Optimizing Your SOC: Security Operations Center Best Practices

The FBI fields more than 2,400 cyberattack reports every day. Extreme weather events are happening with increased frequency. And mass shootings have become tragically common occurrences.

Ransomware, hurricanes, and gun violence might seem disconnected. But taken together, these statistics represent the increasingly volatile threat landscape that businesses operate in today. Whether you’re a regional delivery company or an international e-commerce brand, your organization faces a wide array of security threats.

To protect your company’s resilience, you need resources dedicated to understanding, mitigating, and responding to these threats. This is where a security operations center (SOC) can help. But what exactly is a SOC, and how do you put one together?

Learn the security operations center best practices that will help you build, staff, and use a SOC to improve business resilience.

What Is a Security Operations Center?

A security operations center is an operational unit that monitors and improves an organization’s security posture while mitigating threats. While the term has traditionally referred to a physical location—a security command center—the rise of virtual and remote workplaces has shifted focus from on-premises to global functionality.

In some cases, SOCs are responsible solely for cybersecurity. The SOC serves as an orchestration center, handling everything from managing network traffic across endpoints to securing data, monitoring suspicious activity, and collaborating with third-party Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) to ensure comprehensive management of all cybersecurity incidents.

However, security teams have had to become more dynamic as the lines between cybersecurity and real-life events have blurred—such as cyberattacks disrupting travel routes and water treatment or causing electrical outages. Much of the cybersecurity management may be handled by MSSPs, allowing the SOC team to take responsibility for a company’s entire security posture. This includes monitoring physical threats to facilities and employees across various locations and managing incident response and oversight.

A SOC’s specific functions will vary from company to company, but it usually fulfills several critical roles within an organization:

• Proactive security monitoring: This covers everything from monitoring security cameras and other monitoring tools to managing network and server logs to uncover suspicious activity that could be a threat.
• Incident response coordination: During and immediately after an incident, the SOC will act as a central point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, providing information and directing resources as needed.
• Security remediation and improvement: SOC analysts can use penetration testing (a form of authorized simulated cyberattack) to detect vulnerabilities in your physical or digital infrastructure and recommend curative measures.
• Communication and intel: A SOC can aggregate disparate sources of threat intelligence and apply context, providing concise and actionable communication to every level of your organization.

10 Security Operations Center Best Practices

In an interview on The Employee Safety Podcast, Grant Hayes, owner of consulting firm Childers, Hayes, and Richards, shared insights from his storied career in physical security. With over 20 years of experience—protecting U.S. presidents as a secret service agent to overseeing security operations at industry giants like BP and Magnolia—Hayes provided a detailed look at building an effective SOC. He emphasized two core areas: 1) establishing the SOC’s foundational program to protect the business and 2) securing stakeholder buy-in to ensure the SOC’s alignment with business objectives.

Part 1: Building the security controls to protect the business

1. Start small to show immediate value

Many organizations without a strong SOC in place are paralyzed by indecision. The workload seems overwhelming, and resources often feel insufficient to build in-house security teams. However, any action is a step in the right direction. As Hayes says, “Just do it, just get it started. Kick this thing off because as soon as you do, there will be low-hanging fruit. You’re going to show those real quick wins to the organization.”

Starting with essential tools like security cameras and access controls can yield early successes, such as preventing incidents or identifying risks. These quick wins can then build the case for further investment in your SOC.

2. Leverage the right tools for context and real-time response

A SOC requires a comprehensive set of tools to give your team visibility and a deep understanding of threats impacting your business. Security monitoring, intrusion detection, and keycard systems protect the physical space, while firewalls, threat detection, and security tools based on automation protect the digital one. Every organization is unique, but nearly all can benefit from incorporating the following elements into their security posture:

