As organizations in Saudi Arabia set sail for Vision 2030 by embracing digital capabilities, keeping their digital assets, data, and progress secured has become a top priority for them.

Challenges like the rising costs of security solutions, the global widening of the security skills gap, and the constantly changing threat and compliance landscape are some of the biggest obstacles organizations face while making efforts to achieve their cybersecurity goals.

Learn how Saudi Arabian organizations can address the challenges with SOC-as-a-service with a closer look at the top providers in Saudi Arabia.

What is SOC-as-a-service?

SOC-as-a-service is an outsourced service in which a vendor ensures all the activities performed in a SOC, including the required people, processes, and technologies for an organization.

It is a subscription-based service that offers a viable option for organizations looking for an affordable way to deploy round-the-clock security of their infrastructure and data with the requisite technology and expertise, which would be otherwise expensive to afford and time-consuming to set up.

Why do Saudi Arabian organizations need SOC-as-a-service?

Setting up a Security Operations Center demands a huge investment of both time and money, not to mention taking up the challenge of finding and retaining the required team of experts in a market where there is a cybersecurity talent shortage.  

Through the service, Saudi Arabian organizations can get a dedicated security team to manage their security and monitor without having to worry about investing in physical space/team/security tools.

Even organizations with an existing SOC can use this service to lower their costs and quickly boost the maturity of their security posture.

The compliance environment for SOC services

While choosing a SOC-as-a-service in saudi arabia, it is critical to evaluate whether the services adhere to the regulatory requirements stated by Saudi Arabia’s cybersecurity and data security regulations.

The following are some of the key regulations worth considering:

SAMA framework

The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority’s SAMA framework requires SOC providers to implement SOC capabilities that are aligned with the SAMA’s maturity model, including the prevention, detection, response, and recovery from incidents. It mandates providers to ensure timely audits and assessments.   

National Cybersecurity Authority guidelines

The National Cybersecurity Authority requires Saudi Arabian SOC-as-a-service providers to have professional cybersecurity professionals working full-time (Essential Cybersecurity Controls set 114-108). SOC-as-a-service providers are also required to have appropriate certifications.

Critical Systems Cybersecurity Controls

The Critical Systems Cybersecurity Controls are an extension of the Essential Cybersecurity Controls, focusing on critical infrastructure cybersecurity needs. It has 32 main and 73 sub controls and requires SOC-as-a-service providers to provide critical infrastructure-specific security services. It includes OT/ICS security monitoring services, Industrial environment-specific IR services, and threat intelligence specific to Critical infrastructure cybersecurity.  

Personal Data Protection Law

The Personal Data Protection Law regulates the processing of personal data in and outside the KSA. SOC-providers must have the capabilities to help organizations adhere to the PDPL’s data security requirements, such as secure storage and measures for round-the-clock security of the data and operations.  

Some common features offered in SOC-as-a-service

The following are some of the common features offered in a SOC-as-a-service:

Monitoring

In this service, a team of dedicated security experts monitors an organization’s network, endpoints, cloud, and user access points for risks and threats. They leverage global threat intelligence to proactively identify emerging risks, perform analysis, and instantly respond to incidents.

Log management

The SOC team ensures the collection, monitoring, analysis, and retention of logs for security and compliance. It helps organizations quickly detect anomalies, promptly investigate security incidents, and adhere to compliance requirements.

Threat hunting

A team of skilled threat hunters uses advanced tools and threat intelligence to find hidden threats that are often skipped by traditional security tools. They actively scan the environment for any active signs of threats and use hypothesis-based testing to discover threats that could target an organization.

Threat detection & response

An organization’s security setup is configured and managed by the SOC team for accurate detection and automated response to cyber threats. They help fine-tune the defenses for quick and accurate detection & response to the latest cyber threats.

Alert analysis

Based on whether a security alert is true or a false positive, a team of security analysts categorizes and prioritizes alerts. Based on the analysed impact of threats, they take action to remediate/contain threats.

Compliance audit

A compliance auditor evaluates whether an organization’s defenses are adhering to the local and global standards and regulations.

Top 10 SOC-as-a-service providers in Saudi Arabia

1. SharkStriker

Overview

SharkStriker is a global cybersecurity company that offers holistic, human-led, tech-driven managed security services. With SOCs across 30+ countries, it helps global organizations address their cybersecurity challenges with a blend of human expertise and technology.

SharkStriker’s SOC-as-a-service offers organizations the people, process, and technological expertise to address cybersecurity challenges like a widening skills gap, limited visibility, and rising compliance risks while helping gain ROI from existing cybersecurity investments.

It helps organizations not just to keep up with evolving threats but also the changing compliance landscape. They offer dedicated expertise to adhere to and improve compliance with regulations like Saudi Arabia’s SAMA framework and NCA guidelines.

The service is delivered by a team of round-the-clock experts with dual expertise in cybersecurity and compliance through a purpose-built compliance centric security platform that unifies security, extends visibility, and centralizes control.

