A Security Operations Center (SOC) is a centralized unit within an organization that deals with security issues, including monitoring, detecting, analyzing, and responding to security incidents. The primary goal of a SOC is to prevent, detect, analyze, and respond to cybersecurity incidents using a combination of technology solutions and human expertise.

Here are some key functions typically performed by a Security Operations Center:

1. Monitoring: SOC analysts continuously monitor the organization's networks, systems, and applications for any signs of suspicious activity or security breaches.

2. Incident Detection: SOC analysts use various tools and technologies, such as intrusion detection systems (IDS), security information and event management (SIEM) systems, and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions, to detect and identify security incidents.

3. Analysis: When a security incident is detected, SOC analysts investigate and analyze the incident to determine its scope, impact, and severity. They may also perform forensic analysis to understand the root cause of the incident.

4. Incident Response: SOC analysts are responsible for responding to security incidents promptly. This may involve containing the incident, mitigating its impact, and implementing remediation measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

5. Threat Intelligence: SOC teams gather and analyze threat intelligence to stay informed about the latest cyber threats, vulnerabilities, and attack techniques. This information helps them proactively defend against potential threats.

6. Continuous Improvement: SOC teams continually refine and improve their processes, tools, and procedures based on lessons learned from security incidents and emerging threats.

Overall, a Security Operations Center plays a critical role in maintaining the cybersecurity posture of an organization by providing real-time monitoring, incident detection, and response capabilities.