Establishing a global security operations center is an essential investment in your organization's security. Learn more about the benefits of an outsourced solution and how to choose the right provider.
Sept 29, 2023 INSIDE THIS ARTICLE, YOU'LL FIND: |
Now more than ever, businesses and their employees face ongoing challenges from increasingly sophisticated physical and digital threats. The responsibility of safeguarding people, sensitive data, and critical assets has never been more crucial — or more demanding. Unfortunately, not every company has the resources or budget to develop a full-time threat detection and response effort, even as their business scales.
Amid this challenging landscape, many organizations are turning to an innovative solution: outsourcing their security operations, typically to what’s called a security operations center (SOC) or a global security operations center (GSOC). Working with an experienced SOC partner is a powerful way for businesses to fortify their defenses against modern threats.
A SOC or a GSOC is a proactive nerve center dedicated to monitoring, analyzing, and responding to potential security breaches. However, establishing and maintaining an in-house GSOC can be an overwhelming task, requiring substantial investments in resources, technology, and skilled personnel. Outsourcing the GSOC presents a game-changing alternative, providing businesses with access to a specialized team of experts, state-of-the-art technologies, and continuous monitoring, all while freeing up internal resources to focus on core operations.
In this guide, we'll explore the benefits of SOC as a service, and how it empowers businesses to navigate the evolving landscape with confidence and resilience.
A GSOC or SOC is a centralized unit responsible for monitoring, detecting, and responding to security incidents and threats across an organization's infrastructure. It acts as the nerve center for security operations, providing real-time insights into potential risks and enabling timely responses to mitigate security breaches.
SOCs and GSOCs will continuously monitor a client’s physical security. These SOCs oversee various physical security measures, such as video surveillance and alarm systems, to identify potential breaches, unauthorized access, or unusual activities that could jeopardize the safety of employees, visitors, or valuable assets. A SOC can also monitor employees while traveling, as well as any threats in close proximity to their location to ensure the employee — and their employer — have full situational awareness and 24/7 real-time response if needed.
The same often goes for cybersecurity: SOCs continuously monitor an organization's network, systems, and applications for any signs of suspicious or malicious activity. Cybersecurity analysts within the SOC use advanced technologies and tools to collect and analyze data, looking for indicators of potential cyber threats, such as data breaches, malware infections, or unauthorized access attempts. Once a security incident is identified, the SOC's incident response team takes immediate action to contain and mitigate the threat.
By integrating physical security with cybersecurity in a unified SOC, organizations can better protect against comprehensive threats that may originate from both digital and physical realms.
There are many reasons why a company would choose to go with a managed GSOC, rather than building their own apparatus:
While outsourcing offers many advantages, some organizations may prefer an in-house GSOC to maintain full control over their security operations. Having an internal team may provide a deeper level of customization, aligning the GSOC's processes precisely with the organization's unique security needs and industry regulations. This level of control can be especially crucial for companies operating in highly regulated sectors with specific compliance requirements.
However, it's essential to consider the higher initial investment and ongoing costs associated with building and maintaining an in-house GSOC. Apart from the considerable upfront expenses, businesses must allocate resources for training, upgrades, and staying informed about evolving threats. For smaller organizations or those without dedicated security expertise, this can be a significant challenge.
Additionally, GSOC providers like Global Guardian can stand up and run the equivalent of in-house GSOCs for a client. Rather than the business investing on-going time and resources in maintaining their own GSOC, a provider can bring their expertise to running such an operation to the business — mitigating many of the benefits that creating one’s own GSOC would ostensibly bring in terms of integration and collaboration. The team can work closely with other departments, fostering collaboration and facilitating faster information sharing during security incidents.
By leveraging a managed GSOC, businesses can take advantage of a flexible model, paying for the services they need as they need them. This scalability allows businesses to tailor their security operations to match their requirements, making it an attractive option for organizations of all sizes.
In summary, a GSOC or SOC can take several forms. It can be a third-party command center that integrates with your existing organizational structure and handles all requests and emergencies; it can also be an in-house team that you either set up yourself or invite aboard to work more directly with the broader business. Either way, you’ll want to make sure that you’re working with a best-in-class team, as the safety of your people and assets is always the paramount concern.
Choosing the right Global Security Operations Center (GSOC) service provider is a critical decision that can significantly impact your organization's security posture. This can include everything from how you plan and manage corporate travel, to monitoring your physical assets, to protecting your employees or leadership team when they’re at the office or on the go.
To ensure you make the best choice, consider the following key factors when evaluating potential GSOC service providers:
Choosing the right GSOC service provider is an essential investment in your organization's security. Take the time to conduct thorough research, consider your specific needs, and assess potential providers' capabilities to ensure a successful and long-term partnership. A well-chosen GSOC service provider will offer enhanced protection, enabling your business to operate confidently in an ever-changing threat landscape.
One such reputable GSOC option worth considering is Global Guardian. With a proven track record in managing GSOCs for diverse clientele, Global Guardian offers comprehensive security solutions backed by a team of highly skilled security experts. Their advanced technology infrastructure, proactive threat detection, and round-the-clock monitoring ensure a robust defense against risks.
Whether you opt for Global Guardian or another trusted GSOC provider, remember that outsourcing your GSOC empowers your business with cost-effective access to specialized expertise and state-of-the-art security technologies. This strategic move allows you to focus on your core operations while having peace of mind that your people and assets are well-protected.
The Global Guardian team is standing by to support your security requirements. To learn more about our Global Security Operations Center services and how we've supported clients in the protection of their assets, employees, and digital infrastructure, complete the form below or call us at + 1 (703) 566-9463.