Translated from 日本語 • View original 
"I think I can move flexibly if I make it in-house, but I'm worried about human resources and cost issues..."
"I feel safe about outsourcing, but I'm not sure if it's really suitable for my company..."
In order to answer such concerns, we thoroughly compared our own SOC and outsourced SOC from three perspectives: cost, effect, and risk.
Read to the end and you will be able to see the best option for your situation!
Cost **Comparison: Which is Really Cheaper? **
◼ Cost Structure of Your SOC
At first glance, it is easy to think, "Isn't it cheaper to do it yourself?", but in fact, it is characterized by the fact that the initial investment and hidden costs are easy to inflate.
- Introduction of security tools (SIEM, EDR, etc.)
- Recruitment and training costs for specialized personnel
- System construction, maintenance, and operation costs
- Staffing costs to maintain a 24-hour system
In particular, labor costs and education costs are continuously incurred, and there is a risk of operational instability due to turnover.
◼ Cost Structure of Outsourced SOCs
On the other hand, external SOC services often have a fixed monthly or usage-based fee structure.
- Easy to reduce initial investment at the time of introduction
- Clear operating costs and easy budget planning
- No training or tool maintenance costs
In many cases, it leads to cost optimization in the long run.
Point: Looking at the initial cost and maintenance cost comprehensively, outsourcing is easier to stabilize TCO (total cost of ownership).
Differences in effectiveness and operational quality: Expertise and responsiveness are key
◼ Benefits and Challenges of Your SOC
Building a SOC in-house has the advantage of being able to have a deep understanding of your own system and flexible operation. However:
- Security threats are evolving day by day, and it is necessary to constantly keep up with the latest knowledge and technology.
- Maintaining a monitoring system at night and on holidays is a heavy burden on personnel
- The accuracy and speed of alerts are highly dependent on human skills and structure.
There are many cases where "limited resources within the organization cannot produce the performance it should have".
◼ Strengths of Outsourced SOCs
External SOC services have a dedicated team of analysts to keep up with the latest attack techniques and trends. The main features are:
- High-precision alert analysis based on rich knowledge and response experience
- Rapid response and reporting in the event of an incident
- 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, no need to worry about personnel replacement or education
Point: If you value response quality and stability, an external SOC is more likely to lead to results.
Comparison in Terms of Risk: Continuity and Security Controls
◼ Risks of your own SOC
- It is difficult to pass on knowledge due to the retirement or transfer of key personnel
- The accuracy of alert response and log analysis is likely to depend on the person in charge, and it becomes more personalized.
- Delayed tuning and rule design, risking missing critical threats
In particular, many small and medium-sized companies say that they were unable to maintain the necessary system.
◼ Risks and Countermeasures for Outsourced SOCs
Concerns about how deeply they can understand your company's business and network
Concerns about handling information and contracts may arise
However, these points can be covered depending on the system, transparency, and collaboration mechanism of the service provider.
For example, Colorkrew Security provides SOC support by carefully understanding the customer's network configuration and operations.
**Point: In order to avoid dependency and continuity risks, the key is to have a cooperation system and reliability with external SOCs. **
Outsourcing SOC is recommended for such companies
Companies with the following challenges and concerns are worth considering outsourcing SOC positively:
- There is a shortage of human resources to handle security operations
- Feeling challenges in the speed and accuracy of incident response
- SIEM and other systems take time to operate and tune
- Costs are higher than expected, making budget planning difficult
- The person in charge is becoming more personalized, and I am worried about the future.
**With Colorkrew Security's SOC, you can operate safely and smoothly! **
Even if you feel that outsourcing might be better, many people are worried about how to actually introduce it and what they can be entrusted with.
Colorkrew Security provides flexible SOC implementation support tailored to your company's current situation and structure. For example,
- I want to leave only specific areas with the current management system.
- In the future, I would like to move the entire project to the outside world, but I would like to proceed step by step.
We also welcome consultations.
If now,
"Operation is not possible due to lack of people"<> "I can't do the work I should be doing because I am chased by alerts"
"Maintaining a SOC within the company may be the limit"
If you have any such situation, please feel free to contact us first. There are no unreasonable proposals or sales, so it is okay to use it as part of information gathering.
In order not to regret that you should have outsourced it at that time, try to expand your options.
Summary: The deciding factor in choosing is "your own resources and future management policy"
Do you want to operate your SOC in-house or outsource?
The answer depends on "your company's current resources" and "what kind of management system you are aiming for in the future".
For example, do you have any idea of this situation?
- I understand the importance of security, but I don't have enough people to devote it to operation.
- Alerts come up, but I can't decide how to respond.
- I am worried about the operation that is dependent on the person, and I feel that there are challenges in future continuity.
- Want to optimize costs for systems and personnel
These are all real problems that many companies face.
And instead of taking on these issues alone, you may be able to find clues to solutions by collaborating with an external professional team.
Please feel free to contact us first
"How should we proceed with outsourcing..."
"Can you handle it on a scale like ours?"
For those who have such questions and concerns, Colorkrew Security offers free consultations and hearings.
There are no unreasonable proposals or sales, so it is okay to use it as part of information gathering.
Please use this as an opportunity to organize "what options your company has".
Flow from Inquiry to Implementation
Inquiries (web form and email)
→ We will conduct a brief hearing on the content of the consultation and the current situation.
Hearing and Requirements Summary (Online MTG)
→ Organize your current security posture, issues, and future directions together.
Optimal proposal (plan description)
→ We will propose whether it is better to supplement the in-house system as it is, or whether it is better to leave it entirely, including step-by-step introduction.
Introduction preparation and kickoff
→ Initial settings such as aligning the scope of operation and system linkage will be made and the operation will be officially started.
Security operations are no longer just the job of IT departments.
As the core of risk management throughout the company, it is necessary to create a sustainable and stable system.
That's why if you are even a little worried about whether it is really okay to do it the way you are doing now, please contact us first.
We, Colorkrew Security, will help you as a partner in thinking about the optimal SOC system together.