Working with an industry leading retail organization GCS establish a fully operational Security Operations Centre (SOC) to address an urgent need in enhancing their cybersecurity capabilities. With cyber threats becoming more complex, the client aimed to strengthen their threat detection and response. GCS was entrusted with the complete SOC build and the transition to Business As Usual (BAU) support. Drawing on its deep expertise in recruiting specialized cybersecurity talent, GCS delivered a tailored solution, enabling the client to achieve a fully functional SOC within the tight timeline required.
The Challenge
The organization faced a series of critical challenges in establishing its SOC:
- A demanding six-month deadline to build and operationalize a fully functional SOC capable of 24/7 operations.
- A comprehensive set of design and implementation requirements, which included infrastructure, tools, workflows, and stringent compliance considerations.
- The recruitment and onboarding of a skilled SOC team capable of managing and responding to cybersecurity threats in real-time.
- A smooth transition to a BAU support model, which involved ensuring the continuity of operations and maintaining the right staffing levels to support long-term success.
Our Strategy
To overcome these challenges, GCS developed a structured, efficient approach focused on meeting the project’s goals while ensuring continuity and operational readiness:
- Designed and implemented the SOC infrastructure, integrating cutting-edge tools and workflows to meet the client’s technical and operational requirements.
- Recruited and onboarded a full team of skilled professionals, including analysts and managers, who were carefully selected to align with both technical specifications and the client's culture.
- Seamlessly transitioned operations to the BAU support model, ensuring no disruptions in service and maintaining 24/7 operational coverage.
- Maintained consistent communication and progress tracking throughout the project, ensuring that deadlines were met and compliance requirements were fully satisfied.
The Solution
Through this comprehensive approach, GCS successfully delivered the following outcomes:
- A fully operational SOC was delivered within the required six-month timeline, meeting all functional and compliance standards.
- The mean time to detect (MTTD) was reduced by 50%, greatly improving the organization’s ability to quickly identify and address potential security threats.
- The transition to BAU operations occurred without any downtime, maintaining continuous, round-the-clock monitoring and support.
- The project was completed in alignment with the client’s operational and compliance standards, ensuring long-term reliability and success.
The Results
- The fully operational SOC was delivered within the six-month deadline, meeting all technical and business requirements.
- A 50% reduction in MTTD significantly boosted the organization’s threat detection and response capabilities.
- Operations were transitioned to BAU support without any interruptions, ensuring ongoing 24/7 coverage.
- The client’s compliance and operational standards were met, ensuring the long-term stability and effectiveness of the SOC.
Client Feedback
“GCS provided a structured and effective approach to building our SOC. Their ability to manage the project within the set timeframe and support ongoing operations has been invaluable to our security management strategy.”