Outsourcing your Security Operations Centre (SOC) can enhance threat detection, improve compliance and reduce costs.
Protecting your organisation from cyber threats starts with the right partnership
Outsourcing your Security Operations Centre (SOC) has become a critical strategy for businesses looking to strengthen their cyber defences without the high cost and complexity of building a 24/7 internal team. Whether you're exploring this model for the first time or looking for a better service than your current provider delivers, this guide is designed to help you make informed, confident decisions about your cybersecurity operations.
Outsourcing your SOC - also known as SOC as a Service (SOCaaS) - involves handing responsibility for key security operations to a trusted external provider. These operations typically include real-time threat detection, 24/7 monitoring, rapid incident response and ongoing reporting and analysis. Done right, SOC outsourcing allows you to respond faster to threats, reduce operational risk, improve regulatory compliance and refocus your internal teams on higher-value work.
We work with CTOs, CFOs, CISOs and IT Managers at medium to large enterprises across the UK and beyond. We know that no two businesses are alike - and no two SOCs are either. That’s why this guide doesn’t just list features. It shows you what to look for, what to avoid and how to choose a SOC partner that fits your risk profile, operational goals and compliance needs.
What's covered in this guide:
We’ve pulled together everything you need to know about outsourcing your SOC, including when and why to outsource your SOC; costs, SLAs and service models, data residency and UK-specific compliance concerns.
In this guide we'll explore:
- Signs You Need To Outsource Your SOC
- The Benefits Of Outsourcing Your SOC
- Common Misconceptions About SOC Outsourcing
- SOC Outsourcing Costs: What You Need To Know
- SOC Outsourcing vs. In-house SOC: Pros and Cons
- Choosing The Right SOC Outsourcing Partner
By the end, you’ll have clarity on whether outsourcing is right for your business—and how to choose a provider that fits.
Choosing The Right SOC Outsourcing Partner
Choosing the right SOC outsourcing partner is critical to your cyber resilience. This guide explores how to evaluate SOC providers—from services and technologies to compliance, culture, and scalability—so you can find the right fit for your business, reduce risk, and stay secure as your organisation grows.
SOC Outsourcing vs. In-house SOC: Pros and Cons
There comes a time when every business needs to decide whether to build its own in-house SOC, or outsource to a trusted Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP). Read this article to understand the key considerations, advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing your SOC.
SOC Outsourcing Costs: What You Need to Know
How much does it really cost to outsource your cybersecurity operations to a Managed SOC provider? How does that compare to the costs of building your own SOC, and what value can you expect from your investment? Read on to learn more about the economic, operational and business cases for partnering with an MSSP, and how that compares to building an in-house function.
Common Misconceptions About SOC Outsourcing
From loss of control to one-size fits all, there are many misconceptions surrounding Managed SOC services. In this article we debunk the most common myths surrounding MSSPs and deliver a reality check on what outsourcing cybersecurity really means.
5 Signs You Need to Outsource Your SOC (Security Operations...
As your organisation grows, so to does your exposure to cyber risk. Building or expanding your in-house capabilities is one option, but for many businesses this is both cost and operationally prohibitive. In this article, we explore the most common signs that outsourcing your SOC is the best option for you.
The Benefits of Outsourcing Your SOC (Security Operations Centre) for...
Discover why an increasing number of small, medium and large enterprises are choosing a Managed SOC to protect their business against a growing number of cyber attacks. From protecting valuable data and confidential information to bolstering stakeholder confidence and trust, there are many reasons to consider partnering with a trusted Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP).
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The current cybersecurity landscape for UK businesses
The cybersecurity environment faced by UK enterprises continues to evolve at a rapid pace. Recent data from the UK Government's Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025 shows that 43% of UK businesses reported experiencing a cyber security breach or attack in the past 12 months, with the figures substantially higher for larger organisations - 67% of medium businesses and 74% of large businesses identified attacks. For these enterprises, the stakes are particularly high, with breaches potentially costing millions in damage, recovery, and reputational harm.
In this increasingly complex threat landscape, having robust, continuous security monitoring isn't just a good practice - it's essential for business continuity and stakeholder trust.
Is SOC outsourcing right for your organisation?
