Scale profitably without hiring a security team.
Are more prospects and customers asking you about cybersecurity services? What’s the most profitable way to monetize these opportunities?
As cyber threats become more frequent, complex, and costly, organizations turn to their MSPs to help them strengthen their defense, execute incident response plans, and comply with regulatory requirements. Yet, building and staffing an in-house Security Operations Center (SOC) requires substantial time and investment.
That’s why more MSPs turn to SOC as a Service (SOCaaS) to help them provide enterprise-grade threat detection and incident response capabilities without the heavy overhead while achieving scalability and agility to thrive in today’s business environment. The global SOCaaS market will grow to USD 24.66 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 12.2% — demonstrating the critical role SOCaaS plays in the cybersecurity industry.
This guide explores why SOCaaS has become increasingly significant in an MSP’s portfolio, the core components you should look for, key considerations when choosing a SOCaaS provider, how to implement SOCaaS in your MSP practice, and what you need to do to maximize your ROI and profitability.
1: SOC as a Service: An MSP’s Secret Weapon
SOC as a Service (SOCaaS) has emerged as the most cost-effective way for MSPs to deliver security services without a high upfront investment. Let’s explore what this model entails and how it can benefit your MSP.
SOCaaS is a subscription-based model that delivers threat detection, incident response, and continuous monitoring through a cloud-based, 24/7/365 SOC facility managed by dedicated security analysts. Instead of building a costly in-house SOC or relying solely on manual processes, MSPs can leverage SOCaaS to access advanced cybersecurity capabilities and expertise at a predictable cost.
SOCaaS offers many advantages over traditional approaches to delivering security services (e.g. building an in-house team or partnering with an MSSP). Here’s how they stack up:
Feature
Traditional MSP Security
SOC-as-a-Service (SOCaaS)
Threat Monitoring
Business hours only or ad hoc alerting
24/7 continuous monitoring by dedicated analysts
Incident Response
Reactive, handled by generalist IT staff
Proactive and managed by security experts
Security Tools
Antivirus, firewall, basic endpoint protection
Advanced stack: SIEM, EDR, threat intel, automation
Staffing
In-house, often non-specialized
External SOC team with cybersecurity specialization
Cost
Lower upfront but limited protection
Predictable subscription model, high value ROI
Scalability
Limited by internal resources
nstantly scalable across clients and environments
Compliance Support
Minimal or outsourced
Built-in reporting for HIPAA, GDPR, PCI, etc.
Adding security services to your service offerings elevates your MSP from merely providing IT support to being a strategic partner as security and compliance become critical factors in many business operations and decisions. Companies seek to consolidate their IT and security vendors, and SOCaaS allows you to provide a one-stop-shop experience to meet market demand with these much-needed services:
24/7 threat detection and response. Real-time visibility across client environments, actionable alerts, and expert guidance enable prompt remediation.
Advanced threat intelligence. Access to up-to-date global threat feeds and behavioral analytics helps clients keep up with new attack patterns and techniques.
Reduced risk exposure: A proactive approach helps MSPs minimize client downtime, data loss, and breach impact through fast, expert containment.
Security maturity uplift. The ability to leverage world-class security capabilities to meet stringent industry standards and regulatory requirements for companies of any size.
By leveraging SOCaaS to add security services, you can elevate your service tier, broaden your footprint in strategic accounts, build client trust, and shift from a commodity IT provider to an indispensable security partner.
Partnering with a SOCaaS provider like enhanced.io helps you improve efficiency, differentiate your business, and drive profitability. You can accelerate time-to-market and deliver sophisticated security services in weeks, not months. Additionally, white-label options allow you to maintain brand control while outsourcing the heavy lifting.
You may bundle security services as a premium, value-added option to increase monthly recurring revenue (MMR). These services also help build trust and boost customer retention, as clients who trust you to keep them secure are less likely to churn. Also, by offloading complex threat detection and response to specialists, you can free your team to focus on delivering core services and building client relationships.
