Security

Nearly 90% of Indian Firms Opt for Outsourced or Hybrid SOC Models

As cyber threats grow more complex and persistent, Indian organisations are increasingly turning to outsourced or hybrid Security Operations Center (SOC) models to strengthen their cybersecurity posture. According to new research by Kaspersky, nearly 90% of companies prefer outsourcing at least part of their SOC operations, highlighting a major shift in how enterprises approach security management.

The study found that 81% of organisations plan to outsource selected SOC functions, combining internal teams with external expertise. Around 11% are prepared to adopt a fully managed SOC-as-a-Service (SOCaaS) model, while only 8% intend to build and operate a fully in-house SOC. The findings underscore the operational challenges of maintaining 24/7 monitoring and recruiting skilled cybersecurity professionals.

Operational Efficiency Drives Outsourcing

The primary motivation behind SOC outsourcing appears to be operational rather than financial. About 57% of organisations cited the need to reduce the workload on internal IT security teams, allowing them to focus on strategic initiatives. Meanwhile, 51% pointed to the need for continuous round-the-clock protection as a key driver.

Companies most commonly outsource solution development and provisioning (44%), SOC design (42%), and installation and deployment (40%). There is also strong demand for external frontline expertise, with 89% seeking first-line analysts and 63% looking for second-line analysts to strengthen monitoring and incident response capabilities.

Access to advanced technologies such as XDR, MDR, and MXDR was highlighted by 22% of respondents, while 36% said compliance and regulatory requirements were influencing their decision. Cost optimisation ranked lower, mentioned by only 20%, suggesting organisations prioritise resilience and expertise over savings.

Strategic Shift in Cybersecurity Approach

Sergey Soldatov, Head of Security Operations Center at Kaspersky, noted that outsourcing enables organisations to focus on strategic decision-making while external specialists manage routine and technical tasks. Adrian Hia, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Kaspersky, added that businesses across the region are focusing on long-term operational effectiveness and regulatory alignment rather than debating the importance of cybersecurity itself.

As digital transformation accelerates, the report indicates that outsourced and hybrid SOC models are becoming a strategic component of enterprise resilience, enabling organisations to balance expertise, efficiency, and scalability in an increasingly demanding threat landscape.