Navigating the Convergence of NOC and SOC for Cisco Managed Services Providers

In the evolving landscape of managed services, Cisco Managed Services providers are increasingly looking to expand their offerings by integrating Security Operations Center (SOC) capabilities with their existing Network Operations Center (NOC) services. This convergence is driven by the need for a unified approach to managing both network and security operations, leveraging common tools and platforms to enhance efficiency and service delivery. 

Understanding NOC/SOC Convergence 

The convergence of NOC and SOC services begins with the integration of tooling, telemetry sources, and IT Service Management (ITSM) platforms. Both NOC and SOC operations can benefit from shared data sources through APIs and logs, which facilitate service management capabilities. This integration is particularly evident at the Level 1 (L1) support stage, where common tools are used to triage, capture, and analyze events. As cases develop, they may require the expertise of either NOC or SOC Level 2 (L2) or Level 3 (L3) specialists. 

Before embarking on the transition or services merge, it’s essential to evaluate your existing NOC capabilities. Identify the strengths and areas for improvement in your current service offerings. This assessment will help you determine the resources and expertise needed to successfully integrate NOC and SOC services. 

Leveraging Cisco and Splunk for Convergence 

Cisco and Splunk offer robust solutions to support this convergence. Cisco’s Extended Detection and Response (XDR) provides an easy-to-use platform with built-in detection, integration, workflows, and actions for incident response. Splunk’s Enterprise Security (ES) and Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) enhance detection across data sources, offering flexible investigation and custom playbooks for incident response. Together, these tools provide best-in-class detection, investigation, and response capabilities, enabling Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to deliver superior services. 

The Path to a Unified Platform 

The journey towards a unified NOC/SOC platform is not linear. Providers can start with Cisco XDR for less-developed SOC operations and expand into Splunk ES and SOAR for deeper investigations. This approach allows for scalability and adaptability, catering to the specific needs of each customer. AI capabilities in both Cisco XDR and Splunk enhance SOC analyst efficiency, providing better outcomes and enabling the “SOC of the Future”—a resilient and collaborative cybersecurity approach. 

Overcoming Challenges 

A successful SOC requires a team of skilled security analysts who can effectively monitor, detect, and respond to security incidents. Invest in training and certification programs to equip your team with the necessary skills and knowledge to manage SOC operations.  

SOC operators face challenges such as finding skilled staff, integrating tools, and reducing manual work. The goal is to build a platform that combines XDR, SIEM, and SOAR components with threat intelligence, automation, AI, and identity capabilities. This unified platform aims to improve SOC analyst efficiency and provide comprehensive security solutions that scale from organizations just starting their SOC journey to sophisticated nation-state services. 

Expanding your managed services portfolio using the convergence of NOC/SOC services is a strategic move that can drive growth and enhance your value proposition as a Cisco Provider partner. By leveraging Cisco’s cutting-edge technology and expertise, you can deliver robust security solutions that meet the evolving needs of your clients. Embrace the opportunity to become a leader in the managed security services market and empower your clients to navigate the complexities of today’s digital landscape with confidence. 

If you want to learn more about this approach, please register for upcoming sessions of the Managed Services Voice of the Engineer. Visit the Cisco Partner Managed Services SalesConnect page for recordings of previous MS VoE sessions.  

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