Organizations that have used SharkStriker SOC-as-a-service have observed faster MTTR, enhanced savings in data retention costs, and improved data security.

Features

EDR/XDR/NDR

With EDR, XDR, and NDR, SharkStriker MDR services offer round-the-clock protection of infrastructure, including endpoints, network, and cloud.

Full-Cycle Incident Response

Through the service, organizations can get 24/7 support for incident response for the complete cycle of the incident, from containment to recovery.

Host-Based Vulnerability Assessment

Organizations can proactively identify and address risks across and get detailed information on all the vulnerable hosts with this service.

Network Vulnerability Assessment (Internal & External)

Their team of network security experts proactively takes action based on continuous scanning and vulnerability assessment of the network for internal and external risks.

Annual Network Penetration Testing

With this service, organizations can get an annual in-depth assessment of the network for cyber risks using real-world techniques, such as pentesting.

Security Audit of Controls (EDR, EPP, Cloud)

SharkStriker’s team of security and compliance experts audits security controls, ensuring that they are in line with the regulations and are effective in keeping the endpoints and the rest of the infrastructure secure from cyber threats.

Security Advisory & Posture Review

With this service, organizations can get security advisories and get their posture reviewed for risks to proactively secure their infrastructure against emerging cyber threats.

Multi-Sourced Threat Intelligence

Organizations can benefit from multi-sourced threat intelligence from reputed sources and get their defenses tuned as per frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK and DEF3ND.

Third-Party Tool Integration

The service helps organizations seamlessly integrate their third-party security tools across multiple vendors over a purpose-built security platform for centralized visibility and control.

Weekly & Monthly Security Reports

They offer weekly and monthly reports based on a comprehensive assessment of security posture.

Regional data centers

Organizations get latency optimized services delivered via locally hosted NCA-compliant data centers.

Strengths

• Offers dual expertise in cybersecurity and compliance with regulations like SAMA, and NCA guidelines
• Extends visibility, decentralizes cybersecurity control, and offers real-time insights
• Offers customizable reports
• Purpose-built security platform, STRIEGO with a vendor-agnostic layer
• Specialized in proactive risk management and threat hunting
• Integrates AI and machine learning to detect sophisticated threats
• Hyper customization options
• Affordable pricing model
• Improves compliance with regulations like SAMA and NCA guidelines with data sovereignty (OCI based data centers in Saudi Arabia).
• Localized threat detection, faster failover/recovery, rapid incident response and quicker access to data and threat intelligence.

2. COGNNA

Overview

Cognna is a Riyadh-based cybersecurity company that was founded in 2022. It focuses on empowering organizations to detect unpredictable threats with its agentic AI platform. It offers a range of cybersecurity services for monitoring, threat hunting, detection, and response.

Features

AI-based detection and response

COGNNA offers an agentic AI platform for automated AI-based detection and response to cyber threats.

24×7 security monitoring

Organizations get a team of security experts who continuously monitor the client organization’s environment for threats. 

Integrated threat intelligence

COGNNA helps organizations integrate all the relevant global threat intelligence for swift identification and response to threats.

Compliance alignment with local and global frameworks

Offers guidance and consultation to organizations for compliance with local and global security frameworks.

Strengths

• Specializes in reducing false positives

3. Sirar STC

Overview

Sirar by STC is a Riyadh-based cybersecurity company that specializes in offering edge cyber capabilities to critical infrastructure and government organizations.

Features 

Round-the-clock monitoring

Sirar offers a team of cybersecurity experts who engage in threat monitoring of the infrastructure round the clock.

Reporting

It offers a range of security reports and proactive threat information based on the assessment of security posture.

Threat Intelligence

Sirar STC helps organizations integrate global and local threat intelligence from trusted sources for quick identification of threats.

Proactive detection

Its team helps organizations proactively identify cyber threats through threat hunting.

Strengths

• Strong local expertise

4. Haboob

Overview 

Haboob is an information technology company that offers multiple services to help organizations elevate their level of security. Their services include managed SOC, incident response, and consultancy. Cybersecurity engineering and VAPT services. It also offers diverse technology solutions through its trusted partners.

Features 

Continuous monitoring

Haboob’s team of security experts performs 24/7 monitoring of the infrastructure, offering instantaneous response to cyber threats.

Security posture review

With weekly and monthly reports, Haboob’s team ensures regular assessment of the security of the infrastructure.

Scalability

It offers versatile integration options through Google’s Saudi cloud and a longer log retention period for compliance.

Integrated technology

The service includes advanced technologies like SIEM, XDR, and SOAR, and threat intelligence from VirusTotal and Mandiant.

Strengths

• Strong local presence

5. Help AG

Overview 

Help AG is a cybersecurity subsidiary of e&e enterprises (Etisalat Digital) that offers tailored information security solutions and services to businesses and government organizations in the Middle East. It was founded in 2004 and has become one of the trusted IT security advisors in the region.

