What is the difference between a NOC and a SOC?

A NOC maintains and monitors a company’s IT infrastructure, including the network infrastructure, endpoints and cloud setups, to ensure they run smoothly and efficiently at all times. It handles problems arising from technological causes like power and internet outages, and natural causes like hurricanes. The goal is to ensure that an organization’s users or clients can access the IT network and necessary resources 24/7. NOC services also often oversee patching and server maintenance for an organization.

NOCs also help organizations maintain uptime so the business does not take a hit. About 82% of companies have experienced at least one unplanned downtime outage over the past three years, with the average number of outages being two. A single hour of downtime can set organizations back by hundreds of millions and tarnish their reputation. In 2021, Amazon missed out on an estimated $34 million in sales due to an internet outage. Similarly, in October 2021, Facebook and its affiliated brands, like WhatsApp and Instagram, were unavailable for an astounding six to seven hours, sparking angry memes and a nearly $100 million revenue loss.

A SOC, on the other hand, monitors an organization’s endpoints, network and servers to keep it safe from cyberthreats. They look for anything suspicious in the IT infrastructure that portends a cyberattack in motion and take steps to analyze and remediate incidents if one occurs.

Cybersecurity is one of the biggest challenges facing organizations today. In 2022, 71% of companies worldwide were affected by ransomware, with 62.9% of ransomware victims paying the ransom. Threats are not only increasing in number but also complexity. Poor cybersecurity practices mean security breaches can run for multiple years before they are detected. By then, much of the damage has already taken place. Zoetop Business Company, which owns Shein and its sister brand Romwe, was fined $1.9 million towards the end of 2022 for failing to handle a data breach from 2018, which affected 39 million customers.

Essentially, SOC analysts detect cybercrime, build defenses against it, then eliminate it if one occurs. All this is done to maintain a company’s data, infrastructure, and operational integrity. After all, the financial and reputational damage in the wake of a successful cyberattack can be devastating and often irreversible.

Definition of NOC and SOC

NOC technicians need to have a strong understanding of networking concepts and must be able to troubleshoot issues quickly. On the other hand, SOC analysts must be well-versed in security technologies and threat detection methods.

NOC: A NOC monitors, manages and maintains an organization’s networked devices and systems. A company can have a NOC team internally or partner with a third-party NOC service provider. As an external service, NOCs can deliver IT services to the client and the client’s customers or employees.

SOC: A SOC is an in-house or third-party facility that houses an information security team responsible for continuously monitoring, detecting, analyzing and responding to any cybersecurity incidents on a 24/7/365 basis. The operation uses predefined processes and solutions to prevent and remediate cybersecurity incidents and strengthen an organization’s security posture.

Purpose

A few similarities exist between a NOC and a SOC, namely their monitoring and management capabilities. Both facilities monitor endpoints, devices, network infrastructure, cloud, virtual machines and all other components of IT, but for different end goals.

A NOC monitors endpoints and IT systems to identify and resolve issues that can hurt the performance and availability of the IT infrastructure. After all, slow systems and glitchy software only delay work, negatively impacting service level agreements (SLAs). In addition to identifying and resolving issues, NOC staff may also plan network capacity. This eliminates potential bottlenecks and other performance issues, helping users experience fewer interruptions and enjoy smoother overall operations. A NOC’s role is to keep the IT machinery well-oiled by eliminating and fixing technical problems, preventing service outages and preparing against unforeseen conditions that can cause business downtime. They also manage a help desk to handle requests such as password resets, recovering deleted data and new user onboarding.

A SOC ensures that a company’s security remains strong. It also undertakes device and IT asset monitoring to identify signs of intrusion or malicious activity. SOC analysts regularly monitor log files, network traffic, escalating privileges and unusual or unauthorized activities, among other things, to find clues of a potential cyberattack. Besides actively looking for threats, SOCs also investigate incidents when they occur and take appropriate action to mitigate them. A SOC team comprises security analysts, incident responders and other security professionals who provide 24/7 monitoring and bolster an organization’s security posture. Without the round-the-clock vigilance of a SOC team, most cyberattacks would breach a company’s defenses undetected, causing severe damage.

Functions

A NOC’s objective is to minimize downtime, maintain the health and functionality of an organization’s IT infrastructure, and ensure that the network is always available and running smoothly.

