awesome-soc

Introducing the Awesome SOC Project

The Awesome SOC project is a comprehensive collection designed to assist individuals and organizations in building and running a Security Operations Center (SOC). This project also extends to incorporating a CSIRT (Computer Security Incident Response Team), which is crucial for managing security incidents. At its core, the project reflects personal insights and experiences of a seasoned SOC/CSIRT analyst and team manager, complemented by established literature and industry papers. The focus primarily lies on the detection activities within a SOC.

Understanding SOC and CSIRT

In general terms, the SOC is dedicated to the surveillance and detection of anomalies within IT environments, while the CSIRT focuses on managing and responding to incidents post-detection. The project encompasses a broad understanding of both realms, making it a valuable resource for those involved or interested in cybersecurity operations.

The project is methodically structured with several sections:

Must Read: Essential readings for setting up a SOC.
Fundamental Concepts: Introductory content around key cybersecurity concepts.
Mission-Critical Tools: Guide to crucial tools and sensors needed for SOC operations.
IT/Security Watch: Recommended informational resources.
SOAR: Information on Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response systems.
Detection Engineering: Best practices in threat detection methodologies.
Threat Intelligence: Insights into gathering and using threat-related data.
Management: Managing and optimizing SOC operations.
HR and Training: Training protocols for SOC personnel.
IT Architecture: Designing an effective SOC IT infrastructure.
Further Steps: Additional resources and next steps for deep diving.
Appendix: Supplementary materials and references.

Must-Reads for Setting Up a SOC

Within the project, several key resources are highlighted for building a world-class SOC, including:

MITRE's strategies for SOC development.
Guides by organizations like NCSC and Gartner on creating effective SOCs.
Reports on security states and secure business operations provided by Splunk and Microsoft.

Core SOC Concepts

In this project, fundamental SOC concepts encompass overviews of operational missions, key tools, the lifecycle of cyber attacks, and the roles of red, blue, and purple teams. It places significant emphasis on incident response preparedness, tooling for optimizing analyst workflows, and the transformation process from logs to actionable alerts.

Mission-Critical Tools

The project offers a deep dive into essential tools necessary for SOC operations such as SIEM for data and event management, SIRP and SOA for incident management, and TIP for threat intelligence. Each of these plays a pivotal role in enhancing the SOC's efficiency and capacity to respond to incidents.

Conclusion