Outsourcing Your SOC: Why SMEs Are Choosing Managed Detection & Response

Outsourcing Your SOC: Why SMEs Are Choosing Managed Detection & Response

The number of cyberattacks in the Netherlands rose by 53% in 2025 compared with the previous year. Ransomware, phishing and advanced threats don't just hit large enterprises; in fact, SMEs are a particularly attractive target. But how do you protect your business if you don't have a dedicated security team? For more and more organisations the answer is to outsource their Security Operations Centre (SOC) to a specialist partner.

Key takeaways (TL;DR)

• An in-house SOC costs €500,000+ a year - not realistic for SMEs, so outsourcing is the logical choice
• MDR combines technology and people: 24/7 monitoring with security analysts who step in
• Average detection time: 207 days for an in-house SOC, often under 24 hours with outsourced MDR
• Cost of outsourcing: roughly €15-50 per endpoint per month, depending on scope
• What to look for: Dutch-language support, NIS2 expertise and integration with your existing environment

What is a Security Operations Centre?

A Security Operations Centre is the nerve centre of an organisation's cybersecurity. It's a team of security analysts who monitor the digital environment for suspicious activity 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When an incident occurs, they step in immediately to limit the damage.

A mature SOC combines:

• SIEM (Security Information and Event Management): Collects and correlates logs from every system
• EDR/XDR (Endpoint/Extended Detection & Response): Monitors endpoints for suspicious behaviour
• Threat intelligence: Up-to-date information on threats and attack techniques
• Incident response: Procedures and expertise for handling incidents
• Security analysts: People who assess alerts and take action

Why an in-house SOC often isn't feasible

An effective SOC needs at least 5-7 FTE to guarantee 24/7 coverage. Add the costs of tooling, training and retaining scarce security talent, and you quickly arrive at an annual budget of €500,000 or more. For most SMEs that simply isn't realistic.

The challenges at a glance

The result? Many SMEs have no detection capability, or not enough. They only notice an attack when it's too late, for example when ransomware has already been deployed or data has already been exfiltrated.

Managed Detection & Response: the solution

Managed Detection & Response (MDR) is the outsourced version of a SOC. A Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) takes over your monitoring and incident response. You get the protection of a mature SOC without the cost and complexity of building your own team.

How does MDR work in practice?

1. Onboarding: The MSSP connects to your IT environment: endpoints, network, cloud and applications
2. Baseline: The system learns what normal behaviour looks like in your organisation
3. Monitoring: 24/7 analysis of security events by people and machines
4. Detection: Suspicious activity is identified and prioritised
5. Response: When an incident is confirmed, the SOC team steps in
6. Reporting: You receive regular reports on threats and incidents

The benefits of outsourcing MDR

Instant access to expertise

An MSSP's security analysts work with dozens of customers every day. They spot attack patterns you would never recognise and can act immediately on the strength of that experience.

Cost-efficient

You share the costs of tooling, staff and infrastructure with other customers. What would cost hundreds of thousands in-house, you get for a fraction of the price as a managed service.

24/7 coverage without the worry

Attackers don't keep office hours. With an outsourced SOC you know someone is always awake to respond, including at night and at weekends.

Fast time to value

Building an in-house SOC takes months or even years. With an MSSP you can be up and running within weeks.

Focus on your core business

Your IT team can concentrate on projects that add value, instead of triaging alerts.

SOC as a Service vs. a traditional SIEM

Some businesses consider simply buying a SIEM tool and doing the monitoring themselves. That sounds appealing, but in practice it's a lot harder than it looks.

A SIEM without people to analyse the alerts is like an alarm system nobody hears. The value lies in the expertise to interpret signals and act quickly.

What makes a good MSSP

Not every provider is the same. When selecting a SOC partner, look at the following criteria:

1. Local presence and language

Especially for Dutch businesses, it's important that the SOC team speaks Dutch and understands the local context. A SOC in a different time zone or with a language barrier can slow things down during an incident.

2. Certifications and compliance

A serious MSSP holds certifications such as ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type II. This shows they have their own security in order. With NIS2 and the GDPR in mind, it's also important that data stays within the EU.

3. Transparent SLAs

What is the guaranteed response time for a critical incident? When will you get a phone call and when an email? A good MSSP has clear Service Level Agreements.

