by Eric Wesley

When faced with a new or unfamiliar task, we often look to experts for a solution. Experts possess experience and specialized knowledge that we do not have. They know what tools to use and employ processes that not only save time but also assure quality, repeatability, and predictability. More often than not, starting with an expert, rather than engaging one after costly do-it-yourself (DIY) efforts, is more cost effective and efficient.

Consider those who feel remodeling a bathroom is a straightforward task easily accomplished. Anyone who has undertaken such a project knows that plumbing can be tricky. Many would-be DIYs ultimately engage an expert to undo the failed attempt, wasting valuable money, time, and resources.

So it is with Security Operations Centers (SOCs). With the rising number of cyber incidents and breaches, more and more organizations must institute this kind of monitoring to prevent or detect incidents affecting their networks and service delivery. Federal agencies are no exception. In fact, they face many cybersecurity mandates to prevent unauthorized access to personally identifiable information (PII), sensitive data, intelligence, and more.

Some federal agencies may question, how hard can it be to create and operate an SOC? A simplistic view would reduce the process to obtaining funding, drawing on in-house talent or hiring consultants to develop a model, buying the hardware and software, staffing the SOC, and beginning operations. What could go wrong?

Some federal agencies may question, how hard can it be to create and operate an SOC? … What could go wrong?

Perhaps nothing or maybe everything. Just as demonstrated in the remodeling scenario above, it is often best to engage an expert with experience from the beginning. Here are seven reasons why:

1. Establishing and managing SOCs are complex activities involving significant costs and multiple skillsets. Beyond complexity, these functions are time-consuming at every stage of the SOC lifecycle.
    
2. Outsourcing SOC operations allows federal organizations to focus on their mission-related activities while cybersecurity experts focus on theirs: threat identification and response.
    
3. Moving to an outsourced SOC model offers agencies flexibility in resource allocation, reduced administrative burden, and economies of scale.
    
4. Contracting for SOC operations offers government agencies immediate access to seasoned experts who have past experience establishing SOCs – and a replicable model for doing so – as well as the latest technology and top-notch personnel. In short, agencies quickly enhance their cybersecurity posture with a cost-effective, scalable solution that yields a positive return on investment of taxpayer money.
    
5. Competing for experienced cyber professionals is difficult. Because of market demand, agencies often must hire recently certified individuals with limited or no real-world experience. Going with an experienced federal contractor avoids learning-curve delays and ensures staff competence from the start.
    
6. Dealing with threats is a 24/7/365 function wherein the landscape constantly shifts and tactics increasingly become more sophisticated. Ongoing training and technology upgrades matter. Providers offer agencies the benefits of industry partnerships, dedicated R&D budgets, agility and adaptability, commercial focus, and global networks.
    
7. Outsourcing enables smaller agencies with limited budgets to partner and share SOC costs.

Contracting for SOC operations offers government agencies immediate access to seasoned experts who have past experience establishing SOCs – and a replicable model for doing so – as well as the latest technology and top-notch personnel.

Electrosoft currently operates successful SOCs for federal agencies of varied sizes and missions. Our replicable model is proven to deliver high-quality results. Recently, a senior federal leader wrote the following unsolicited kudo about an Electrosoft SOC team:

“As we begin the new year I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and the team for your continued support of [our] cyber efforts. The security OPs team has been invaluable in their work to secure [our] environment and extremely willing to meet tasks at whatever moment the challenge presents itself. In the new year I am looking forward to continued success and growth.”

We’ve written about our SOC experience in client success stories (see Improving Cybersecurity Through Better Tools, Processes and Automation and Protecting U.S. Economic Interests Through Cybersecurity and Privacy Services), a technology report, and multiple blogs.

If you’d like more information on how Electrosoft can assist your agency’s cybersecurity efforts, please reach out to us here.