Does Your Manufacturing Company Need a Security Operations Center (SOC)?

Summary

As more work is automated or digitized, cyberattackers have more opportunities to strike. Cybersecurity is a top concern for the manufacturing industry, and security operations centers offer a valuable solution.
 

What is a Security Operations Center (SOC)?

A SOC is a centralized facility for constant network monitoring and threat investigation. It unifies information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) security. The primary role of a SOC is to proactively defend against breaches. While a traditional IT department might focus on implementing and managing specific security measures, SOCs have a broader scope.
 

Signs a manufacturing company needs a SOC

Cyberthreats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, so firewalls and antivirus software are no longer enough to protect assets. A manufacturing company should consider a SOC due to:

Increasing automation and connectivity
Remote monitoring and management have risen in popularity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many critical manufacturing plants had to adopt robotic process automation (RPA) due to on-site worker restrictions. With more information stored in online networks and clouds for remote access, there are more opportunities for threats.

Experiences or fears of a cyber incident
Manufacturing is a top target for database leaks, ransomware and other cyberattacks. There were 377 confirmed attacks in the first half of 2024. Manufacturing plants of all sizes were targeted through business email compromise (BEC), and there was a staggering 3,000% increase in deepfake fraud attempts. Cybercriminals often attack open-source repositories.

Growing compliance and regulatory pressures
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have implemented new standards to ensure operational integrity. Manufacturing companies and similar industries that don’t meet them could face penalties and damage their reputation.

Converging IT and OT environments
Integrating IT and OT provides enhanced visibility and control of operations, but it expands the attack surface. By exploiting IT systems, cybercriminals can gain unauthorized access to OT systems. There may also be challenges involving personnel expertise, as not all professionals deeply understand both systems.

A lack of 24/7 security monitoring and response
Continuous threat detection is essential because cyberthreats can happen at any time. 2023 saw almost 1.9 million cyberthreats, mostly through confidential data phishing. A quicker response time can reduce downtime and financial losses.
 

Benefits of a SOC

An in-house security operations center can help manufacturing companies combat cyberthreats and attacks. Consider the following key advantages of having a SOC:

• Proactive threat protection: A SOC works to prevent cyberattacks before they can happen. SOCs analyze cyberthreat techniques and seek potential vulnerabilities. They have well-defined response plans to follow in the case of an attack.
• Faster response times to cyberthreats: Catching threats before they escalate is crucial to preventing further compromise. A SOC is staffed to provide around-the-clock protection and peace of mind. SOC personnel can take immediate action by disconnecting systems, notifying relevant parties and recovering networks.
• Improved security and privacy: Manufacturing plants are prime targets of ransomware, intellectual property theft, supply chain vulnerabilities and more cybersecurity attacks. SOCs have the resources and expertise to protect data and prevent breaches, giving companies the peace of mind that their operations are protected.
• Decreased Costs and Asset Losses: Cybercriminals can disrupt systems and steal confidential data, costing an average of $4.73 million per attack in the manufacturing industry. When proactive prevention and established response procedures are done successfully, they can save a company time and money.
• Unmatched expertise and training: A SOC team has a deep understanding of how to manage cyberthreats, so they can seal sources of a breach and minimize security vulnerabilities. The SOC can also offer training and security resources to employees, which is crucial, considering that 95% of data breaches are associated with human error.

Alternatives to an in-house SOC

If a company cannot invest in the personnel, technology and training required for a complete in-house SOC, it can pursue a managed one. Like in-house SOCs, the third-party provider monitors software and data 24/7 and responds to incidents quickly. Smaller companies with limited ability or budget to build and maintain an in-house SOC may prefer fully outsourced security operations.
 
Hybrid SOC models combine in-house and managed SOCs, dividing security tasks between the teams. This strategic approach maintains an in-house core group of professionals and benefits from specialized skills or 24/7 monitoring from a third-party provider. Hybrid solutions can be cost-effective and scaled to meet the manufacturing company’s needs.
 

Protect data and operations with SOCs

Security operations centers are essential for manufacturing plants as automation becomes more prevalent and cybercriminals develop new methods. Having cybersecurity professionals readily available to prepare for and mitigate threats can result in faster response times and simplified investigations. The industry must take proactive measures to prevent future cyberthreats.