4. Technology-agnostic

You don't want to be tied to one specific vendor stack. A flexible MSSP works with the tools you already have or the ones that suit you best.

5. A proactive approach

The best SOC teams don't just wait for alerts. They actively carry out threat hunting, proactively searching for signs of compromise in your environment.

The investment: what does outsourcing your SOC cost?

The cost of MDR services varies widely depending on the size of your environment, the service level and the provider. As a guide:

• Basic MDR (monitoring + alerting): €1,000-3,000 per month for an SME
• Extended MDR (including response): €3,000-7,000 per month
• Enterprise MDR (custom, extensive coverage): €7,000+ per month

Compare that with the cost of running your own SOC (€500,000+ a year) or the average damage from a ransomware attack (€200,000-500,000 for an SME), and the business case quickly becomes clear.

MDR and NIS2 compliance

With the arrival of the NIS2 Directive, detection and incident response become mandatory for many organisations. The directive requires significant incidents to be reported within 24 hours. Without adequate monitoring, that's impossible.

An MSSP can help you meet several NIS2 requirements:

• Incident handling: 24/7 detection and response
• Risk analysis: Regular threat assessments
• Effectiveness evaluation: Continuous monitoring and reporting
• Reporting obligation: Support with incident notifications

Common mistakes when choosing a SOC

Choosing on price alone

The cheapest provider is often cheap for a reason: fewer analysts, longer response times or a more limited service package. An incident that isn't spotted in time will cost you far more than you saved.

Ignoring the 'R' in MDR

Managed detection without adequate response is only half a solution. Make sure the MSSP doesn't just raise the alarm but can also take action. Can they isolate endpoints? Block accounts? Or will you still have to do that yourself?

Forgetting about the exit

What if you want to switch provider in three years' time? How do you get your data back? Discuss exit scenarios up front.

Integrating with your existing IT

A SOC service doesn't stand on its own. You get the best results when the MSSP works closely with your managed IT partner or in-house IT department. Make sure you have:

• Clear escalation paths: Who calls whom for which type of incident?
• Shared tooling: Can the MSSP work within your existing ticketing system?
• Regular alignment: Monthly calls to discuss trends
• Joint playbooks: What do you do in the event of ransomware? Or a data breach?

At TRON Group we combine managed IT with managed security. That means short lines of communication between IT management and security, faster response times and less hassle juggling multiple suppliers.

The first step: a security assessment

Before you sign up for a SOC service, it's wise to map out your current situation. Where are the biggest risks? Which assets are most critical? What is your current detection capability?

A security scan gives you insight into your vulnerabilities and helps determine the scope of an MDR service. That way you can be sure you're investing where it's needed most.

Conclusion: outsourcing your SOC as a strategic choice

In a world where cyberattacks happen every day and the damage from a single incident can run into hundreds of thousands, security monitoring is no longer a luxury. For SMEs that can't or don't want to set up their own SOC, Managed Detection & Response is the logical choice.

You get:

• 24/7 protection from experienced security professionals
• Fast detection and response to incidents
• Predictable monthly costs
• Compliance support for NIS2 and the GDPR
• Room for your IT team to focus on valuable projects

The question isn't whether you need security monitoring, but how you organise it. For most SMEs, outsourcing to a trusted MSSP is the smartest move.

Want to find out what SOC as a Service would look like for your organisation? Get in touch for a no-obligation conversation. Call +31 85 303 5869 or book a meeting straight away.

Frequently asked questions about outsourcing your SOC

Do I lose control if I outsource my SOC?

No. A good MSSP works transparently and keeps you informed of all its activities. You retain full control over your IT environment.

How quickly can an MSSP respond to an incident?

That depends on the SLA. Good providers guarantee a response time of 15-30 minutes for critical incidents.

Do I need to replace my existing security tools?

Not necessarily. Many MSSPs are technology-agnostic and can work with your existing EDR, firewall and other tooling.

Is my data safe with an external SOC?

With a certified MSSP, yes. Look for ISO 27001 certification and data stored within the EU.

Can I combine MDR with managed IT?

Absolutely, and it's often advisable. The combination leads to better collaboration and faster response times.