Outsourcing your SOC can be a smart move - especially if you're facing challenges like:
- You're struggling to recruit and retain in-house cybersecurity talent in an increasingly competitive market
- Threats are on the increase but your in-house team can't monitor 24/7/365
- Compliance pressures are growing and you are struggling to keep up with a shifting regulatory environment
- You're scaling fast or operating across multiple time zones
- You need a more predictable or cost-efficient security operations model
- Your board is pushing for better risk visibility and incident reporting
Importantly, outsourcing doesn't mean replacing your team - it’s about enhancing and supporting it. The right SOC partner brings expert analysts, cutting-edge tools, and faster, more reliable incident response.
Read more in our blog on the 5 signs you need to outsource your SOC.
The evolution of SOC outsourcing: beyond basic monitoring
Over the past decade the SOC outsourcing model has evolved from basic alert monitoring to a comprehensive, strategic service that can enhance every aspect of your security operations.
Today’s SOC-as-a-Service (SOCaaS) includes:
- Proactive threat hunting – not just reacting to alerts
- Advanced analytics and AI-powered detection that identifies patterns human analysts might miss
- Tailored response procedures – aligned to your business and risk profile
- Seamless integration with your existing security tools
- Flexible service tiers – to suit different budgets and risk tolerance
- Clear reporting and metrics that demonstrate value to stakeholders
For UK-based organisations, modern SOCaaS providers bring additional benefits in terms of alignment with UK regulatory requirements, data sovereignty assurances and contextual understanding of the UK-specific threat landscape.
What makes an effective outsourced SOC?
Understanding what comprises a high-quality SOC service helps you evaluate potential providers and set appropriate expectations. A high-quality SOC outsourcing service goes far beyond basic monitoring. It should offer a comprehensive, proactive approach to cybersecurity, including:
What to look for in a SOC partner
Use this checklist to evaluate potential SOC outsourcing providers:
✅ UK data residency and regulatory alignment (e.g. GDPR, PCI-DSS, ISO 27001)
✅ 24/7 threat monitoring and fast incident response
✅ Certified analysts (CISSP, GIAC, CEH) with relevant sector experience
✅ Clear SLAs for detection, response, and resolution
✅ Strong onboarding and integration process
✅ Proactive threat hunting, not just reactive alerting
✅ Transparent reporting with real-time dashboards and regular summaries
✅ Flexible service models that scale with your business
✅ Proven track record and client references
✅ Technology stack that integrates with your existing tools (SIEM, SOAR, etc.)
✅ Low staff turnover and an in-house team (not fully outsourced again)
✅ Willingness to tailor their service to your specific risks and goals
If a provider can’t check these boxes, they might not be the right fit - even if the price is attractive. A strong SOC partner should be an extension of your team, not just another vendor.
Top mistakes to avoid when outsourcing your SOC
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.
Strategic advantage through SOC partnerships
Beyond tactical security, the right SOC partnership delivers strategic competitive advantages that resonate in the boardroom and can elevate your entire organisation:
- Accelerate digital transformation without security friction
Gain immediate security coverage across your evolving cloud, hybrid, and SaaS ecosystem - eliminating the transformation bottlenecks typically caused by internal security resource constraints. - Transform compliance from obligation to asset
Convert regulatory requirements (GDPR, ISO 27001, PCI-DSS) into business advantages through comprehensive documentation, centralised intelligence and audit-ready reporting that builds stakeholder trust. - Mitigate financial and reputational exposure
Protect shareholder value through expert-led rapid detection and containment that significantly reduces breach costs, remediation timeframes and downstream litigation risk. - Deliver actionable security intelligence to your leaders
Equip your C-suite with clear, metrics-driven insights into your security posture that facilitate informed investment decisions and demonstrate security ROI. - Redirect IT resources to revenue-generating initiatives
With the burden of threat monitoring and incident response lifted, re-allocate technical talent from reactive security monitoring to innovation projects that drive growth. - Bypass the cybersecurity talent crisis
Access a ready-built team of specialised security experts with advanced tools and current threat intelligence, eliminating the need to compete in an increasingly difficult market for scarce cybersecurity talent.
By aligning your SOC strategy with your wider business goals, outsourcing becomes more than just a cost-saving measure, it becomes a long-term asset.