Many organisations tend to focus on immediate threats, prioritising the detection and mitigation of the latest vulnerabilities. However, this approach overlooks a broader issue: many cyberattacks exploit vulnerabilities that have existed for years. In fact, 76% of vulnerabilities targeted by ransomware were identified more than three years ago, highlighting a critical gap in long-term security strategies.
Why VOCs Matter
To effectively address this gap, organisations should adopt a more centralised and automated approach to vulnerability management. This is where a dedicated Vulnerability Operations Center (VOC) comes into play. A VOC serves as a specialised unit, either integrated within or operating alongside a Security Operations Center (SOC), with the primary task of managing security flaws within the IT infrastructure. Unlike a SOC, which focuses on real-time threat alerts and incidents, a VOC zeroes in on vulnerabilities—identifying, prioritising, and mitigating them before they escalate into serious security breaches.
What Is a VOC?
Creating a seamless connection between a SOC and a VOC is crucial for effective cybersecurity. This integration ensures that vulnerability data is quickly and efficiently passed to threat response teams. The process begins with appointing a team to set up the VOC, overseen by the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or another senior security leader. Given the scope of this initiative, it should be treated as a major security operations project, with clear roles and responsibilities outlined from the start.
Connecting VOC and SOC
The initial step involves using vulnerability assessment tools to evaluate the organisation’s current security posture. This assessment helps to identify existing vulnerabilities across all assets. The next phase is to aggregate, clean, and organise this data, making it actionable for further use. Once this dataset is established, it is integrated into the SOC’s security information and event management (SIEM) systems, thereby enhancing the SOC’s ability to monitor and respond to threats with greater context and clarity.
Focusing on Risk
An essential component of VOC operations is moving beyond just technical vulnerability assessments to a more risk-based prioritisation approach. This means evaluating vulnerabilities based on their potential impact on the business and addressing the most critical ones first. Automating routine SOC tasks—such as regular vulnerability scans, alert handling, and patch management—also plays a vital role. By implementing automation tools that leverage the VOC’s data, SOC teams can focus on more complex tasks that require human intervention, improving overall efficiency and effectiveness.
Continuous Improvement
Once the VOC is fully operational, the focus should shift to continuous improvement and adaptation. As new vulnerabilities and trends emerge, the SOC must update its monitoring and response strategies to keep pace. Establishing feedback loops between the SOC and VOC ensures that both teams are aligned and responsive to the incessant development of threats.
Building a Strong Policy
Moreover, a strong policy and governance framework is necessary to support the integration of the VOC and SOC. Security teams need to define clear schedules, rules, and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for addressing vulnerabilities. For example, vulnerabilities like Log4j, which are widely exploited, should trigger immediate notifications to SOC teams to ensure a swift response.
The Future of Security
While setting up a VOC may seem challenging, it is a critical step towards addressing the persistent vulnerability issues. Unlike the current reactive approach, a VOC allows for a more proactive, risk-based management of vulnerabilities across IT and security teams. By moving beyond the outdated, piecemeal strategies of the past, organisations can achieve a higher level of security, protecting their assets from both old and new threats.
