TOP TECH TOOLS 4 Ways MSPs Can Add a SOC to Their Offerings Options, Benefits, and Tradeoffs
Security operations centers( SOCs) are no longer reserved for the enterprise elite. With ransomware, social engineering, and advanced persistent threats accelerating, even small and midsized businesses are realizing they need around-the-clock security monitoring.
SOCs enhance an organization’ s overall security by providing a centralized and coordinated approach to threat management. A SOC continuously monitors networks, servers, endpoints, and applications, as well as alerts for suspicious activity. Security analysts and threat hunters on the SOC team use tools like SIEM( security information and event management), IDS / IPS( intrusion detection / prevention systems), and EDR( endpoint detection and response) to identify and thwart threats and contain and mitigate damage if there’ s a breach.
For managed service providers, adding a SOC capability can be a differentiator that strengthens client trust, increases stickiness, and opens new revenue streams.
But building or accessing a SOC isn’ t one-size-fits-all. There are multiple paths to deliver SOC services, each with advantages and tradeoffs.
1. Build an In-House SOC
What it means: The MSP establishes its own SOC, with analysts and engineers monitoring client environments 24 / 7.
• Direct control over processes, tools, and escalation.
• Customizable to industries, compliance needs, or client-specific requirements.
• Positions the MSP as a full-service security provider.
• Very resource-intensive: staff, technology, and facilities are costly.
• Recruiting and retaining skilled analysts is challenging.
• Longer time-to-market compared to outsourcing.
Best fit: Larger MSPs with strong capital and a long-term commitment to building deep security expertise.
2. Partner with a Managed Security Services Provider( MSSP) or SOC-as-a-Service Provider
What it means: The MSP partners with an external SOC provider, often white-labeled, to deliver monitoring and incident response.
• Fastest way to expand into security without a heavy upfront investment.
• Access to trained security analysts and established tooling.
• Flexible models— MSPs can choose co-managed or fully outsourced coverage.
• Less control over processes and reporting.
• Potential margin compression depending on partner pricing.
• Clients may view the SOC partner as the“ real” security provider unless positioned carefully.
Best fit: Small to midsized MSPs that need speed and scalability with limited operational risk.
3. Leverage Managed Detection & Response( MDR)
What it means: MDR providers deliver SOC-like capabilities— continuous monitoring, threat detection, and response— using a mix of advanced tools and human expertise.
• Provides many SOC functions without requiring MSPs to staff their own.
• Combines technology( e. g., EDR / XDR) with 24 / 7 analyst response.
• Easier for MSPs to package and resell to clients as an added layer of protection.
• Typically focused on endpoints, networks, or specific toolsets— may not cover the full IT stack.
• MSPs must clearly define roles: the MDR provider handles detection / response, while the MSP handles remediation and client communication.
• Vendor lock-in risks if MDR relies on proprietary tooling.
Best fit: MSPs that want to extend security monitoring and response quickly, without taking on the full overhead of a SOC.
4. Use a Cloud-Native SOC Platform
What it means: Modern SOC platforms leverage automation, AI, and orchestration to help MSPs deliver“ lean SOC” capabilities with fewer staff. MSPs can use a cloud-native SOC platform to build and operate their own SOC, offering custom security services to clients.
• Lower overhead: no physical SOC facility required.
• Automation reduces noise and manual workloads.
• Cloud delivery makes it easier to scale as client needs grow.
• Still requires analysts to validate alerts and manage escalations.
• Dependence on the vendor’ s roadmap and capabilities.
• Potential vendor lock-in.
Best fit: MSPs with lean teams that want to scale security efficiently with automation-first tools.
Align Your SOC Strategy to Your Goals
Whichever SOC model you choose, the goal is the same: deliver continuous monitoring and rapid response to help clients stay secure in a fast-changing threat landscape. What matters most is aligning the SOC strategy with your business goals, client needs, and risk appetite. The threats aren’ t slowing down— and for MSPs, the opportunity to step up as trusted security partners has never been greater.