SOC and MSSP: Outsourcing Network Security

Q: Quelle est la différence entre un SOC et un MSSP ?

Un SOC (Security Operations Center) est un centre de surveillance qui détecte et analyse les incidents de sécurité. Un MSSP (Managed Security Service Provider) est un prestataire qui gère la sécurité (firewall, IDS, SIEM) en plus de la surveillance. Le MSSP est plus large que le SOC.

Q: Combien coûte un MSSP pour la sécurité réseau ?

Pour une PME de 200-500 utilisateurs : 3 000-8 000 EUR/mois. Pour une ETI de 500-2000 : 8 000-20 000 EUR/mois. Le coût varie selon le périmètre (monitoring seul vs management complet), le SLA (8x5 vs 24x7) et le volume de logs.

Q: NIS2 permet-il d'externaliser la sécurité ?

Oui, mais la responsabilité reste chez l'entité concernée. L'externalisation vers un MSSP est même recommandée pour les entreprises qui n'ont pas les ressources internes. Le MSSP doit être auditable et contractuellement engagé sur la conformité NIS2.

SOC and MSSP: Effectively Outsourcing Network Security

April 15, 2026·2 min read·241 words

Outsourced vs. in-house SOC (Security Operations Center): key considerations for IT departments. MSSP (Managed Security Service Provider), MDR (Managed Detection & Response), and SIEM as-a-Service. 2026 comparison guide.

SOC service tiers

L1: 24×7 monitoring and triage
L2: investigation
L3: threat hunting and forensics
Plus an in-house CERT for incident response

In-house SOC

Full control
Cost: a minimum of 8-15 people for 24×7 coverage = €700k-€1.5M/year
Recruitment: scarce and expensive talent (analysts: €60-90k)
Rationale: large enterprise with >5000 users

Outsourced MSSP

Full outsourcing
Price: €100-500/user/year, depending on scope
Services: monitoring, alerting, and limited response
Limitations: restricted remediation capabilities

MDR (Managed Detection & Response)

MSSP with automated response actions
EDR + MDR bundles (CrowdStrike, SentinelOne Falcon)
Price: €10-30/endpoint/month
Popular with SMEs and mid-sized companies

SIEM as-a-Service

SaaS solutions: Splunk Cloud, Microsoft Sentinel, Google Chronicle
No hardware to maintain
In-house analysts use the SIEM
Hybrid model: SaaS SIEM + MSSP operations

Providers in France

Orange Cyberdefense
Thales Cyber
Capgemini Cybersecurity
Advens
Synetis
Sopra Steria
Stormshield + partners

Selection criteria

Organization size: <2000 users → MSSP/MDR; >5000 → hybrid/in-house
Criticality: financial services/healthcare → 24×7 coverage required
OPEX budget vs. personnel CAPEX
In-house expertise: retain L3 and outsource L1-L2
Location: France-based vs. US-based MSSP (digital sovereignty)

MSSP SLAs

Monitoring: 24×7
Critical alert: <15 min
Investigation: <1h
Response: subject to contract terms (may require IT management approval)
Reporting: dashboard + monthly review

Order from OPTINOC

Advisory services and MSSP/MDR selection. Sentinel/Splunk integration. SIEM deployment. Quote within 48h.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quelle est la différence entre un SOC et un MSSP ?