SOC stands for Security Operations Center. They form the key part of any security organization. The SOC is a very significant part of the company that is handling security operations. Since most of our sensitive information is digitized, there is an increase in cybersecurity threats and cybercrime. The SOC analyst fills the role of a digital gaurdian since they monitor a company’s system for any breaches.

Who is an SOC analyst and what do they do?

The main goal of the members of this team is to monitor, select and prevent cyberattacks of all sorts on the company. The team will have to integrate and implement the complete cyber security strategy of the organization. 

• Main point of contact for monitoring and avoiding digital attacks
• Monitor network activity to ensure no suspicious activities
• Work with other teams like HR or sales to secure and correct issues
• Identify, assess, and mitigate any threats in real time
• Collaborate with team to understand and prevent future incidents
• Conduct further investigations if required and report to law enforcement agencies
• Report new learnings about existing cyber threats and vulnerabilities
• Implement new systems and update existing ones
• Stay updated on latest cyber threats and phishing attempts
• Identify hacking tools used by malicious actors
• Conduct regular security audits and identify vulnerabilities

How to become a SOC analyst

To become a SOC analyst is an exciting and challenging process. You will need to learn and practice the skills required to solve problems, gather information and make decisions based on the data available. 

Educational requirements

You will need to have a bachelor’s degree, but being qualified in computer science and any STEM-related subject could be an added advantage. There are many people who do not have this background but enroll in a cybersecurity course or bootcamp and then take up this field. There are several certifications that can help you get a job. 

CompTIA Security+

This is an entry-level cybersecurity certification and it covers security access control, cryptography and risks in cloud computing. To enter the cybersecurity teams of many companies, this certification will be essential.

CompTIA CySA+

This certification is about application security and covers topics such as secure configuration of firewalls and proxies, vulnerabilities assessment and penetration testing. This will be required for anyone wanting to work in IT security or management.

Certified SOC Analyst (CSA) by EC Council

If you want to specialize in incident response or threat hunting within the organization’s SOC, you will need the CSA certification. The CSA designation requires experience and demonstrated knowledge. 

Work experience

To become an SOC analyst, you will have to understand how the industry works. A good way to do this is to work in SOC for a few years. This will give you a good inside perspective and also help you build your own skill set. Another way to gain experience is to do an internship or do some freelancing. 

Essential skills required

Apart from several technical skills such as intrusion detection and incident response, SOC analysts will require soft skills like critical thinking and problem solving. 

Technical skills

1. Intrusion detection: You have to detect intrusions into the organizations computer systems. This could be anything from malware infections to future breaches in network security.
2. Incident response: It is the ability to track down and mitigate any attack on your systems.
3. Risk management: You will have to understand the risk associated with certain activities and make informed decisions about whether they can be made safer.
4. Ethical hacking: You must be able to hack into computer systems without breaking laws or regulations. It is the use of knowledge for good instead of evil. This is also known as penetration testing or vulnerability scanning.

Soft skills

Here are a list of important soft skills that you will need to be a SOC analyst:

1. Problem solving: Any IT role will require this skill. Solving issues and problems with co-workers will be a daily task you will have to do.
2. Organizational skills: You will have to work with data and you will need to organize it and make sense of it. This will be a very important skill to possess.
3. Critical thinking: Every action of yours will require critical thinking and you will have to assess how it will affect the company.

You will also need to be familiar with basic programming languages and computer networking. You will also need a solid understanding of cryptography and data management techniques such as hashing and encryption. 

Difference between a SOC analyst and a cybersecurity engineer

 A SOC analyst is responsible for monitoring, managing and protecting systems from cyberattacks whereas a cybersecurity engineer focuses on identifying and stopping malicious activity. So while a SOC analyst will have a background in information technology or computer science, a cybersecurity engineer will have backgrounds in criminal justice or law enforcement.

The role of a SOC analyst is critical to the cybersecurity of any organization. With the ever-increasing threat of cyber attacks, there is a high demand for skilled professionals in this field. A successful SOC analyst should possess a combination of technical expertise, analytical skills, and strong communication abilities. They must be able to think critically, work well under pressure, and have a keen eye for detail. Candidates with experience in incident response, vulnerability management, and security operations are highly desirable. By identifying these key traits and qualifications, organizations can find the right candidate to fill this vital role and protect their digital assets from the constantly evolving threat landscape.