• Network monitoring and management: It involves monitoring network devices, servers and databases to ensure they function as intended and that data passes through them securely.
• Software and application management: This involves installing, updating, troubleshooting and patching software and applications to ensure smooth performance at every stage of the lifecycle.
• Communications management: It involves implementing strategies to help organizations securely share information internally and externally through email, audio or video.
• Business continuity and disaster recovery (BCDR) services: BCDR services address data storage, backup and disaster recovery to help organizations keep their operations running even during major disruptions like natural disasters, power outages, data breaches and other catastrophic events.
• Network analysis and reporting: This task involves measuring data transmission efficiency using latency, jitter, packet loss and throughput metrics. It also involves checking a network’s overall stability and reliability and making suggestions for improvement.
• Third-party services management: In IT, vendors, contractors and freelancers work together to propel the engine forward, but keeping track of them can become challenging. NOCs streamline the processes by keeping track of all contacts, licenses and payments jobs with third-party vendors and take the stress away.

A SOC performs continuous monitoring and analysis of security events and detects and responds to security incidents, such as cyberattacks, malware infections and unauthorized access to sensitive information.

• Threat monitoring and management: A constant assessment of the threats to your systems and data will allow you to identify and mitigate potential threats before they become actual incidents.
• Vulnerability scanning and management: A key component of threat monitoring, vulnerability scanning helps identify weaknesses in the systems that attackers could exploit.
• Incident response, recovery and remediation: A tried and trusted three-pronged approach that helps organizations minimize the impact of an actual security incident.
• Security log management: A log is a storehouse of data, and security log management helps organizations identify threat trends and learn from past incidents.
• Compliance management: Compliance management helps ensure that an organization’s systems and processes meet regulatory requirements.

Expertise

While both NOC and SOC experts need a strong understanding of IT systems and tools, their areas of expertise and how they conduct their business are strikingly different.

A NOC is staffed by network engineers who monitor the performance of a network, endpoints and all other IT devices, systems and components for efficiency and reliability. NOC analysts need a good understanding of networking concepts to manage IT infrastructure proactively, prevent outages and performance issues, and identify and troubleshoot problems. They use IT solutions like RMM, network, cloud, virtualization management tools, backup and disaster recovery tools, and a host of other software to do their job effectively. The NOC team is also responsible for ensuring that security solutions are installed and patched regularly.

On the other hand, SOC teams rely on notifications and alerts from the installed security solutions to guard the company’s security perimeter. SOC experts use advanced tools and systems to examine a company’s network and data for anomalies that can signal an intrusion or a cyberattack in progress. Their job doesn’t end with keeping an eye out. They are also responsible for investigating, triaging and mitigating cyberattacks when they occur. For the SOC teams, keeping up with the latest cyberthreats is crucial to devise robust strategies that keep organizations safe. Along with the staple RMM, SOCs work with tools like vulnerability scanners, dark web monitoring tools, threat intelligence platforms, etc.

While NOC analysts work to improve an IT infrastructure’s performance, output and efficiency, SOC experts work towards hardening a company’s security perimeter and ensuring the infrastructure’s resilience against vulnerabilities and security risks.

Opposition

A person’s responsibilities as a NOC or SOC are greatly affected by the challenges or opposition they face.

NOCs must deal with challenges that are not naturally occurring or caused by humans, such as system failures, power outages and natural disasters. They must keep networks and systems running smoothly and make resources available to users at all times. Essentially, the IT infrastructure must run at its best 24/7. Hard-pressed for time, NOC analysts are tasked with dealing with increasing endpoints, users and networks daily. Keeping up with the ever-changing IT environment, with different kinds of devices in use, remote and hybrid work environments, IoT devices, cloud, 5G and fast-speed internet, NOCs must constantly be on their toes. NOC experts bring structure to chaos and ensure that organizations are always operational.

On the other hand, SOC experts must contend with greater forces of chaos. The security of a business is constantly under attack by threat actors actively devising new ways of compromising it. To keep these threats at bay, SOC analysts must be on a war footing at all times. While SOC experts work to strengthen a company’s defense, malicious forces on the other side are trying to destroy it. It’s a never-ending battle, and SOC experts must stay on top of all the latest tactics. A small slip on their part can cost organizations millions.

Which is best: NOC or SOC?

We can tell you that neither is better than the other. Whether you need one or both depends on your organization’s needs NOC monitors and manages your network infrastructure and keeps things running smoothly while SOC is necessary for security monitoring and incident response. They serve different functions but are indispensable for a complete picture of your organization’s IT environment.

Should NOC and SOC be combined?