2: How To Select the Right SOCaaS Provider for Your MSP
Choosing the right SOCaaS partner is a strategic decision to build a scalable, security-first service portfolio. So, how do you choose one that will enhance your capabilities, reputation, and revenue potential?
Core SOCaaS Components MSPs Should Look For
While SOCaaS packages vary in scope, a provider should include these core components to ensure comprehensive coverage and timely response:
24/7/365 SOC Monitoring and Incident Response
Access to a round-the-clock, state-of-the-art SOC facility is a must to ensure early threat detection and prioritization. Your SOCaaS provider should provide 24/7/365 monitoring of security vulnerabilities, attack vectors, and emerging threats. Additionally, these processes should align with trusted frameworks, such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF) and CIS Critical Security Controls.
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) and Log Management
SIEM tools are essential for real-time security event analysis to support early threat detection and incident response. They also automatically collect and store log data to help organizations comply with data privacy regulations (e.g. PCI, HIPAA, and FFIEC). If you already use an SIEM platform, see if your SOCaaS provider allows seamless integration to aggregate alerts and streamline operations.
Threat Intelligence and Reporting
Best-in-class providers leverage global threat intelligence to inform proactive defense against emerging threats and zero-day attacks. Your SOCaaS vendor should also include threat assessment and reporting to help monitor each client’s security posture, prioritize actions, and track progress. You may also use these reports to demonstrate continuous improvement to enhance customer communication and increase customer satisfaction.
Your SOCaaS provider should conduct weekly scans to identify and assess security risks for your clients. The insights can help you address vulnerabilities and prevent attacks proactively. Seek a vendor that takes you through every step, from discovery to remediation and reporting. For example, enhanced.io goes beyond vulnerability scanning to provide actionable recommendations for remediation action.
Your clients likely have an existing security stack with applications like EDR, NDR, and SOAR. An Open XDR platform like Stellar Cyber from enhanced.io allows you to consolidate existing software to create a “single pane of glass” view for seamless integration and complete endpoint and network visibility. Additionally, an advanced XDR uses AI technology to support real-time analytics for prompt and accurate incident response.
In today’s multi-cloud environment, MSPs must protect clients’ public, private, and hybrid clouds. Your provider should help you monitor Microsoft 365, Azure, AWS, Google Cloud, and other platforms for suspicious activity and misconfigurations. Additionally, it should integrate with your PSA, RMM, or ticketing system (e.g. ConnectWise, Datto, ServiceNow) to enhance existing workflows.
In addition to the core SOCaaS components, you should evaluate potential providers’ service quality, business fit, and strategic alignment. Here’s what to consider:
White-labeling options. Your provider should work as an extension of your team and allow you to offer security services under your business name to deliver a seamless customer experience.
Scalability and multi-tenant support. Your SOCaaS platforms should enable you to isolate multiple client environments, centralize management, and scale the operation as your client base grows.
Service level agreement (SLA). Reputable vendors provide clearly defined SLAs around detection, response, and escalation timelines to help you manage and meet client expectations.
Transparency and communication. Your vendor should provide complete visibility and access to security experts who can offer timely guidance and recommendations.
Seamless integration. Best-in-class solutions integrate with your existing tools, including RMM, firewalls, endpoint agents, and cloud services, to shorten time to value.
Pricing structure. Your SOCaaS provider should offer a flexible pricing model that aligns with your billing structure to help you improve cash flow and profitability.
Onboarding, training, and support. Top vendors offer comprehensive onboarding and ongoing support, including playbooks and documentation to help your team succeed.
3: Best Practices For Implementing SOCaaS
Successfully adopting SOCaaS is more than choosing the right provider — it’s also about implementing and operationalizing it within your MSP. Here’s how to get started and maximize your investment.
How To Get Started with SOCaaS
A well-structured implementation strategy is the key to turning SOCaaS into a seamless, scalable part of your service offering. Follow these key steps to set the stage for success:
1. Define Internal Roles and Responsibilities
Even with a managed SOC solution, you should allocate internal resources to communicate with clients and escalate incidents to prevent confusion and delays. Establish roles for triaging alerts, interfacing with your SOCaaS provider, and handling client reporting and communication.
