knowledge.
Suitable for: Medium-sized businesses, small to medium colleges, local governments
Centralized SOC
All resources for security operations are consolidated under one authority in a centralized location. This model is one of the most common and provides a comprehensive and integrated approach to managing security operations.
Suitable for: Medium to large-sized businesses, educational institutions
Federated SOC
Organizations that operate semi-autonomously but share some security policies and procedures. Each unit runs its own SOC but coordinates closely with others, maintaining a balance between independence and unified security standards.
Suitable for: Diverse organizations with distinct operational units
Coordinating SOC
One group oversees and coordinates the activities of other SOCs within the organization. It primarily focuses on situational awareness and overall incident management, providing guidance without direct operational control.
Suitable for: Large businesses or government institutions
Hierarchical SOC
Functions similarly to a Coordinating SOC but with a more active role in directly offering SOC services to lower-level SOCs. It handles broader responsibilities like engineering, cyber threat intelligence (CTI), and malware analysis.
Suitable for: Very large businesses or government institutions
National SOC
A national SOC is responsible for enhancing the cybersecurity posture of an entire country. It coordinates efforts across multiple constituencies and can orchestrate proactive security measures against significant cyber incidents.
Suitable for: National governments
Managed Security Service Provider
MSSPs are external organizations that provide SOC services in a business-fee-for-service relationship. This model is ideal for organizations lacking the internal capabilities or resources to maintain their own SOC operations.
Suitable for: Organizations of all sizes
SOC Models and Types: Other Key Distinctions
Every SOC operates uniquely, tailored to its organizational environment. In this section, we will compare and contrast various SOC operating models, focusing on key operational aspects like staffing configurations, geographic considerations, and service delivery methods.
Staffing: Insourced, Outsourced, Hybrid
Organizations choose between insourced, outsourced, and hybrid staffing models based on their specific needs, budget constraints, and strategic goals. Insourced, or in-house, staffing provides complete control over operations and allows for deep integration with the organization’s culture and policies. Outsourced staffing offers cost-efficiency and access to external expertise, which are particularly useful for specialized tasks or tasks during off-hours. Hybrid models blend the benefits of both, enhancing flexibility and scalability.
Geographic Distribution: Centralized SOC, Distributed SOC
A centralized SOC consolidates all cybersecurity operations into a single location, fostering enhanced collaboration and streamlined management. Conversely, a distributed SOC model spreads resources across multiple locations, which can improve response times and resilience against regional outages or attacks.
Service Delivery: Virtual SOC, Command SOC
Virtual SOCs operate remotely, leveraging cloud technologies to perform their duties without a physical facility, offering flexibility and reduced operational costs. Command SOCs are physical centers equipped with advanced tools and displays to centrally manage security operations, ideal for large enterprises with complex security needs.
Operating Hours: 24/7 SOC, Follow-the-Sun SOC
24/7 SOCs provide continuous monitoring and response capabilities, crucial for organizations requiring constant vigilance. Follow-the-Sun models use multiple SOCs in different time zones to ensure round-the-clock coverage, optimizing workload distribution and response effectiveness.
Governance Model: Centralized, Federated
Centralized governance models involve a singular authority that dictates SOC policies and procedures, ensuring uniformity but potentially reducing flexibility. Federated models allow for more autonomy within different organizational units, suitable for multinational corporations with diverse regulatory environments.
Smart SOAR: Supports Every SOC Model
As we evaluate different SOC types, it’s essential to recognize that they vary significantly in terms of maturity levels, technology stacks, and operational focus. D3’s Smart SOAR is designed not only to enhance security automation at large enterprises but also to effortlessly scale and support MSSPs and MDRs that oversee millions of endpoints. With our vendor-agnostic integrations, Smart SOAR ensures your SOC operations are not confined to any specific vendor’s toolset, helping you future-proof your security infrastructure. Interested in seeing how Smart SOAR can transform your SOC? Book a demo today.
