A managed SOC (security operations centre) is security software and specialists watching your systems around the clock, spotting suspicious activity and responding to it. It catches threats that slip past your other defences, like a hijacked account or a wave of password-reset attempts, and acts on them fast. For an accountancy practice holding sensitive client financial data, that constant watch is what catches an attack early rather than after the damage.
Attacks don’t keep office hours, and most firms can’t watch their own systems overnight. Here’s what a managed SOC adds.
1. Round-the-clock monitoring
A managed SOC watches your accounts, devices and systems day and night for the signs of an attack. Because threats often strike out of hours, that cover means an incident is caught when it happens, not days later.
2. It catches what other tools miss
Endpoint protection and MFA stop a lot, but a determined attacker can still slip through. A SOC adds another layer, watching for the subtler signs of compromise, such as risky logins, unusual sign-in patterns and mass password-reset activity.
3. It responds, not just alerts
The value is in the response. When something suspicious is found, it’s investigated and acted on, locking down an account or isolating a device, rather than an alert sitting unread until it’s too late.
4. Does your practice need it?
If you hold client financial data and can’t afford a breach, the answer is increasingly yes. It’s also viewed favourably by clients and insurers. We help you decide the right level for your firm.
A real example: monitoring that caught the signs
We support a London accountancy practice serving music and entertainment clients where managed detection flagged a wave of account password-reset events and risky sign-in activity across the firm. We reviewed and acted on them, so suspicious behaviour was investigated and contained rather than left to develop into a breach.
For a London accountancy practice serving music and entertainment clients, this is part of managed IT and security that usually costs about £45 to £100 per user per month, scaling with headcount, your hosted desktop or CCH setup, and the security your high-profile clients expect.
Why music and entertainment accountants choose First Stop IT
First Stop IT has supported businesses since 2002, including London accountancy practices serving music and entertainment clients. We know the software your firm runs every day: CCH, QTAC, QuickBooks, payroll software, FYI and INVU, alongside Microsoft 365 and hosted desktops, and we understand the discretion high-profile clients expect. We support accountancy practices in London and across Essex and Hertfordshire. Our credentials include:
- Cyber Essentials Certified
- IASME Cyber Assurance (Gold)
- NCSC Assured Service Provider (Cyber Advisor for Cyber Essentials)
- Microsoft Partner
- Crown Commercial Service Supplier (G-Cloud)
- Quality Principles Certified
We look after more than 2,000 endpoints across 50 companies, we’ve been named a Top 50 UK MSP for three years running, and we support organisations with 10 to 100 employees across Essex, Hertfordshire and London, including Harlow and Bishop’s Stortford.
Book a free IT and cyber security review
Want your systems watched around the clock? Book a free IT and cyber security review with First Stop IT and we’ll show you what managed detection covers.