Combining the two departments may not be such a great idea in the long run. Although they both fall under the IT umbrella, the skillset and processes required to run them vary. Moreover, they serve different end goals too. However, having both teams work together is a good practice to ensure a fully robust infrastructure. If the NOC wishes to deploy a new network, it is always a good idea to work with SOC experts to find the most secure method. Likewise, NOC analysts can work with security teams to identify the most critical IT assets and plan a monitoring strategy focusing on them first.

Scale your business with Kaseya NOC Services and Managed SOC

Kaseya knows that finding the right NOC and SOC partner is crucial to the success of your business. This is why we provide them both under one roof, so you don’t have to spend time searching for the best options in the market.

Our NOC Services are cost-effective, and you can easily add or remove services based on your business cycle and needs. Sit back and let our executives handle all the tasks keeping you from growing your business. We assure you that our experts will blow you away with their performance, plus you’ll receive regular reports on the work they do for you.

We know cybersecurity is on your mind, and security headaches give you sleepless nights. With our SOC experts on duty, you don’t have to worry about a thing. Our SOC team will safeguard your endpoints, networks and cloud 24/7 to keep your organization protected always.

Get started with a NOC Services quote or Managed SOC demo today.

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What is a Network Operations Center (NOC)?

A NOC, pronounced like the word knock, is an internal or a third-party facility for monitoring and managing an organization’s networked devices and systems. NOC services, in the context of modern-day IT-managed services, typically involve the delivery of IT services that focus on endpoint monitoring and management. Endpoints, in this context, refer to servers and workstations (desktops and laptops) as well as Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) devices.

A NOC services company is a third-party resource that delivers IT services on behalf of its clients to the client’s customers or employees. A typical NOC uses various tools and techniques to monitor and manage networks, systems and applications. For example, it may use network management software to monitor traffic levels and identify potential problems, system monitoring tools to monitor endpoint and server performance and resource utilization, and application monitoring tools to track response times and identify errors.

Apart from identifying and resolving issues that arise, the staff at a NOC facility may also be involved in network capacity planning. Better overall network performance is another advantage of a NOC. Proactively monitoring and managing the network can help avoid potential bottlenecks and other performance issues. As a result, users experience fewer interruptions and enjoy smoother overall operation.

What is meant by network operations?

Network operations refer to all the activities needed to keep a network running smoothly, such as monitoring network devices and performance, configuring equipment, troubleshooting problems, and managing upgrades and changes. Network infrastructure includes everything from routers and switches to firewalls and load balancers, as well as the physical cables that connect all of these devices. Real-time monitoring keeps these assets functioning properly, safe from cyberattacks and prevents network outages.

In large organizations, a dedicated NOC staff may work round the clock to keep the network running smoothly. In smaller companies, the network operations team may be part of the IT department overseeing network monitoring and other IT tasks. Many companies outsource their network monitoring activities to one NOC due to its cost-effectiveness and ability to free up their IT staff.

What is the role of a NOC?

The role of a NOC is to provide 24/7 monitoring and support for an organization’s network infrastructure. A dedicated team of experts constantly monitors the network, identifying and resolving issues before they cause major disruptions.

When issues arise, NOCs resolve them on their own or by working with other teams within the organization, such as the help desk or IT operations, to identify the root cause of the problem. They also support users in accessing network resources safely. This may involve providing step-by-step instructions or troubleshooting tips. In some cases, NOCs may even remote into users’ computers to resolve an issue directly.

NOCs serve as a valuable resource for organizations of all sizes. Small businesses may not have the internal resources to support a full-time network operations team, so outsourcing to a NOC can be a cost-effective solution. A NOC can supplement an existing in-house network operations team for larger organizations, providing additional expertise and capacity.

What does a NOC do?

A NOC provides a variety of services to its customers. While not all NOCs are the same, they typically provide some or all of the following services:

Network monitoring and management

Network monitoring and management involves tracking all network devices, servers and databases to ensure they function properly and the data passing through them is secure. Network monitoring consists of three primary components:

• Network devices: Includes routers, switches, firewalls and other hardware that make up the network infrastructure.
• Network servers: Computers that host applications and provide services to users on the network.
• Network databases: Stored data used by applications on the network.

Security monitoring and management

These following components form the foundation of robust security monitoring and management system. While each item is important in its own right combined, they create a comprehensive security strategy that can help protect your system, users and organization from the most sophisticated attacks.

