Outsource or In-House SOC? Making the Right Choice for Your Security Strategy 

In today’s increasingly digital world, businesses of all sizes face a fundamental cybersecurity challenge: should they manage security in-house or outsource to an external provider? More mature organizations may even consider building their own Security Operations Center (SOC)—after all, how hard can it be? 

I’d rethink that. 

With cyberattacks growing in frequency and sophistication, 24/7 security monitoring and rapid response aren’t just nice to have—they’re essential. But do you really know what it takes to keep up? Read on to learn more about what it takes to run an effective security operations center.  

First off, what is a Modern Security Operations Center? 

A Security Operations Center (SOC) is the nerve center of an organization’s cybersecurity efforts. It provides continuous monitoring, threat detection, and incident response to stop attacks before they escalate into full-blown breaches. 

At its core, a SOC relies on three key components: people, processes, and technology; all of which must continuously evolve to keep pace with modern cyber threats. 

Today, SOCs must integrate AI, behavioral analytics, and cloud-native security to keep up with advanced threats.  

Key considerations before trying to build yourself. 

 Before committing to an in-house SOC, consider the following: 

Technology: Building a SOC requires substantial investment in security tools such as Logging and Compliance, Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), threat intelligence platforms, and automation solutions. Without a well-integrated and properly managed tech stack, a SOC can fail to deliver effective protection, leaving critical threats undetected and regulatory requirements unmet, ultimately putting your business at risk. 

 Talent & Expertise: A SOC is only as strong as the people running it. Cybersecurity talent is in short supply, with more than 52% of IT leaders reporting a lack of technical skills (Forrester, 2022). Recruiting, training, and retaining security analysts and incident responders poses a significant challenge. 

Budget: An in-house SOC isn’t just a one-time investment, it requires ongoing costs for hiring staff, maintaining technology, and responding to security incidents. More than 50% of major cyber incidents result from a lack of skilled security professionals (Gartner, 2023). To build and launch an in-house security operation center, one must be willing to pay the big bucks for the right tech and talent.  

Operational Complexity: Managing a 24/7 SOC is an operationally demanding task. Incident response workflows, compliance reporting, and collaboration across teams require dedicated leadership and a robust strategy.  

While the four considerations above may seem daunting, building your own SOC does come with a major advantage: complete control over your security operations. The ability to tailor every aspect of your SOC to your organization’s specific needs can be enticing—but is it realistic? Do you have the time, resources, and expertise to run a full-scale security operation alongside your daily business priorities? That is why we recommend outsourcing – to provide operational relief.   

Why Outsourcing Is the Best Choice for Most Businesses 

With cyberattacks costing businesses an average of $4.45 million per breach (IBM, 2023), organizations can’t afford to delay their security strategy. For most companies, outsourcing to a Managed Detection & Response (MDR) provider is the fastest, most effective path to a mature security posture. 

A modern SOC like you will find at Blackpoint Cyber delivers; 

• 24/7/365 Monitoring & Response – Always on, always protecting 

• Proactive Threat Containment – Stop attacks before they spread 

• Expert-Led Investigation – A team of security professionals working for you 

• Rapid Deployment – Get up and running in days, not months 

Instead of waiting years to build your own SOC, why not secure your business today? 

The Final Verdict 

Unless your business has unlimited resources and a dedicated security team, outsourcing your SOC is the smarter choice. It provides expert-level security without the complexity, giving you peace of mind while focusing on growing your business. 

Let’s talk security—contact Blackpoint Cyber today to explore how we can protect your organization from today’s cyber threats.