PROVEN CYBERSECURITY PROGRAM ADVANCEMENT

Have you ever wondered how to provide metrics to prove your cybersecurity program is advancing? Does your executive leadership, finance, and even your team wonder how to prove advancement?  

CyberForce|Q took on that challenge in 2023 and created the Security Operations Center Capability Model framework (SOC-CM). SOC-CM is a capability assessment framework developed by CyberForce|Q to allow our participants to accurately assess and advance their cybersecurity capabilities. SOC-CM differs from other frameworks, such as NIST CSF, as SOC-CM is geared heavily towards the participants ability to utilize the SOC and improve their tactical security posture.  

SOC-CM uses seven control families covering both strategic and tactical components of a strong cybersecurity program. Paired with best practice measures and expert guidance from our CyberForce|Q team. SOC-CM helps an organization to prioritize and advance their capabilities within each control family. SOC-CM also allows members of the Collective SOC to better understand how they measure up to one another while creating opportunities for discussion around improvement and growth.  

The overall objective of SOC-CM is to create metrics which can be used to provide Proven Cybersecurity Program Advancement, as well as the efficiency and value of their partnership with CyberForce|Q. While the process of cybersecurity advancement can be daunting, with CyberForce|Q you are never working alone!  

OBJECTIVES

The core goal of the SOC-CM framework is to measure and demonstrate the growth of the program’s security capabilities in a standardized, quantitative manner. This is achieved through a combination of action-based metrics, time-based goals, and best practice adherence. 

1. Show increased SOC services over time: This objective focuses on demonstrating the growth and enhancement of SOC services over a defined period. 

2. Quantify security capability: The framework aims to measure security effectiveness using numerical metrics, offering a concrete way to assess progress.   

3. Identify risk levels and types: It helps pinpoint various risk factors within the SOC program to understand the specific security challenges a participant face. 

4. Demonstrate risk reduction: The framework aims to show how the fulfillment of SOC-CM objectives contributes to lowering overall security risks. 

By leveraging this capability model, organizations can systematically identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement within their organization’s SOC operations.  

This framework serves a dual purpose once the objectives are fulfilled. First to assess individual organizations. Second, to provide a common measurement framework that normalizes capability measurement for all managed SOC participants. Since all participants are measured with the same model, we can use it to evaluate capability for the collective cohort. This provides an opportunity to further collaborate by working together on advancement objectives, sharing best practices, and helping others improve where one organization excels.   

KEY BENEFITS

1. Enhanced Operational Efficiency: By pinpointing specific areas of improvement, SOCs can streamline processes, reduce response times, and enhance overall efficiency. 

2. Measurable Risk Management: The model helps in identifying potential gaps in security operations, allowing organizations to proactively address vulnerabilities and manage risks more effectively. 

3. Alignment with Best Practices: The model integrates best practices and standards, ensuring that SOC operations align with proven cybersecurity frameworks and regulatory requirements.  

4. Strategic Improvement: It provides actionable insights and recommendations, enabling participants to make informed decisions about resource allocation, training, and technology investments. 

   
   

Overall, SOC-CM is an essential tool for organizations to elevate their cybersecurity defenses, optimize their security operations, and stay ahead of evolving cyber threats.    

CONTROL FAMILY BREAKDOWN 

• Control 01: Operational Readiness (OR) 

  • Operational Readiness is the overall measurement of the participant organizations’ bureaucratic SOC readiness.    

• Control 02: Log Management (LM) 

  • Log Management is the overall measurement of collection, classification, storage, and retention of logs.  

• Control 03: Detection and Response (DR) 

  • Detection and Response is the overall measurement of the visibility, coverage, and protection provided to a participant by their alerting capabilities.  

• Control 04: Program Management (PM) 

  • Program Management is the continued process that involves strategic coordination and oversight of multiple security services and initiatives provided to participants.

• Control 05: Incident Response (IR) 

  • Incident Response (IR) is a structured approach to addressing and managing the aftermath of a cybersecurity incident, such as a data breach, malware infection, or unauthorized access. It encompasses a range of activities aimed at identifying, containing, eradicating, and recovering from security breaches while minimizing damage and restoring normal operations.  

• Control 06: Automation and Orchestration (AO) 

  • Automation and Orchestration control family is instrumental in enhancing cybersecurity resilience by automating processes, improving efficiency, and enabling faster response to security threats.

• Control 07: Collaboration (CO) 

  • Collaboration is the overall measurement of how effectively engaged a participant is with the larger COSOC Collective.  

The SOC-CM framework offers a clear and structured approach to measuring the effectiveness and improvement of a participant’s SOC program. Over time, these efforts will not only demonstrate growth in security capabilities but also help organizations reduce vulnerabilities and enhance their resilience against emerging threats. The ultimate outcome is a more secure and well-prepared organization, able to manage and mitigate risks effectively while continuously evolving in response to new challenges. 

CyberForce|Q delivers proven cybersecurity program advancement for your organization. Our SOC-CM framework provides measurable, metric-driven results that demonstrate your organization’s progress and resilience against evolving cyber threats. 

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Every organization is unique, which is why we meet you where you are in your cybersecurity journey, and tailor our solutions to your needs – reach out to solutions@cyberforceq.com.

Learn more about CyberForce|Q.