In-House vs. SOC as a Service Costs
An in-house SOC can exceed $1.6M per year, while a Managed SOC averagely starts at $10–$20 per asset/month. Use our SOC cost calculator to compare your expenses and find the right solution for your security needs.
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SOC Cost Calculator: In-house vs Outsourced
In-House SOC expenses
Security tool expense
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Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR)
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Network Security
Cloud SIEM / Log Management Platform
Extended Detection & Response (XDR)
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Personnel expenses
Information Security Full Time Employees (FTEs) Total Compensation
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Product Implementation & Maintenance
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Total in-house costs
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Estimated UnderDefense cost*
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Cost of potential breach
Based on data from IBM's - The Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024v
Annual Total
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What is a SOC cost calculator?
A SOC cost calculator is a tool that helps businesses compare the cost of an in-house SOC vs. Managed SOC services. It breaks down SOC pricing, including SIEM SOC costs, SOC analyst salaries, security tool expenses, and operational overhead, to help you determine the most cost-effective SOC solution for your needs.
How much does a Security Operations Center (SOC) cost?
An in-house SOC can exceed $1.6 million annually, covering SOC engineer salaries, SIEM tools, and maintenance. In contrast, Managed SOC services start at $10–$20 per asset/month, offering a cost-effective, scalable alternative without the heavy investment.
What factors influence SOC pricing?
SOC pricing depends on multiple factors, including:
- Number of assets & endpoints monitored
- SIEM, SOC tools pricing and licensing fees
- SOC automation & response capabilities
- 24/7 SOC cost for continuous monitoring
- SOC engineer salaries & staffing costs
- Security operations center pricing models (subscription vs. per-device pricing)
Is an in-house SOC more expensive than a managed SOC?
Yes, building and maintaining an in-house SOC comes with high upfront costs and ongoing expenses. Hiring a full SOC team, purchasing SIEM, SOAR, and other security tools, and managing 24/7 operations can cost millions annually. In contrast, Managed SOC services provide comprehensive security monitoring at a fraction of the cost, typically starting at $10–$20 per asset/month.
How does the SOC cost calculator compare in-house vs. managed SOC costs?
Our SOC cost calculator provides a detailed cost breakdown by comparing:
- SOC as a service pricing vs. in-house SOC cost
- SIEM, SOC tools costs, security tools, and infrastructure expenses
- SOC staffing costs, including analysts and SOC engineers
- SOC automation & efficiency gains with Managed SOC services
How does Managed SOC pricing work?
Managed SOC services pricing is typically based on:
- Per asset or user pricing (e.g., $10–$20 per asset/month)
- 24/7 SOC cost for round-the-clock monitoring
- SOC as a service cost with tiered pricing based on coverage level
- Add-ons like proactive threat hunting, forensic analysis, or incident response
What’s included in managed SOC services?
Managed SOC services include:
- 24/7 SOC monitoring & incident response
- SOC & SIEM tools integration & log analysis
- SOC automation to reduce alert fatigue
- Threat intelligence & proactive threat hunting
- Custom SOC pricing models based on business needs
What are the hidden costs of building an in-house SOC?
Companies often underestimate the hidden expenses of an internal SOC, including:
- SOC engineer recruitment & retention costs
- SIEM & SOC tool maintenance & upgrades
- SOC automation tools to reduce manual workload
- Ongoing compliance & security operations center pricing
How can I reduce SOC costs without compromising security?
To optimize SOC pricing while maintaining strong cyber security, consider:
- Outsourcing SOC services to reduce staffing & infrastructure costs
- Leveraging SOC automation to improve efficiency
- Using a SOC calculator to compare in-house vs. Managed SOC costs
- Choosing scalable Managed SOC pricing to match your needs
How can I reduce SOC costs without compromising security?
To optimize SOC pricing while maintaining strong cyber security, consider:
- Outsourcing SOC services to reduce staffing & infrastructure costs
- Leveraging SOC automation to improve efficiency
- Using a SOC calculator to compare in-house vs. Managed SOC costs
- Choosing scalable Managed SOC pricing to match your needs