2. Integrate SOCaaS with Your Existing Stack
Integrate your SOCaaS solution with your PSA, RMM, endpoint protection tools, and cloud platforms to support a layered defense approach. Also, leverage automation technologies to reduce time-consuming and error-prone manual tasks while creating a unified security workflow across your tech stack to improve operational efficiency.
3. Onboard Clients Methodically
Pilot your security offering with a handful of clients and use the insights to refine your processes and support documentation. A reputable SOCaaS provider like enhanced.io offers comprehensive client onboarding support to help you harden each client’s environment based on NIST CSF and relevant CIS Critical Security Controls.
4. Customize Alerting and Response Playbooks
Collaborate with your SOCaaS provider to fine-tune alert thresholds, configure systems, and identify escalation paths based on each client’s risk profile and environment to prevent over-alerting, which can cause fatigue, divert your team’s attention from high-priority issues, and impact response time.
5. Educate and Train Your Team
Train your help desk, account managers, and technical staff on what your SOCaaS solution covers. Equip them to answer client questions, interpret reports, recognize when to escalate, and identify opportunities to promote your security offerings to clients seeking data privacy and compliance support.
How To Maximize Your SOCaaS Investment
Implementation is just the first step. Let’s explore how you can unlock SOCaaS’s business potential and operational value to maximize profit.
Create a premium security tier and bundle it strategically with your MSP packages. Communicate the importance of data security and regulatory compliance while positioning the services as integral to a comprehensive business continuity and risk management conversation to highlight their value.
Leverage your SOCaaS provider’s rich reporting capabilities to track how a client’s security posture improves, demonstrate value during quarterly business reviews, show ROI through incident insights and risk reduction, and reinforce your positioning as a proactive, security-minded partner to build trust and relationships.
Also, upsell complementary services by offering vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, compliance gap analysis, compliance reporting, employee security awareness training, etc. Once clients experience the benefits, help them create and implement a long-term security roadmap to boost recurring revenue.
While a SOCaaS vendor does the heavy lifting, don’t adopt a “set it and forget it” mindset. Review alerts, debrief incidents, and continuously collaborate with your provider to strengthen service quality, identify recurring issues at the client level, and fine-tune processes to maximize the impact on your MSP and your clients’ organizations.
Security services are a powerful differentiator, so incorporate them into your brand. Create a marketing plan to promote it through your website, during sales conversations, and in client onboarding materials. You may also partner with a SOCaaS provider with a marketing and sales enablement program to shorten your learning curve.
For example, enhanced.io’s Certified Partner Program offers pricing and positioning guidance, sales and marketing support, personalized coaching, and more to help you package your services, reach your target market, generate leads, and grow your pipeline.
The Future of SOC: Stay Relevant with SOCaaS
Instead of adding more security software to their tool stacks, most MSPs will seek to consolidate capabilities into a “single pane of glass” view to simplify workflows and minimize duplicative alerts. An Open XDR platform, like Stellar Cyber, will become the centerpiece of a holistic SOC solution.
Additionally, AI, machine learning, and predictive analytics will become indispensable in helping security service providers process and analyze vast volumes of data from various sources to deliver prompt and accurate incident responses. These technologies will also support “cyber self-healing” to enable proactive maintenance without straining resources.
Yet, human expertise will remain critical to provide contextual awareness and decision-making capabilities that AI can’t replicate. For example, analysts may assess a threat’s broader business implications, weigh competing priorities, and make judgment calls in nuanced scenarios to align actions with your client’s strategic objectives.
It’s challenging and costly to keep current with the latest security technology while maintaining a team of experts to deliver flawless services. With a SOCaaS solution like Enhanced Defense, you can access enterprise-grade software, industry best practices, and a professional SOC team to remain relevant in today’s fast-evolving security landscape at an MSP-friendly monthly fee structured to align with your business model.
Let’s talk and see how we can help you drive growth by incorporating security services into your MSP.
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