SOC vs MSSP: what are the differences?
Key differences between SOC and MSSP
The main differences between a SOC (Security Operations Center) and an MSSP (Managed Security Service Provider) lie in areas such as ownership, customization level, costs, and operational model.
Below are the key distinctions:
Ownership and Management
SOC: an in-house function managed directly by the company. It can be tailored to meet the organization’s specific needs, ensuring complete control over security processes.
MSSP: an external provider offering managed security services. Companies rely on an MSSP to outsource some or all security functions, reducing the need for direct management of infrastructure and personnel.
Scope of services
SOC: primarily focuses on continuous monitoring, threat detection, and incident response. It is designed to analyze threats in detail and proactively respond.
MSSP: offers a broader range of services, including firewall management, intrusion detection, vulnerability management, regulatory compliance, and security event monitoring. The focus is more on overall security management rather than immediate response to specific incidents.
Customization
SOC: provides highly customized protection tailored to the organization’s specific risks. Response protocols are developed internally to reflect the company’s unique environment.
MSSP: uses standardized protocols to manage common risks among clients. While this ensures efficiency and consistency, it may not fully align with the client organization’s specific needs.
Costs
SOC: requires a significant initial investment in infrastructure, advanced technologies, and skilled personnel. Ongoing operational costs remain high to keep expertise and technologies up to date.
MSSP: operates on a recurring payment model, offering a more affordable initial solution with predictable costs over time. However, for large organizations with complex needs, it can become more expensive.
Human Resources and expertise
SOC: includes highly specialized internal teams (Tier 1, 2, and 3 analysts) who develop an in-depth understanding of the organization’s specific context.
MSSP: relies on experts with cross-sector skills who work with multiple clients and industries. This approach provides a broader perspective on global threats but limits deep knowledge of individual organizations.
Operational approach
SOC: functions within the company’s infrastructure, allowing for rapid response times and close collaboration with internal IT teams.
MSSP: operates remotely using secure management tools. This approach offers advantages such as access to global threat intelligence but may lead to slightly slower response times for physical incidents.
Scalability
SOC: ideal for large organizations with sufficient resources to build a dedicated infrastructure.
MSSP: more suitable for small and medium-sized businesses that lack the resources to maintain an in-house SOC.
CyberTrust 365’s SOC as a Service
CyberTrust 365 offers an externally managed SOC in an “As a Service” model.
This solution allows businesses to benefit from a SOC team’s expertise while outsourcing management, resulting in cost savings and reduced time spent on security monitoring and incident response.
This approach enables all businesses, including small ones, to strengthen their security posture while focusing on their core operations without any concerns.