In today’s digital landscape, organisations face a constant barrage of cyber threats that can disrupt operations, compromise sensitive data, and damage reputations. To safeguard against these risks, businesses employ various security measures, including security awareness initiatives and security operations centres (SOCs). While these functions differ in their roles, they share a common goal of protecting organisations from cyber threats. In this article, we will explore the importance of effective communication between the SOC and the Security Awareness Department, and how this collaboration can bolster an organisation’s security posture.

Real-time Threat Detection and Response

While security awareness efforts empower employees to recognise and prevent certain types of attacks, there are sophisticated threats that may go undetected. This is where SOCs play a vital role. SOCs leverage advanced technology and skilled personnel to continuously monitor an organisation’s environment, detecting and responding to advanced cyber-attacks. By establishing effective communication channels between the awareness teams and SOC members, valuable insights can be shared. Awareness teams gain a deeper understanding of potential blind spots, while SOC members can provide information on prevalent attacks. This collaboration enables awareness teams to tailor their campaigns, empowering end users with the knowledge and skills to effectively defend the organisation.

Collaboration through Incident Reporting

Security awareness initiatives educate users on reporting structures when encountering potentially malicious activities. SOC members are responsible for investigating and responding to reported incidents, aiming to mitigate attacks before they cause significant harm. By fostering communication between end users and SOC members, the SOC can gain crucial insights into potential threats that may have otherwise been missed. This knowledge exchange also enables the SOC to learn from reported incidents, enhancing their defence strategies and response capabilities.

Training for Response to Live Attacks

While security awareness training primarily focuses on prevention, it provides limited information on how to respond in the event of a breach. SOC teams, on the other hand, possess specialised expertise in handling live attacks. By facilitating effective knowledge sharing and communication, SOC members can provide end users with insights and guidance on the response process during a compromise. This empowers employees with comprehensive awareness knowledge beyond the scope of standard programs, reducing response time, and fortifying the organisation’s security posture.

Conclusion

By integrating processes and fostering effective communication between security awareness and SOC teams, organisations can significantly enhance their security posture. This collaborative approach ensures that employees receive detailed and specific information about the threats facing the organisation, as well as the necessary skills to defend against them. It empowers employees with knowledge that extends beyond standard awareness campaigns, providing insight into reporting and response activities, and even guidance on live attacks or compromised situations. Ultimately, improved communication reduces detection and response time, while equipping a larger percentage of the organization with the necessary skills to prevent cyber-attacks from breaching the organisation’s defences. Embracing the symbiotic relationship between security awareness and the SOC is crucial in today’s evolving threat landscape, enabling organizations to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals and protect their valuable assets.