NOC versus SOC teams
It’s a common question I get asked at seminars, presentations, and sales calls. Specifically, the inquirer wants to know what the difference is between a SOC (security operations centre) and a NOC (network operations centre). A lot of businesses are putting more emphasis on having a mature cyber risk management strategy and as part of this, they are starting to consider implementing a SOC. But before you begin the hiring process to build your new network security team, let’s first make sure we can answer the question.
The first thing to know about the difference between a NOC and a SOC is that there’s some shared terminology. Both are critical components of an organization’s IT structure. Both require highly trained technical professionals who were hired based on their ability to apply logic and troubleshooting skills under pressure. And both involve monitoring systems for alerts that signal potential problems that could eventually impact the business.
Differences between NOC and SOC
However, there are some differences between these two fundamental structures, most notably:
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A Managed NOC (Network Operations Center) is a proactive approach to network management that helps companies achieve their business goals. It allows you to maximize your network’s performance, availability, and security, thereby increasing your overall productivity and revenue.
But what is the difference between a Managed NOC and a SOC? A Managed NOC provides you with 24/7 monitoring of your infrastructure so that any potential issues are detected before they occur. The Network Operations Center is responsible for ensuring that corporate infrastructure is capable of sustaining business operations, while the Security Operations Center (SOC) is responsible for protecting the organization against cyber threats that could disrupt those business operations. This means that you can rest easy knowing your network’s security is being taken care of by experts who are watching over it 24/7!
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NOC provides proactive monitoring and maintenance of corporate infrastructure, while a SOC monitors cyber threat activity and helps mitigate any damage from confirmed incidents.
If you’re looking for a way to make your IT infrastructure as secure, reliable, and efficient as possible, managed NOC services are almost certainly worth exploring.
A network operations centre (NOC) is a physical facility or logical entity dedicated to the monitoring and management of an organization’s critical IT systems. Because of the vital role that a NOC plays in keeping an organization’s infrastructure functional, it will typically be staffed 24/7 by highly trained engineers who can respond quickly to any issues that emerge.
Managed NOC services involve outsourcing the management of an organization’s NOC to the third-party service provider, who will assume responsibility for monitoring the health of its critical systems. This ensures that any issues that emerge can be resolved quickly before they cause significant damage.
Although the basic function of a NOC is to monitor and manage critical IT systems, managed NOC services often go beyond this.
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While it’s possible to have both NOC & SOC functions performed in-house, many companies outsource either or both functions to managed service providers (MSPs).
If you’ve got internal teams monitoring and managing your network, you know it’s not easy to do well.
At ExtNoc managed, we help companies shoulder the burden of security monitoring and network management. Our team of experts will monitor your network around the clock, proactively identifying threats and mitigating them before they become problems. Even better, we’ll be there for you when something does go wrong—our NOC is staffed 24/7 to tackle any issue that may arise.
We offer two tiers of service: SOC (security operations centre) and NOC (network operations centre). A SOC monitors your network for possible threats and vulnerabilities, while a NOC makes sure your network is running optimally—both services are integral to keeping your network safe and functional. While it’s possible to have both functions performed in-house, many companies outsource either or both SOC and NOC functions to managed service providers (MSPs).
What is an outsourced NOC?
Companies that require 24/7 monitoring and management of their IT infrastructure can benefit from working with a Network Operations Center (NOC). A NOC, or Network Operations Center, is an outsourced team of IT professionals who manage and monitor your network. Your NOC monitors your infrastructure around the clock and takes steps to prevent problems before they arise.
An outsourced NOC is beneficial because it allows businesses to focus on their core competencies while outsourcing the work that needs to be done to ensure their infrastructure is running smoothly. A small business may not be able to afford a full-time IT department, but they still need one! An outsourced NOC gives them access to the expertise they need at a cost they can afford.
Why Do Companies Outsource Their NOC?
Proactive network management requires an automated system or platform with reporting capabilities. Not every company has its solutions in place, which means they are forced to reactively address network issues as they arise instead of anticipating them in advance. This can result in costly downtime and lost productivity. NOC’s role is mainly to provide the technical support and backbone that the IT system requires to reduce downtime and keep operations going.
Specifically, managed NOC services are typically delivered locally – the NOC is hosted on-site at the data centre. Managed NOC is usually accessed by a client through a web interface allowing the client to observe various managed devices and receive alerts when problems arise. This service provides more capabilities than just monitoring systems and managing alarms. Datacenter managers can use that hosted network operations centre control plane to allocate and de-allocate firewall rules as needed, view detailed session information and/or create new firewall rules, provide remote troubleshooting, and resolve issues on their own time using the NOC staff instead of calling external contractors (and paying their rates) – all for the same cost as simply monitoring their network in the first place. In essence, this service is “outsourcing” your network management responsibilities to professionals instead of making you handle it internally.
Our team is dedicated to helping you keep your data safe, your systems up and running, and your business alive. ExtNoc managed NOC services include 24/7 infrastructure monitoring and L2, and L3 tech support to efficiently handle your IT infrastructure issues.
Interesting Related Article: “Top Tips to Improve Network Security“