• Firewalls: Firewalls act as a first line of defense against cyberattacks by blocking unauthorized traffic from entering your network.
• Antivirus: Antivirus software protects your system from malicious programs and viruses that can wreak havoc on your system.
• Intrusion prevention systems (IPS): Intrusion prevention systems monitor network traffic for suspicious activity and can block malicious traffic before it reaches your system.
• Threat analysis: Threat analysis is the process of identifying potential threats and vulnerabilities in your system and developing plans to mitigate them.
• Incident response: Incident response is a set of procedures to be followed in the event of a security breach or attack.
• Policy enforcement: Policy enforcement ensures users comply with security policies and procedures.

Software and application management

Software and application management is the process of managing software and applications throughout their lifecycle. This includes:

• Installation: There are many factors to consider when installing a program, such as its compatibility with other programs, system requirements and licensing. Robust software and application management plan evaluates all aspects, making the process efficient and minimizing disruptions.
• Updates: It is essential to update software and applications on time to maintain security, compatibility and functionality. A good software and application management plan includes procedures for regularly checking for updates and installing them on time.
• Troubleshooting: Despite a sound installations and updates plan, problems can still arise. A well-documented and troubleshooting plan will help you locate and resolve issues quickly, which can involve working with the vendor or developer of the software.
• Patch management: Patch management is crucial to keeping software and applications up to date. The process involves identifying when a patch is available, testing it to ensure it works and deploying it properly. A patch is a piece of code used to fix a bug or vulnerability in an application or operating system.

Communications management

Communications management looks at how effectively and securely an organization’s employees share information between themselves and with clients. It includes developing and implementing communication strategies and assessing their effectiveness in a bid to optimize them.

• Email: Sending an email is easy and quick. All you need is an internet connection. However, emails can be easily ignored or deleted, and often it is difficult to convey emotion or tone through written words alone.
• Voice: Voice communication, whether over the phone or in person, is more immediate than email and can effectively convey emotion, but it can be more disruptive if not used properly.
• Audio: Audio-only communication, such as podcasts or recorded messages, can be a good middle ground between email and voice. It is less disruptive than a voice call but can still convey emotion and tone more effectively than written words alone.
• Video: During the pandemic, video communications connected a closed world and allowed for face-to-face interaction, even from a distance. As companies continue to explore remote working options, video communication allows participants across geographies and time zones to convey complex information and build great business relationships.

Business continuity and disaster recovery (BCDR) services

BCDR services help organizations keep their operations running even during major disruptions, like natural disasters, power outages, data breaches and other catastrophic events. The three key components of BCDR are:

• Data storage: Data storage is the foundation of any BCDR plan. You must securely store your company’s critical data for easy and quick access during an outage or disaster.
• Backup: A backup is a copy of your data that can be restored in the event of an IT system failure, cyberattack or natural disaster that can compromise the integrity of your data and systems. It is important to test your backup system regularly to ensure it works when needed.
• Disaster recovery: Disaster recovery is the process of restoring your systems and data in the event of a major outage or disaster. It is crucial to test your disaster recovery plan periodically as a way to ensure its reliability.

Network analysis and reporting

Network analysis and reporting are key to improving the performance of a network.

• Network performance: It refers to testing the speed and efficiency with which data can be transmitted across a network using metrics like latency, jitter, packet loss, throughput, etc.
• Network health: This analysis refers to a network’s overall stability and reliability and provides information about uptime and any potential problems that may be causing disruptions.
• Optimization proposals: These are suggestions for improving a network’s performance, including changes to the hardware, software and configuration of the network. They may also include how a network is used, such as implementing new policies or procedures.

Third-party services management

Keeping track of all the vendors, contractors and freelancers your company employs can be frustrating. In addition to their other duties, a NOC will help keep track of all contacts, licenses and payments jobs on your behalf.

• Vendor: A vendor can be a company or an individual that sells goods or services to another company. They are contracted to provide specific products or services and are paid on a per-project basis.
• Contractors: A contractor is an individual or company that provides services to another company on a contractual basis. Contractors get paid by the hour or project and are not considered employees of the company they work for.
• Freelancers: They are individuals who work for themselves, providing their skills and services to companies or individuals on a contractual basis. Freelancers are typically paid by the project and set their own hours.

What is the difference between a NOC and a SOC?

A NOC is a facility responsible for maintaining optimal network performance and ensuring the organization’s IT infrastructure meets all service level agreement (SLA) requirements. On the other hand, a Security Operations Center (SOC) is tasked with protecting an organization against cyberattacks that could otherwise cause business disruption.

A SOC is a centralized facility within an organization or a third-party service provider that houses an information security team responsible for continuously monitoring, detecting, analyzing and responding to any cybersecurity incidents on a 24/7/365 basis.