• Night vision cameras: Hayes emphasizes the need for night vision cameras, which allow continuous monitoring of high-risk areas after hours and enable the SOC to detect unauthorized activity in low-light conditions.
• Access control systems: Hayes also recommends integrating access control with cameras. This setup allows the SOC to verify entry attempts in real time, improving responses to unauthorized access.
• Integrated communication platforms: To facilitate rapid, two-way communication during crises, Hayes points to platforms like AlertMedia, which allow the SOC to alert employees and gather feedback for coordinated responses quickly.
• Threat intelligence systems: According to Hayes, threat intelligence platforms are vital for aggregating data from multiple sources, allowing the SOC to identify potential threats early and respond proactively.
• Incident management systems: Incident management tools help the SOC document, track, and prioritize incidents, providing a structured process for organized, effective response efforts.
• Data analytics and visualization tools: To enhance situational awareness, Hayes highlights data analytics and visualization tools, which help SOC teams spot patterns and make fast, informed decisions in response to threats.
• Environmental sensors: Environmental sensors monitor conditions like temperature, motion, and vibration, which add additional security layers, especially for facilities with sensitive equipment.
• Emergency power systems: Finally, Hayes discusses the importance of backup power and redundancies to keep the SOC operational during outages and ensure that security operations remain consistent.

Many of the above are essential for compliance with widely recognized security standards from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), such as the Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) and NIST 800-53. Adhering to these standards supports compliance with regulations like HIPAA, GDPR, and PCI DSS, enhancing security, safeguarding sensitive data, and mitigating the risk of penalties.

3. Develop a strong communication and escalation framework with responders

In his interview, Hayes emphasizes the SOC’s role as a “threat communication node,” ensuring critical information flows seamlessly across the organization. Without effective communication, threats and response actions may not reach key departments in time, weakening the overall security posture.

Establish protocols that specify how to share updates based on the urgency and nature of the threat to maintain clear and efficient communication. Real-time tools can deliver instant alerts to employees on mobile devices, desktops, or other relevant channels for high-priority incidents, such as breaches or severe weather. These tailored communication methods help the SOC coordinate swift and effective responses.

4. Staff your security team with customer service experts

Staffing a SOC requires a broader perspective than focusing solely on technical expertise. While security skills are essential, the SOC’s role as a communication hub makes qualities like listening, composure under pressure, and effective communication equally important. As Hayes points out, “You want people who are as good listeners as they are communicators, calm under pressure, and have a customer service aspect to them to be really successful.”

Customer service professionals, accustomed to handling urgent situations and communicating clearly with diverse audiences, often excel in these areas. With these interpersonal skills, SOC team members can manage incidents smoothly and ensure that critical updates reach the right stakeholders.

5. Incrementally improve

With the basics in place—people, processes, and tools—the SOC can begin laying the groundwork for continuous improvement. By regularly evaluating data and results from initial programs, the SOC gains insights into what’s working and where adjustments are needed. This incremental approach fine-tunes response protocols, technology usage, and communication strategies, ensuring the SOC adapts to emerging threats and organizational needs.

Part 2: Gaining stakeholder buy-in to support business objectives

6. Align SOC goals with core business objectives and metrics

A security operations center isn’t just essential for business protection; it can be a revenue driver when implemented effectively. For example, consider a SOC for a logistics firm. One of its essential tasks is monitoring road conditions to ensure that vehicles can be redirected in the event of a disaster.

This situational awareness helps companies avoid costly delays in the short term, but it also has long-term value. The data collected can be used to refine truck routes, enabling the logistics firm to establish more efficient and profitable paths.

This concept applies to any business. Security cameras and access controls can monitor foot traffic and improve layouts for customer experience or marketing visibility. Environmental monitors can also help maintain consistent, more energy-efficient resource use. A SOC’s activities can directly support business objectives in dozens of ways. Aligning these functions can drive stakeholder buy-in.

7. Provide cross-functional training to security professionals

SOC operations are designed to manage a wide range of hazards, from proactive threat hunting to incident response. Effectively handling these diverse situations requires cross-functional training that equips team members with skills beyond their typical roles, fostering collaboration under pressure.

Hayes highlights this in the podcast, sharing how he trained SOC analysts in an oil and gas company by taking them into the field. Analysts gained familiarity with key terms, processes, and visuals by observing equipment like pump jacks and drilling rigs. This hands-on experience enhanced their ability to interpret field footage and respond confidently. Understanding the business’s day-to-day needs also strengthened trust and improved communication between analysts and field staff, enabling faster, more effective responses during critical events.