Features 

Security automation

Organizations get the expertise to get their security setup configured for automated detection and response to threats.

24×7 monitoring

Help AG’s team continuously monitors the infrastructure for any early signs of threats, and proactively responds to them.  

Incident management

It offers a team of threat experts and incident responders for timely response and mitigation of cyber threats.

Multi-cloud SOC

Help AG’s cloud SOC secure organizations against advanced threats through cloud-based analytics, AI-driven threat detection, and UEBA.

Strength

• Specializes in working with large enterprises

6. SITE

Overview 

The Saudi Information Technology Company is a cloud solutions provider based in Saudi Arabia that offers comprehensive services, including cloud computing systems integration, managed cybersecurity services, and end-to-end cloud solutions and services to help organizations maintain data control and compliance.

Features 

24/7 monitoring

SITE offers a team of cybersecurity experts who monitor the infrastructure on a round-the-clock basis for prompt detection and response to threats

Advanced threat protection

The service offers cutting-edge technologies for enhanced detection of some of the most advanced threats.

Threat intelligence

SITE offers insights and strong protection in a changing threat landscape with local and global threat intelligence.

Incident response

Organizations get a team for rapidly addressing attacks and coordinating actions to minimize disruptions.

Strengths

• Strong expertise working with critical infrastructure

7. Cyberani

Overview 

Cyberani is a subsidiary of Aramco Digital, a renowned digital solutions provider for the energy sector. It focuses on safeguarding organizations across industries especially government agencies against cyber threats with its comprehensive range of services. It is based in Riyadh and was founded in 2021.

Features 

24×7 cybersecurity protection

Cyberani’s MSOC provides 24/7 monitoring of organizations’ IT and OT environments for real-time detection and response to threats.

Incident analysis and prevention

It uses advanced technologies and behavioral analytics to identify threats for swift response and a resilient security posture.

Threat intelligence

Cyberani’s team helps integrate global threat intelligence feeds to update defenses in accordance with emerging threats.

Threat hunting

Organizations get a team of threat hunters who proactively scan the environment for signs of exposure to threats.

Strengths

• Strong expertise working with organizations from the energy sector

8. SAMI

Overview 

Saudi Arabian Military Industries is a Riyadh-based cybersecurity services provider that is a subsidiary of a leading manufacturer in the electronics industry. It was founded in 1988 and offers services for reliable security for private and public sector enterprises.

Features 

Threat detection and response

SAMI offers a team of cybersecurity experts who configure and manage organizations’ security stack for outcome-driven security.

Incident response

Through this service, organizations get a team of incident responders who offer the required expertise to respond to incidents and contain threats.

Threat intelligence

SAMI’s team integrates the latest local and global threat intelligence for swift identification of evolving cyber threats.

Web portal for insights

It offers a centralized web portal that offers security-specific insights based on the security data gathered across the infrastructure.

Strengths

Specializes in working with the manufacturing industry

9. Cipher

Overview

Cipher is a Riyadh-based cybersecurity company that focuses on redefining security by offering world-class protection through local expertise. It has offices across the Middle East and Europe and offers solutions to simplify complexity in cybersecurity through a team of experts.

Features

24/7 monitoring and threat detection

Cipher’s SOC team continuously monitors organizations’ networks, endpoints, and systems for suspicious activities and signs of breaches.

Threat hunting

Its threat hunting team goes beyond traditional monitoring to find hidden threats across the network.

Incident response and investigation

Organizations get a dedicated team that contains and mitigates threats as soon as they are detected to minimize impact.

Security log monitoring and analysis

A team monitors and analyzes logs for insights to quickly detect and respond to potential threats and risks.

Threat intelligence

It helps organizations integrate the necessary threat intelligence from global and local sources to identify threats before they cause damage.

Strengths

• Strong expertise working in the finance sector.

10. MECS

Overview  

Middle East Cybersecurity is a Riyadh-based cybersecurity company that focuses on securing every facet of an organization’s digital landscape, including its systems, applications, and data. It is committed to helping organizations minimize their risks and protect them from cyber threats.  

Features

Security monitoring

MECS offers a 24/7 security monitoring team that quickly responds based on the detection of threats and suspicious activity.

Incident response

It provides a team of incident response experts who perform all the necessary actions for response at the time of a cyber incident.

Threat hunting

A team proactively hunts for threats across the internal and external environment for quick identification of and response to threats.

Malware analysis

The MECS SOC team uses advanced malware detection technologies to detect, analyze, and respond to any signs of malware activity.

Strengths

Specializes in working with large-scale organizations

List of Top 10 MDR Service providers in South Africa

1. SharkStriker

2. COGNNA

3. Sirar STC

4. Haboob

5. Help AG

6. SITE

7. Cyberani

8. SAMI

9. Cipher

10. MECS