[Gartner SRM Summit 2025] A Practical Guide to Choosing the Right SOC for Midsize Enterprises

Patrick Long Gartner Analyst

Why SOC Service Models Matter

Patrick Long, a Gartner distinguished analyst, opened his session by stressing how critical cybersecurity is for today’s business landscape. Midsize companies face a double challenge: limited budgets and growing threats. He argued that the smartest way to build and run an effective security operations center is often to select the right SOC service model.

The Reality for Midsize Firms

Midsize enterprises typically earn between fifty million and one billion dollars in annual revenue or employ one hundred to two thousand five hundred people. They often operate with an IT budget under twenty million dollars and fewer than thirty full-time IT staff. While almost nine out of ten plan to increase their security budgets this year, it remains difficult to hire and retain ten to twelve full-time security professionals. Managing complex threat hunting or more than forty security tools in-house is nearly impossible. Cyber defense demands ongoing attention rather than one-off projects, and without outside help a formal program is hard to sustain.

Picking the Right SOC Service Model

Choosing a service model is like selecting socks to match your shoes. You would not pair white socks with a black suit. In the same way your SOC model must fit your company’s culture and technology stack. For midsize firms the most practical option often turns out to be a hybrid SOC model. This approach eases daily operational burdens without simply outsourcing responsibility.

Overview of SOC Service Models

Automated SOC

This model relies on a security platform that provides many SOC functions out of the box. It can replace multiple point solutions and scale as your needs grow. Yet human expertise remains essential for tuning, operating and responding to alerts.

MSSP (Managed Security Service Provider)

Best suited for organizations with existing security investments, an MSSP integrates your tools into its own platform to generate alerts and meet agreed-upon service levels. It handles updates and maintenance but may require you to adopt specific technologies.

MDR (Managed Detection and Response)

Ideal for teams with limited in-house tools, MDR deploys turnkey technology on your network to monitor and alert you. It offers basic detection and response steps and focuses on endpoints, networks and cloud services. While simpler to adopt, it may leave gaps in coverage.

XDR and EDR Solutions

XDR correlates data across multiple security controls to automate investigation workflows. EDR focuses on endpoint protection and excels in distributed or hybrid environments. Many midsize firms use these tools instead of standalone vulnerability scanners.

Recommendations for a Successful SOC

Nearly half of midsize enterprises already use an external security service. To get the most value:

• Separate Strategy and Tactics: Your internal team should own strategic goals such as preserving core business values. Let the service provider handle tactical tasks like threat detection and response.

• Outsource Specialized Roles: Tasks that require deep threat expertise, tool management or regulatory know-how are best left to specialists. This is crucial for complex SIEM deployments or OT environments.

• Empower Key In-House Roles: Roles that bridge security knowledge and business context—such as senior incident responders—must remain within your organization. Even with automated playbooks your staff needs clear ownership.

  
  

Finding Your Perfect Fit

Gartner identifies three IT organization types:

• Responsive teams react to tickets as they come. A mix of EDR and automation tools may suit them best.

• Engaging teams communicate proactively but lack full automation. An MSSP can augment their capabilities.

• Driving teams take a proactive stance and already have mature tools in place. MDR can boost their visibility and resources.

No matter which model you choose, align it with your current state and future goals. Use external expertise wisely to maximize your internal team’s effectiveness. That combination will protect your business and support sustainable growth.

Author - Kenneth Nam, Threat Analyst | PAGO Networks