Whatever happened to the Virtual Security Operations Center?
The concept popped up around 2019, promoting a fully digital alternative to traditional, on-site security operations centers (SOCs). VSOCs promised a future where physical security command centers existed entirely in the cloud. No physical command center. No video walls. No operators on shift. Just AI and automated workflows handling every event in real time.
It was a bold vision that made sense at the time. Digital transformation was accelerating, cloud-first strategies were taking off, and the rise of AI hinted at a new era of efficiency. But if VSOCs were the future, why isn’t everyone running one today?
The short answer: They are, just not in the way it was perhaps originally intended.
The fully virtual SOC was built on the idea that human operators were no longer necessary. Sold as highly futuristic and fully autonomous, it was this vision by a few that would eventually power the many.
But promoting a lack of people ignores a simple truth about physical security response. It’s as much about context as it is about technology.
Even the most advanced analytics tools can’t interpret intent, nuance, or consequence the way a human can. Physical presence, whether in a room, a crisis, or the field, still matters for decision-making and accountability. And in the context of the risk-adverse security industry of the time, that was a truth the market wasn’t ready to ignore. The notion of replacing operators with an invisible platform felt too risky, which limited its adoption.
Technological limitations also played a role. Six years ago, the supporting ecosystem wasn’t mature enough. Data was siloed across proprietary platforms. Automation lacked real interoperability. And AI analytics were still largely reactive.
Ultimately, the grand vision of the fully virtual SOC never took off. But the principles behind it found new life in different forms.
Scalability, efficiency, and flexibility drove the rise of the VSOC and it’s those same principles that exist in the evolved operational SOC models we see today. These models include:
- Decentralized Operations – Monitoring teams, analysts, and incident responders are a part of the organization, but no longer co-located.
- SOC-as-a-Service – Wherein SOC operations are outsourced to third-party providers.
- Fractional Solutions – A sort of hybrid of SOCaaS and on-site or decentralized SOCs, wherein organizations contract specialized SOC capabilities on demand. Outsourced solutions could be fractional based on hours, location, or specific function, including:
1- Alerting – Outsourced alert monitoring helps ensure potential incidents are identified in real time, eliminating the need for an in-house team to monitor dashboards.
2- Response – Targeted response capabilities can be contracted for specific locations, shifts, or high-risk scenarios.
3- Analysis – Specialized experts or AI can handle data analysis, pattern detection, and threat intelligence.
SOC virtualization isn’t all-or-nothing. The reality is that every organization needing a SOC will likely need some combination of the models outlined above and/or an on-prem SOC. The combination will depend on the organization’s needs and risk appetite.
For example, a global corporation might decentralize monitoring functions, outsource regional coverage in low-risk areas, and then leverage AI-powered translation tools for cross-border collaboration. Conversely, a critical infrastructure organization may keep its SOC on-site to maintain local control.
Every model is valid, but every model should still include the human element. Because the SOCs of today and tomorrow can’t be human-free, only human-optimized. Technology is not yet at the stage where it can be used to make judgment calls related to personal safety.
So while the “Minority Report” style interfaces of early VSOC marketing may have never materialized, they did inspire a new way of thinking about how SOCs operate. Instead of “How do we avoid complexity?”, the question became, “How do we manage that complexity well?”
Today’s VSOCs are already complex in their design, deployment, and operation. Working with experienced industry resources can eliminate some of that complexity, helping organizations determine where and how to focus their efforts.
For example, consultants bridge the gap between ambitious VSOC concepts and real-world implementation. They have first-hand knowledge of where technology adds value and where people add impact. This experience allows them to create effective SOC strategies that are both applicable today and scalable for tomorrow.
Integrators then help organizations deploy those strategies. Their role is to bring SOC solutions to life, ensuring that technologies and systems work as intended. From creating fully on-site SOCs to integrating fractional SOC solutions into existing workflows, their technical expertise ensures interoperability across platforms.
Finally, vendors and technology providers serve as the foundation that makes it all possible. By advancing interoperability standards, cloud infrastructure, and open APIs, and automation frameworks, they are redefining what a ‘virtual’ SOC really looks like.
And maybe tomorrow we will reach a point where AI has the contextual awareness equivalent to a human. And where automation can make life-altering decisions with reliability and nuance. But until then, long live the VSOCs of today.
About Atriade
Atriade is a trusted security consulting firm with decades of experience delivering tailored security solutions. We specialize in security system design for access control, perimeter protection, video surveillance, visitor management, and other advanced physical security technologies.
Our expertise also extends beyond system design to include security master planning, program development, risk assessments, professional services, and end-to-end project management.
For more than 20 years, we have partnered with Fortune 50 companies, Ivy League universities, and leading technology firms in Silicon Valley to help them navigate complex security challenges with a strategic, forward-thinking approach.
Why is the human element still essential in a virtual SOC?
Even with advanced analytics and automation, technology still struggles with context, nuance, and decision making involving personal safety. Humans bring situational interpretation and accountability that AI cannot yet match. Current VSOC models aim to be human-optimized rather than human-free, pairing automation with the judgment required in real-world incidents.
Who plays the key roles in bringing a VSOC strategy to life?
Consultants help organizations translate concepts into practical strategies by understanding where technology provides value and where people make the biggest impact. Integrators then build and deploy those solutions, ensuring systems work together as intended. Vendors supply the technologies and standards that make modern SOC models possible, from cloud infrastructure to open APIs. Together, they shape the evolution of the VSOC.
How do organizations decide whether to use decentralized, outsourced, or on-site SOC models?
It depends on their risk posture, operational complexity, and geographic footprint. A global company may decentralize its monitoring while outsourcing lower-risk regional coverage. A critical infrastructure operator might keep everything on-site to maintain tighter control. Most organizations end up with a hybrid model tailored to their needs, because SOC virtualization is never all or nothing.
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