Introduction to Security Operations Centers (SOC)

Security Operations and Risk Protection October 25, 2025
Enquire About This Course

Introduction

This introductory course provides a comprehensive overview of the **Security Operations Center (SOC)**, the nerve center for an organization's proactive defense and incident response. Participants will explore the core mission, foundational technologies, staffing models, and key processes that enable a modern SOC to function 24/7. It covers the incident lifecycle, from detection and triage to analysis and containment, emphasizing the critical role of Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) and threat intelligence. The course is ideal for those planning to work in, manage, or interact with a SOC, providing a solid grounding in operational cyber defense.

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the core mission, capabilities, and functions of a modern Security Operations Center (SOC).
  • Differentiate between various SOC operational models (e.g., internal, outsourced, hybrid).
  • Explain the functionality and importance of foundational SOC technologies (SIEM, SOAR, EDR).
  • Master the phases of the Security Incident Response Lifecycle.
  • Conduct basic security event monitoring, triage, and alert analysis.
  • Develop clear, structured playbooks and runbooks for common incident types.
  • Understand the role of threat intelligence in proactive SOC analysis.
  • Define key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics for measuring SOC effectiveness.

Target Audience

  • Aspiring SOC Analysts (Tier 1)
  • IT Operations and Network Administrators
  • Security Managers and Supervisors overseeing SOCs
  • Incident Response Team (IRT) Members
  • GRC and Audit Professionals assessing security operations

Methodology

  • Hands-on SIEM Alert Triage and Analysis Scenarios (Simulation)
  • Group Playbook Development Workshop for a Phishing Incident
  • Case Studies of Major Security Incidents and SOC Performance
  • Metrics and Reporting Dashboard Design Exercises
  • Role-Playing Incident Handoff Between SOC Tiers

Personal Impact

  • Foundational knowledge required for a career as a Security Operations Center analyst.
  • Ability to effectively operate and analyze data within core SOC technologies (SIEM, SOAR).
  • Mastery of the incident response lifecycle and containment strategies.
  • Enhanced professional credibility in the field of cyber defense and monitoring.
  • Improved critical thinking skills in rapidly prioritizing security alerts.

Organizational Impact

  • Faster detection and containment of cyber security incidents (reduced MTTR).
  • More efficient use of security technology investments (SIEM, SOAR).
  • A formal, measurable process for continuous security monitoring and response.
  • Improved coordination between IT operations, incident response, and executive management.
  • Reduced organizational risk through systematic and proactive threat hunting.

Course Outline

Unit 1: The SOC Mission and Organizational Models

Purpose and Structure
  • Defining the SOC mission, vision, and core capabilities (Monitoring, Triage, Response).
  • Overview of different SOC operational models (in-house, MSSP, hybrid, virtual).
  • Defining the SOC team structure: Tiers 1, 2, 3, and Threat Hunter roles.
  • Integrating the SOC with the Incident Response (IR) Team and Crisis Management.
  • Staffing, shift management, and the challenges of 24/7 operations.

Unit 2: SOC Technology Foundations

Tools of the Trade
  • In-depth study of Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems.
  • Understanding log aggregation, normalization, correlation, and alerting rules.
  • Introduction to Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR).
  • Overview of Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and Network Traffic Analysis (NTA) tools.
  • Asset inventory management and vulnerability management integration with the SOC.

Unit 3: Security Event Triage and Analysis

Detection and Prioritization
  • The process of security event monitoring, alarm generation, and alert fatigue management.
  • Triage methodology: verifying false positives and escalating true incidents.
  • The importance of contextual data (asset criticality, user identity) in analysis.
  • Understanding basic log analysis and forensic readiness for incident investigation.
  • Utilizing MITRE ATT&CK framework for categorizing and analyzing threat behavior.

Unit 4: Incident Response and Threat Intelligence

Action and Proaction
  • The Incident Response Lifecycle: Preparation, Detection & Analysis, Containment, Eradication & Recovery.
  • Developing and utilizing clear, actionable runbooks and playbooks for common incidents.
  • Defining containment strategies (network isolation, process termination).
  • Integrating threat intelligence feeds into SIEM for proactive monitoring.
  • Basic concepts of threat hunting and hypothesis generation.

Unit 5: Metrics, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement

Measuring Effectiveness
  • Defining key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics for SOC operations (e.g., MTTA, MTTR).
  • Developing effective operational and executive reports on SOC activities.
  • Continuous capability maturity model (CMM) assessment and improvement plans.
  • Managing documentation: playbooks, procedures, and knowledge base.
  • The ethical and legal considerations of security monitoring and data privacy.

Ready to Learn More?

Have questions about this course? Get in touch with our training consultants.

Submit Your Enquiry