Palo Alto Networks (PANW) Certified Cybersecurity Entry-level Technician (PCCET) Practice Exam

What is a primary function of a Security Operations Center (SOC)?

1. Policy Creation

2. Threat Detection

3. Software Development

4. Hardware Maintenance

The correct answer is: Threat Detection

A primary function of a Security Operations Center (SOC) is threat detection. SOCs are dedicated teams that monitor and analyze an organization’s security posture on an ongoing basis. They utilize various tools and technologies to identify, assess, and respond to security incidents in real-time. By focusing on threat detection, SOCs can effectively recognize potential dangers and respond promptly to mitigate risks, ensuring that the organization's systems and data remain secure. This emphasis on detecting threats is crucial, as it involves monitoring networks and systems for signs of malicious activity, analyzing security alerts, and responding to incidents to prevent data breaches or cyberattacks. Security analysts in a SOC leverage threat intelligence, behavioral analysis, and various detection techniques to identify threats before they escalate into more significant issues. While policy creation, software development, and hardware maintenance are important aspects of an organization's overall security strategy, they do not represent the primary function of a SOC, which is specifically focused on the continuous monitoring and detection of threats to the organization’s information systems.