As cyber threats continue to evolve, measuring the performance of a Managed Security Operations Center (MSOC) helps businesses stay proactive and effective in cybersecurity. Knowing which metrics to track helps organizations assess their MSOC’s impact, optimize their security posture, and get the most out of their investment.
Why Measuring MSOC Success Matters
An MSOC deals with detecting, responding to, and mitigating security threats, often around the clock. This doesn’t mean all MSOCs are equal. Some struggle to keep up with the demands of modern cybersecurity. For businesses, understanding and monitoring specific key performance indicators (KPIs) provides a clear window into how well the MSOC is fulfilling its purpose and contributing to overall organizational security.
When choosing KPIs, businesses should focus on indicators that are meaningful, measurable, and actionable. Key metrics to consider include incident response times, threat detection rates, false positive rates, and overall effectiveness in identifying and addressing vulnerabilities.
Key Metrics to Evaluate MSOC Effectiveness
Here are some of the most crucial metrics for assessing the success of an MSOC:
1. Incident Response Time
Why it matters: Speed is critical in cybersecurity. The longer an incident remains unresolved, the more time attackers have to exploit vulnerabilities. Incident response time covers multiple stages, from the moment an alert is triggered to the resolution of the threat. Tracking these times allows organizations to understand how quickly their MSOC can identify and contain security incidents.
What to track: Break down response time into smaller intervals:
Detection Time: How long it takes to detect a threat.
Response Time: Time between detection and initiating an action.
Resolution Time: Time from detection to full containment and resolution.
Ideal goals: A high-performing MSOC should aim to detect and respond to incidents in minutes, not hours. Comparing against industry standards, such as those from the SANS Institute, can help organizations set realistic targets.
2. Threat Detection Rate
Why it matters: The ability to detect threats accurately is one of the most important functions of an MSOC. The detection rate measures the percentage of threats that are identified and addressed. An MSOC with a high detection rate is more effective in protecting systems from potential damage.
What to track: Detection rate can be calculated as the ratio of detected threats to total potential threats in a given period. However, this metric should be balanced with false positive rates to make sure the MSOC isn’t sacrificing accuracy for volume.
Ideal goals: A good detection rate should be above 95%, but this can vary by industry and threat profile. MSOC providers often leverage tools like SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) systems to maintain high detection rates.
3. False Positive Rate
Why it matters: False positives can drain resources, wasting valuable time and attention on harmless activities flagged as potential threats. A high false positive rate may indicate an overly sensitive system, which can lead to indifference within the security team.
What to track: Calculate the false positive rate by dividing the number of false alarms by the total number of alerts generated. A lower false positive rate is the goal, as it allows MSOC personnel to focus on actual threats.
Ideal goals: Keeping false positives below 5% is generally recommended to avoid alert fatigue and optimize response efforts. Advanced MSOC services often use machine learning algorithms to minimize false positives by learning from past incidents and refining detection rules.
4. Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) and Mean Time to Respond (MTTR)
Why they matter: These metrics reveal the efficiency of your MSOC. MTTD measures the average time it takes for the MSOC to detect a threat, while MTTR calculates the time taken to respond. Together, they reflect the MSOC’s agility in addressing security incidents.
What to track: Monitor MTTD and MTTR across various incident types, such as phishing attacks, malware intrusions, or insider threats, to pinpoint areas where response times could improve.
Ideal goals: While benchmarks vary, a high-performing MSOC typically maintains MTTD and MTTR times under 30 minutes. These times may differ based on organizational needs, but faster response times usually translate to reduced damage and fewer disruptions.
5. Rate of Escalation
Why it matters: Not all incidents can be resolved at the MSOC level; some may require further escalation to specialized teams. The rate of escalation helps businesses gauge how well the MSOC is equipped to handle complex incidents independently.
What to track: This metric is calculated as the percentage of incidents that require escalation. A lower rate of escalation indicates a well-equipped MSOC that can handle most incidents without additional support.
Ideal goals: A balanced escalation rate is key. Escalating too few incidents may indicate overconfidence, while too many escalations could imply a lack of expertise. Aiming for less than 15% escalation can be a healthy target.
6. Cost per Incident
Why it matters: Cost-efficiency is crucial for businesses, especially SMBs, that rely on MSOC services. Cost per incident takes into account the financial implications of each detected and resolved threat, offering a clearer picture of the MSOC’s value for money.
What to track: This metric is calculated by dividing the total operational cost of the MSOC by the number of incidents managed. Tracking costs per incident helps businesses optimize MSOC budgets and make informed decisions about scaling their security operations.
Ideal goals: While the ideal cost per incident can vary widely, setting a benchmark based on industry averages and comparing it over time can help identify inefficiencies. Gartner’s “SOC Metrics That Matter” report may offer useful insights for setting realistic goals.
7. Compliance Rate
Why it matters: For many businesses, maintaining compliance with regulations like DPA, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS is essential. An MSOC that monitors compliance metrics demonstrates its effectiveness in adhering to security policies and protecting sensitive data.
What to track: Measure the compliance rate by tracking the MSOC’s adherence to internal security policies and industry regulations. This includes ensuring that log management, user access controls, and incident response plans align with legal requirements.
Ideal goals: An ideal MSOC should aim for a 100% compliance rate, as any deviation may result in legal penalties or data breaches. Regular compliance audits and reporting keep the MSOC aligned with industry standards and help mitigate risks.
8. User Satisfaction Rate
Why it matters: Although often overlooked, user satisfaction is a key metric for MSOC services. Feedback from users and stakeholders provides insight into the perceived effectiveness of the MSOC. High satisfaction rates indicate that users feel protected and confident in the MSOC’s capabilities.
What to track: Gather feedback from users and stakeholders through surveys or regular check-ins. Look for comments on the MSOC’s responsiveness, clarity of communication, and perceived value.
Ideal goals: Aim for a user satisfaction rate above 85%, ensuring the MSOC is viewed positively by both security teams and end-users. SANS Institute’s resources on SOC metrics may offer guidance on improving user satisfaction.
Final Thoughts: Evaluating Your MSOC’s Performance
Regularly tracking these metrics ensures that businesses can assess the effectiveness of their Managed SOC services. By measuring KPIs like response times, detection rates, false positives, and compliance, companies gain a clearer understanding of how well their MSOC is performing. Regular evaluations help businesses identify areas for improvement, making the MSOC more resilient to emerging cyber threats.
An effective MSOC is proactive, efficient, and adaptable—qualities essential for staying secure in today’s cyber environment. By monitoring the right metrics, companies can maximize the benefits of their MSOC, ensuring long-term security and peace of mind.
About IPV Network
Since 2016, IPV Network has been a trusted partner of leading enterprises in the Philippines. It brings the best-of-breed cybersecurity solutions. IPV network helps businesses identify, protect, detect, respond, and recover from cyber threats. IPV Network is DICT certified to conduct vulnerability assessment and penetration testing (VAPT) to evaluate cyber systems. Email us at [email protected] or call (02) 8564 0626 to get your FREE cybersecurity posture assessment!
Sources:
https://www.gartner.com/en/articles/4-metrics-that-prove-your-cybersecurity-program-works
https://www.sans.org/white-papers/sans-2024-soc-survey-facing-top-challenges-security-operations/
https://www.ibm.com/reports/data-breach
https://www.sans.org/white-papers/sans-2021-survey-security-operations-center-soc/
