Do MSSPs always operate through SOCs?

Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) are specialized third-party organizations that offer outsourced security monitoring and management services to enterprises and other organizations. Their purpose is to improve the cybersecurity posture of their clients by continuously monitoring for threats.

Security Operations Centers (SOC) are a big part of the traditional model of MSSP operation. An IBM article on the topic states, “Operating from high-availability security operation centers (SOCs)—meaning they can operate at a high level, continuously, without intervention—MSSPs provide ‘always on’ coverage. This coverage significantly reduces the need for enterprises to hire, train and maintain extensive in-house personnel to effectively uphold security.”

These are dedicated facilities or teams responsible for the continuous monitoring and analysis of an organization's security posture. Within a SOC, trained analysts use various technologies like security orchestration automation and response (SOAR) tools to detect, investigate, and respond to cybersecurity incidents.

SOCs provide the environment from which MSSPs offer many of their core services. Most MSSPs operate through SOCs as central hubs that aggregate security data. This structure allows MSSPs to deliver real-time, often covering multiple organizations from a single SOC facility or a set of distributed SOCs.

However, MSSPs do not necessarily have to operate exclusively through traditional SOCs. Alternative models can and do exist.

​

What are security operation centers?

SOCs serve as the nerve center for an organization's cybersecurity defense, orchestrating all activities related to threat management and incident response in real-time. SOC teams leverage a variety of security tools and technologies, such as Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems, endpoint detection and response (EDR), threat intelligence platforms, and security automation, to maintain persistent vigilance against cyber threats.

According to the Frontiers in Psychology study on decision making in SOCs, “By analysing data activities around the clock, SOC teams are crucial in ensuring the prompt detection and response to security incidents. SOC analysts work under considerable pressure to triage and respond to alerts in very short time frames.”

SOC analysts diligently analyze security alerts, investigate anomalies, and manage incidents to minimize the impact of attacks. They perform vulnerability assessments, penetration tests, and refine security policies and response plans based on ongoing threat intelligence and security events.

​

How MSSPs’ use of SOCs to deliver services

Through SOCs, MSSPs implement a ‘shared service’ model that leverages economies of scale to pool resources across many organizations, thereby offering high-end security technologies and expertise at reduced costs for clients. The PLoS One journal article ‘Model for successful development and implementation of Cyber Security Operations Centre (SOC)’ notes, “The SOC represents a central protection group that concentrates on managing cyber security incidents through monitoring, detecting, investigating, analyzing, and preventing malicious activities.”

MSSP SOC teams consist of specialized professionals who perform alert triage, threat hunting, incident investigation, forensic analysis, and remediation guidance, often segmented into tiered levels of expertise to efficiently manage the security operations lifecycle. While SOCs provide 24/7 surveillance, MSSPs also use these centers to maintain threat intelligence feeds and develop proactive defense measures tailored across diverse industries and environments.

In delivering their services, MSSPs rely on SOCs to detect and respond to immediate threats and to support compliance and governance requirements by generating detailed security reports and audit-ready documentation. SOCs thus act as command centers that orchestrate security operations.

MSSPs can also operate partially or fully through virtual or cloud-based SOC models, leveraging AI and automation to optimize monitoring and reduce dependence on large physical SOC facilities. These allow for flexible service delivery that meets the needs of different client sizes and sectors while maintaining the continuous security monitoring hallmark of MSSP offerings.

​

Exceptions for MSSPs that do not operate through traditional SOCs

While most MSSPs rely on SOCs as centralized hubs for continuous monitoring, threat detection, and incident response, some MSSPs adopt alternative models to deliver cybersecurity services effectively, especially to meet varying client needs and budget constraints.

Another PLoS One study on the cybersecurity budgets for SMEs states, “Despite the availability of a variety of security solutions, analysts have a hard time monitoring multiple dashboards simultaneously and correlating events from different security devices.” One common alternative involves virtual or cloud-based SOCs (also known as SOC-as-a-Service), which provide remote security monitoring and management through cloud infrastructure without the necessity of physical SOC facilities.

Some MSSPs focus on specialized subsets of security services that can be provided without operating a full-scale SOC. These niche providers may rely more on automation, remote tools, and periodic assessments rather than continuous real-time monitoring that a traditional SOC demands.

Hybrid approaches have also emerged, where organizations maintain some internal SOC capabilities but outsource specific monitoring or analytical tasks to MSSPs, effectively blending in-house security expertise with managed service strengths. This cooperative model helps fill expertise gaps or manage increased threat volumes without fully depending on a traditional MSSP SOC.

Automation and artificial intelligence increasingly enable MSSPs to reduce their reliance on large analyst teams, shifting to technology-driven security operations that may not require a traditional SOC setup. MSSPs without traditional SOCs typically leverage cloud-native platforms, automation, and strategic partnerships to deliver security services tailored to client requirements.

​

How healthcare organizations can evaluate MSSPs regarding SOC operations

• Verify that the MSSP’s SOC complies with recognized standards such as SOC 2, especially focusing on security, availability, and processing integrity.

• Assess the MSSP’s ability to provide 24/7 continuous monitoring and incident response capabilities through their SOC.

• Evaluate the expertise and certifications of the SOC personnel who will manage healthcare data and security events.

• Confirm that the MSSP SOC implements robust data protection controls, including encryption and access management, to safeguard sensitive patient information.

• Review the MSSP’s processes for vulnerability management, threat detection, and timely remediation within the SOC.

• Check for automation and advanced technologies in the SOC for efficient alert prioritization and false positive reduction.

• Ensure the SOC supports regulatory compliance relevant to healthcare, like HIPAA.

• Determine the MSSP’s transparency and reporting capabilities, including audit trails and regular security performance reports.

• Investigate the MSSP’s incident handling and disaster recovery plans managed through the SOC framework.

• Consider the MSSP’s experience managing healthcare environments and handling compliance audits.

See also: HIPAA Compliant Email: The Definitive Guide (2025 Update)

​

FAQs

How do MSSPs differ from MSPs?

MSSPs focus exclusively on cybersecurity, using SOCs to provide 24/7 security monitoring, threat detection, incident response, and compliance assistance. MSPs offer broader IT management services like network monitoring, software management, and general IT support but are less focused exclusively on security.

What is an MSP?

An MSP is a third-party provider that manages general IT services for organizations.

What is the difference between a Network Operations Center (NOC) and an SOC?

MSPs typically operate from an NOC, which monitors and manages IT infrastructure and network performance. MSSPs operate from a SOC, which specializes in security monitoring and incident response.

Can MSPs also manage cloud services?

Yes, MSPs often manage cloud infrastructure and software-as-a-service (SaaS) platforms to ensure operational efficiency and availability.