What is the primary function of a security operations center (SOC)?

The primary function of a security operations center (SOC) is to monitor and manage an organization’s security systems and responses. A SOC serves as the central hub for an organization's cybersecurity activities, where security analysts and engineers continuously oversee network traffic, detect and respond to security incidents, and manage the security infrastructure. This includes monitoring for threats, analyzing security events, and ensuring that security protocols are being followed effectively.

While conducting employee training, developing security policies, and investigating security incidents are important elements of an organization's overall security strategy, they fall outside the main operational focus of the SOC. Employee training typically occurs in separate training sessions or programs, security policy development is generally the responsibility of senior management or compliance teams, and investigations into security incidents can be a collaborative effort that may involve the SOC but are not the primary day-to-day responsibilities of the SOC itself. The SOC's core mission is essentially to maintain situational awareness and ensure a swift and effective response to potential security threats.