A Security Operations Center (SOC) is typically structured to efficiently monitor, detect, analyze, and respond to cybersecurity incidents. While various organizational models exist, one common and effective structure, as described in the SOC Hub-and-Spoke Architecture, organizes the SOC into a central unit and distributed teams.
Understanding the Hub-and-Spoke Model
In the SOC Hub-and-Spoke Architecture, the SOC is organized into a central hub and multiple spokes. This model is designed for organizations that may have diverse business units, geographic locations, or specialized security needs.
The Central Hub
The hub represents the core, centralized component of the SOC. It acts as the nerve center for overall security management.
- Key Responsibility: Managing the overall security posture of the organization.
- Functions:
- Setting security policies and standards.
- Overseeing incident response coordination.
- Managing threat intelligence feeds.
- Developing security strategies.
- Providing advanced analysis and support for complex incidents.
- Often houses senior security analysts and management.
The central hub ensures consistency and strategic direction across the entire security operation.
The Spokes
The spokes are decentralized or specialized units connected to the central hub. They focus on specific areas or segments of the organization.
- Key Responsibility: Monitoring and managing specific areas of the organization's security posture.
- Functions:
- Handling day-to-day monitoring for their assigned area (e.g., a specific business unit, region, or technology stack).
- Performing initial triage and investigation of incidents within their domain.
- Implementing security controls relevant to their specific area.
- Escalating complex or widespread incidents to the central hub.
Spokes provide localized expertise and faster initial response within their specific scope, while leveraging the central hub for overall guidance and advanced support.
Structure in Practice
This model allows for a balance between centralized control and distributed responsiveness.
| Component | Role | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| Central Hub | Strategic oversight, advanced analysis, coordination | Overall organization security posture |
| Spokes | Local monitoring, initial triage, domain expertise | Specific business units, regions, or technologies |
This structure is scalable, allowing organizations to add or modify spokes as their needs evolve, while maintaining a unified strategic security approach managed by the central hub.