What is the difference between a NOC and a help desk?

The main difference between a help desk and a NOC is their respective focus. A help desk is a support service that helps users with technical issues related to a company’s products or services. A NOC is a facility that monitors and manages the infrastructure of a network.

A help desk is operated by customer service representatives or technical support staff trained to assist users with questions or problems. They may provide support via phone, email or live chat and are focused on providing quick resolutions to specific issues.

On the other hand, NOCs are staffed by network engineers or other IT professionals who monitor the performance of a network and its components. They proactively manage networks to prevent outages or performance issues and use specialized tools to identify and troubleshoot problems.

While both serve different purposes, they play a vital role in keeping things running smoothly.

What are the best practices for a NOC?

By partnering with a NOC, you get round-the-clock monitoring and support, quick identification and resolution of issues, and peace of mind knowing that your network is in good hands. Here are some best practices for establishing and maintaining a quality NOC.

Document all policies and protocols

In order to maintain a high-functioning NOC, it is important to document all policies and protocols related to roles, responsibilities, prioritization and procedures. A clear understanding of these concepts will help the NOC team to manage day-to-day operations and address any issues that may arise more effectively.

• Roles: Each member of the NOC team should have a clearly defined role to avoid confusion and overlap in responsibilities.
• Responsibilities: All members of the NOC team should be aware of their duties as well as the collective responsibility of the team as a whole. This makes individuals more likely to take responsibility and accountability for their roles.
• Prioritization: The NOC team must understand how to prioritize tasks and events to address the most critical items at the earliest opportunity.
• Procedures: The NOC team should have well-defined processes for managing day-to-day operations and addressing any incidents or issues that may arise. Staff and technicians should know the steps to follow for maximum efficiency.

Provide thorough and frequent training

Frequent training is essential for NOC staff. They need to be up to date on the latest changes in the network and how to troubleshoot common problems. This way, they can quickly resolve any issues that come up.

Emphasize timely, round-the-clock response

As networks are constantly in use, a NOC must have a 24-hour response time. Issues can arise anytime, and a NOC must have staff on duty round the clock to ensure a timely response.

Communicate regularly and often

Communication is vital for a NOC to function effectively. Timely and clear communication between the NOC staff and other departments within the organization, stakeholders, employees, customers and everyone else involved is essential. Having everyone on the same page helps resolve issues that may arise faster.

Regularly maintain and test systems

A NOC needs to maintain and test its systems regularly. This way, they can be sure everything is working properly and no potential problems are lurking around the corner.

Analyze and review performance

There are a few key things to keep in mind when analyzing and reviewing performance in a NOC. First, identify your goals and objectives and what you are trying to improve or accomplish. Next, gather data and information related to your goals. It could come from various sources, including system logs, application monitoring tools, user feedback, etc. Once your data is collected, it’s time to start analyzing it. Look for patterns, trends and anything that stands out as unusual. Finally, review your findings with your team and stakeholders. Discuss what could be causing issues and develop improvement plans.

What are the benefits of a NOC?

The benefits of partnering with a NOC include improved network uptime, faster problem resolution and better overall network performance. Here are just a few of the ways a NOC can help improve your business:

Increased efficiency

By monitoring your network 24/7, a NOC team can identify and resolve potential problems before they cause downtime. In many cases, issues can be resolved before they have a chance to cause any significant damage. It means more productivity for your business. By contrast, you may fail to detect problems without a NOC until an outage or disruption occurs.

Expert service

With a team of IT experts, you’ll always have someone to turn to when you need help with your network. Whether you need assistance with troubleshooting or want advice on system management, a NOC will be there to help. A NOC will proactively monitor and manage your network round the clock, so you can focus on running your business.

Real-time, 24/7 monitoring and reporting

NOC uses the latest tools and technologies to monitor your network round the clock. They can provide you with real-time reports so you can stay up to date on the status of your network.

Customizable and scalable

As your business grows, a NOC can scale its services to meet your changing needs or alter your service package based on periodic changes in demand. You can also customize the services to suit your needs.

Kaseya NOC services

If you’re looking for a way to accelerate your business growth and increase profitability, Kaseya NOC services can help. With our experienced team of IT professionals, we can help you scale quickly without incurring costly overhead. This will free up your staff to focus on high-value services. In addition, our flexible services are designed to meet your changing needs as your business grows. Whatever your requirements, whether it be a change in demand for your services or exponential growth, we are here to help you succeed. For more information about our NOC service and to receive a quote, click here.

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