8. Leverage data to drive decision-making

Using SOC data, you can secure stakeholder buy-in and drive decision-making. Integrating a range of tools into a unified platform enables a cohesive, data-informed response that directly supports business objectives.

An effective SOC platform combines essential tools that offer real-time insights and streamlined communication. Key components include:

• Emergency communication systems: Delivers rapid, multichannel alerts to keep employees informed during critical events.
• Threat intelligence: Provides verified insights on emerging threats, enabling proactive response planning.
• Employee safety monitoring: Tracks and supports employees in high-risk or isolated situations.
• Travel risk management: Monitors travel risks to protect and guide employees while they’re on the move.
• Comprehensive endpoint monitoring: Tracks endpoint activity to identify potential vulnerabilities or breaches, ensuring robust protection against threats targeting devices within the network.
• Security information and event management (SIEM): Brings together data from a wide range of sources to provide a comprehensive view of the organization’s threat landscape, from cybersecurity to on-premises events.

By consolidating these tools in a single platform, SOC teams can transform complex data into clear, actionable insights, supporting immediate safety and broader business goals while building stakeholder confidence.

9. Run regular drills to evaluate your reactions and security solutions

In Hayes’s example regarding the oil and gas industry, he emphasized how SOC training benefits from real-world exposure. This approach helped analysts understand the equipment and workflows and improve their confidence and communication with field staff. Those two components—communication and confidence—are vital, but they only get better through practice. Some ways to tackle that include:

• Scenario-based drills: Conduct full-scale drills that simulate various threats, such as natural disasters or security breaches, involving relevant teams across the organization. In this way, each team can practice its role in a controlled, realistic setting.
• Tabletop exercises: Run tabletop exercises that allow SOC personnel to walk through potential scenarios in a low-pressure environment. These exercises help build confidence, allowing security team members to explore different response strategies without the intensity of a live drill.
• Technical and situational simulations: Set up physical and cyber threats simulations, allowing SOC analysts to practice identifying and responding to diverse situations. These simulations could involve lockdown procedures, containment practices, or rapid decision-making exercises.
• After-action reviews: After each drill or exercise, hold an after-action review where team members can discuss what went well, identify areas for improvement, and refine protocols. These reviews provide valuable insights and help teams continuously improve their response capabilities.

Through this variety of training methods, SOC teams gain the technical and interpersonal skills necessary to handle incidents effectively. This ensures their operations are integrated with the broader organization and reinforces stakeholder trust in their abilities.

10. Use feedback loops to improve operations

We mentioned feedback loops briefly in the previous section in relation to AARs. These reviews capture insights immediately after incidents or training exercises, providing a structured opportunity to reflect on both successes and areas for improvement. AARs serve as a formal mechanism to compare intended outcomes with actual results, allowing SOC teams to identify and address performance gaps, refine procedures, and build a culture of continuous improvement

Why Your Company Needs a SOC

An in-house SOC may seem redundant if your company already has a network operations center (NOC) to handle cyber threats and incident response. However, a SOC provides a more comprehensive approach, prioritizing security with proactive threat intelligence, emergency management, and regulatory compliance. Here are four key benefits of a dedicated SOC.

With a dedicated SOC, your company gains a reliable security and emergency response hub that goes beyond protecting systems to build a resilient, compliant, and proactive organization. As threats evolve and regulatory standards become more stringent, a SOC ensures that security and compliance are embedded into the company’s strategic framework.

Embracing a Continuous Cycle for SOC Development

Your organization faces various daily threats, whether digital or physical, big or small. Building resilience is essential to protecting your company, and a SOC is uniquely positioned to drive this process. Unlike department-led initiatives that might leave gaps, a SOC can address organization-wide needs with a comprehensive, cohesive plan. By managing risks through a central, dedicated team, the SOC ensures a coordinated approach that spans every facet of your operations.

Following security operations center best practices sets the foundations for a SOC that evolves based on experience and data. Beginning with an initial functional setup allows you to demonstrate immediate value, paving the way for ongoing improvement. You refine physical space, technology, and processes through each iteration to strengthen your organization’s resilience.