Outsourcing your SOC can bring major security and operational benefits, but only with the right approach. Here are some of the most common pitfalls we’ve come across and how to avoid them:

Prioritising cost over value: Low-cost providers often lack the expertise and advanced capabilities needed for enterprise-grade security monitoring. Evaluate providers based on incident response times, analyst capability and reporting quality rather than cost alone.

Overlooking integration requirements: Your SOC provider should work seamlessly with your existing tech stack and security infrastructure. Poor integration creates dangerous visibility gaps and operational inefficiencies that compromise your security posture.

Accepting ambiguous SLAs: Vague SLAs without specific detection and response metrics and timelines can leave your organisation vulnerable. Insist on clearly defined performance standards for threat detection, incident response and remediation timeframes.

Failing to define responsibilities: Confusion over who does what between your team and the SOC provider can lead to critical delays during an incident. It is essential to agree on clear escalation procedures and communication protocols before the SOC is implemented.

Selecting a provider without sector experience: Threats differ significantly across industries. Choose a SOC partner with proven experience in your industry who understands your specific compliance requirements and threat landscape.

Poor scalability planning: As your business grows, your security operations should evolve accordingly. Ensure your SOC provider can support expansion across new technologies, locations, and regulatory frameworks without compromising protection.

By addressing these critical factors in your selection process, you can establish a SOC partnership that delivers measurable business value and sustainable security improvement.