SOCaaS Strategies for Cybersecurity

Zoe

Alright, so have you ever felt like the internet's getting scarier by the day? I mean, we’re basically operating in this constant cyber warzone, and businesses... honestly, they’re smack in the middle of it.

Eric Marquette

That’s a good way to put it. Cyber threats are escalating in both frequency and complexity, and instead of just throwing up firewalls and hoping for the best, companies are turning to something called SOCaaS—or Security Operations Center as a Service—to stay ahead.

Zoe

Exactly. SOCaaS is like this 24/7 security command center, but it’s not physically in your office. It’s cloud-based and, honestly, more affordable than you’d think. And let’s face it, for industries like Commercial Real Estate, where sensitive tenant data and transactions are flying around... this isn’t optional anymore.

Eric Marquette

Right, because cybercriminals are getting smarter. Recent statistics show that ransomware attacks alone increased by over 100% last year. And these attackers aren’t just targeting big corporations anymore—they’re coming for mid-sized companies, startups, and yes, the CRE sector too.

Zoe

Oh, totally! There’s this story I heard—a CRE firm had their system breached, and let me just say, it was a nightmare. The hackers locked them out of all their files, encrypted everything, and demanded this huge ransom to "unlock" it. And they hadn’t invested in SOCaaS, so they were left scrambling.

Eric Marquette

I’ve read about cases like that. Without a dedicated team monitoring threats in real-time, companies are often blindsided by these breaches. SOCaaS providers, on the other hand, prevent incidents like that by identifying risks before they become disasters.

Zoe

And it’s not just about prevention. After an attack, a good SOCaaS setup can mitigate the damage and get things back online so much faster. You’d think this kind of thing would be common sense by now, but it’s still surprising how many firms don’t take action until after they’ve been hit.

Eric Marquette

Yeah, it's one of those "learn the hard way" scenarios far too often. But there’s also another consideration. SOCaaS is incredibly effective, but businesses have to decide whether to outsource it or build their own in-house version. Both options come with their own set of costs and challenges.

Zoe

So, Eric, you mentioned the big question—outsource SOCaaS or build it in-house. Let’s start by unpacking that second option. Honestly, doesn’t setting up an in-house SOC sound intimidating even before diving into all the specifics?

Eric Marquette

It really can be. Setting up an in-house Security Operations Center is no small feat. The initial investment alone can be staggering. You’re talking about hardware, software, infrastructure, plus the ongoing integration with whatever IT systems you already rely on.

Zoe

Right, and don’t forget the people! Hiring a team of cybersecurity rockstars? Those salaries aren’t cheap. And then there’s the cost of training because cyber threats evolve practically every, I don’t know, five seconds?

Eric Marquette

Exactly. Cybersecurity professionals are in high demand, so there are retention challenges and the cost of keeping them up-to-date on the latest technologies. And then once you’ve got everything running, you're still on the hook for upkeep—software licenses, system updates, hardware upgrades. The costs don’t just stop after setup.

Zoe

I feel like it must be even harder for smaller businesses, right? Like, if you’re a smaller Commercial Real Estate company, how do you scale something like this when your resources are already stretched thin?

Eric Marquette

That’s a huge challenge. Scaling an in-house SOC requires significant additional investment, both in technology and in skilled personnel. For smaller organizations, that can be a major barrier. It’s one of the reasons they might lean away from this option entirely.

Zoe

But, here’s the thing—it’s not all bad news. I talked to someone who runs an in-house SOC for their firm, and they made it work by being super strategic about their setup. And guess what? They actually stopped a breach in its tracks. Like, legit stopped it before the hackers could get in.

Eric Marquette

And that’s one of the biggest advantages of an in-house SOC. You have total control. You can tailor solutions to your specific needs, oversee data privacy more directly, and avoid relying on third-party vendors for sensitive company information. Plus, decision-making is so much faster when everything’s handled internally.

Zoe

Yeah, but it’s a tradeoff, isn’t it? You’re paying for that level of control and privacy. And let’s be honest, not every company can spare those kinds of resources, even when the payoff could be major.

Eric Marquette

Exactly. It’s all about weighing the costs against the benefits to figure out whether an in-house SOC truly fits your organization’s needs and capabilities.

Zoe

So, as we just discussed, deciding on an in-house SOC means weighing those costs and benefits carefully. But now let’s flip the coin and explore outsourcing instead. For a lot of companies, this approach can feel like the safer—and let’s be honest—the easier route to take.

Eric Marquette

It does come with its perks. Outsourcing through SOCaaS providers means predictable costs—service fees that cover everything from technology to expertise. For companies watching their budgets, especially smaller ones in the CRE space, it’s a much more manageable way to get robust security.

Zoe

And there are some crazy cost savings here. I mean, you’re not hiring a whole team of cybersecurity pros or footing the bill for fancy hardware. You’re basically renting a high-tech fortress!

Eric Marquette

Exactly. Plus, SOCaaS providers specialize in cybersecurity. Like 5Q, they've got access to the latest technologies and experts who stay up-to-date on evolving threats. It’s hard to replicate that kind of expertise with an in-house operation unless you’re making some pretty significant investments.

Zoe

But, like, and this is a big but—you’re also giving up some control, right?

Eric Marquette

Right. That’s one of the key trade-offs. When you outsource, you're relying on a third-party provider, and that means you don’t have direct control over every process. Even with customizable solutions, you’re still trusting another company to handle sensitive data and respond to threats.

Zoe

And if you don’t choose the right provider, that could backfire, big time.

Eric Marquette

Absolutely. But the good providers are quick to adapt—they offer rapid deployment and scalable solutions that can grow or shrink based on your needs. And for many organizations, that flexibility outweighs the downsides.

Zoe

Honestly, at the end of the day, the key is understanding your own needs. Like, what’s your budget? Your risks? Your goals? That’s what it all boils down to.

Eric Marquette

Exactly. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution in cybersecurity. It’s about making an informed decision and ensuring your organization is equipped to handle whatever threats come your way.

Zoe

And that’s a wrap on SOCaaS strategies! Thanks for joining us. Until next time, stay safe, and keep those firewalls up.