Since various cyber threats can strike any time, your security systems must be active around the clock. For businesses handling sensitive data, particularly in regulated industries, continuously monitoring using a security operations center (SOC) is more than a smart precaution; it is a necessity.
What Is 24/7 Monitoring in a SOC?
Security Operations Center (SOC) monitoring refers to the real-time, around-the-clock surveillance of an organization’s digital environment. They aim to detect, assess, and respond to security events across all network activity, system logs, cloud services, endpoints, and user behavior.
SIEM systems and SOAR platforms support this effort by providing the data analysis and automation needed for a modern defense posture. These technologies gather data from across the infrastructure, apply analytics, and automatically execute predefined responses when threats are identified.
Threat intelligence feeds add a layer of protection by alerting the SOC to new tactics malicious actors use.
What Are the Four Types of SOC?
Organizations can choose from several SOC models, depending on their resources and operational complexity.
- Larger enterprises with the budget and personnel operate an Internal SOC entirely in-house, typically to maintain 24/7 staffing.
- An External SOC is entirely outsourced to a third-party provider, making it a practical option for companies that lack internal cybersecurity expertise.
- A Hybrid SOC combines internal teams with external partners, providing flexibility while maintaining some degree of in-house control.
- A Virtual SOC (vSOC) uses cloud-based tools and distributed teams to provide monitoring, making it scalable and cost-effective for smaller operations.
What is SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3?
SOC reports assess service organizations’ internal controls. Each type focuses on different areas.
- SOC 1 centers on financial reporting controls, making it particularly relevant to payroll processors or financial SaaS platforms.
- SOC 2 covers essential trust service principles, including how systems protect and manage sensitive information. This particular standard is frequently applied to technology firms and cloud service providers.
- SOC 3 addresses similar criteria as SOC 2 but offers a public summary designed for broader distribution. It does not include the detailed findings present in SOC 2 reports.
Why Is 24/7 SOC Monitoring Important for Cybersecurity?
Cyberattacks frequently occur outside traditional business hours, often during holidays, nights, and weekends.
When threats go undetected due to a lack of continuous monitoring, the consequences can be severe. Continuous monitoring shortens the time attackers remain undetected, commonly called dwell time, which is essential for reducing the potential fallout.
SOC teams working around the clock can act immediately. They don’t wait for business hours to respond; they work when the threat emerges.
What Threats Can 24/7 Monitoring Help Prevent?
Today’s SOCs are set up to respond to all kinds of threats, whether routine security issues or complex, high-risk incidents. Each of these risks can cause substantial harm if not identified and addressed immediately:
- Insider threats and unauthorized access from employees or compromised accounts
- Ransomware and phishing attacks, often delivered via email or third-party services
- Advanced persistent threats (APTs) that operate over long periods while avoiding detection
- Cloud misconfigurations, which can expose data unintentionally
- Third-party vulnerabilities introduced by software vendors or contractors
How Does a 24/7 SOC Improve Incident Response?
Speed matters whenever an incident occurs. A 24/7 SOC allows for faster triage of alerts, meaning threats can be validated and categorized quickly. On-call analysts provide immediate action, actively isolating individual systems or users to contain the threat.
SOAR platforms further accelerate response by automating standard tasks and workflows. As a result, security teams can focus on investigation and resolution, not manual steps.
What Are the Benefits of Round-the-Clock SOC Monitoring?
Organizations that implement nonstop monitoring gain several measurable advantages. There is a notable drop in the average time it takes to detect (MTTD) and respond (MTTR) to threats, which directly translates into reduced risk and less exposure.
It also supports compliance with HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR frameworks by maintaining detailed audit trails and ongoing oversight.
In addition, operational resilience improves. Continuous visibility helps prevent potential service disruptions and preserves customer trust during incidents. With a better handle on system activity, IT departments can act with greater confidence and utmost precision.
Who Needs 24/7 SOC Monitoring?
Healthcare providers, financial institutions, legal practices, and government contractors are all subject to elevated risk due to the nature of the data they handle and the regulations they follow.
Small and midsize businesses are also increasingly targeted. Many lack internal security teams, making outsourced or virtual SOC services an attractive and scalable option.
Additionally, companies supporting remote or hybrid workforces experience distinct challenges since endpoints and users are more dispersed than ever.
What Are the Options for Implementing 24/7 SOC Coverage?
Organizations can take several implementation paths, each with its own resource needs.
Building an in-house SOC provides maximum control but requires significant investment in tools, personnel, and training.- Partnering with a Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) brings security expertise and technology, minus the burden of maintaining it internally.
- A hybrid model can blend internal oversight with outsourced capabilities, including AI monitoring and on-call response.
- SOC-as-a-Service (SOCaaS) packages deliver affordability and scalability, making enterprise-grade security accessible to organizations of all sizes.
SOC Solutions That Work
Security doesn’t stop when the office lights go off. As threats become more persistent and sophisticated, having a team that monitors your environment every hour of every day is no longer optional. It’s a fundamental part of keeping operations safe and reputations intact.
Advantage Technology has decades of hands-on experience, advanced technology solutions, and a client-first mindset. If you’re looking for compliance expertise, intelligent threat detection, or end-to-end SOC services, our team is ready to assist. Call us today at 1-(866)-497-8060 or book a consultation online to connect with our team.
