• 01 June, 2025
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Reflecting on Cybersecurity Evolution and PJ Networks SOC with Fortinet

There’s something about that third cup of coffee — maybe it’s the caffeine, or maybe it’s just the quiet hum of my office — where I start reflecting on how much the cybersecurity world has changed since I logged into my first network administrator’s position in 1993. The dial-up screech, how we were doing mux for handling voice and voice over PSTN, the clusterfuck that was the Slammer worm day, you get the picture, I’ve gone through the highs, the lows and the wtf in this industry.

And here’s one truth that never grows old: The cyber threats never sleep. Neither do we. Not at PJ Networks, where our SOC (Security Operations Center) is awake around the clock, supported by Fortinet – the undisputed leader in Security Fabric. I want to reflect how we confront today’s threat landscape head-on, why our SOC is your best digital bodyguard, and how Fortinet’s solutions such as FortiSIEM and FortiSOAR turbocharge our defense guards.

1. The Never-Ending Threat Landscape

Over the years, since the dawn of viruses as mere experimental nuisances, the cyber threat has evolved into a sophisticated, persistent and genuinely scary beast. WannaCry, Petya, ransomware, supply chain attacks — you can take your pick. Last year I worked with three banks to transform their zero-trust architecture. Zero-trust is more than a buzzword. It’s a necessity.

The thing is: they are not just coming from the outside any more. Insiders, misconfigurations, cloud missteps — there’s almost no shortage of vectors. And attackers don’t just scan and run now, they dwell, they pivot, and they harvest credentials like they’re professional thieves stealing your family car.

What keeps me up at night? It’s the sheer number and speed of attacks and the fact that IT is now complex. Old fashioned firewall and antivirus structures? Old-school. If you believe your firewall is all that’s protecting you, well—I know, I’ve been there, done that and got burned.

2. Meet Your Digital Bodyguard: The PJ Networks SOC

Put it this way: When you picture our SOC, think of it like a 24/7 camera on every nook and cranny of your digital universe. Not a camera alone, more like a security squad that includes a sharp pair of eyes, quick reflexes and the best possible tools.

At PJ Networks, our SOC is populated by analysts who not only can tell you a story of what it was like to fight Slammer and have seen truly fast-moving breaches, you know, teams who know what fast means. They are calibrated to spot anomalies, investigate diligently and act before a small problem becomes a large problem.

Oh, and here’s the thing that never ceases amusing me–that people think a SOC is about alerts and dashboards. Nope. Its very soul is intelligent human analysis enabled by automation, because no matter how much breathless AI-this, -power-that stuff vendors throw around, it’s still all hype to me. The true magic happens when you combine human know-how with tech — especially when that tech is Fortinet’s.

3. Some of the Key SOC Functions: Detection, Analysis, Response, Remediation

• Detection: our FortiSIEM collects information from every source under the sun – firewalls, endpoints, network devices, applications – you name it. And it doesn’t just round up data, it correlates events across systems to detect stealthy threats early.
• Analysis: Our analysts (the true superheroes) go through the alerts, extract signal from the noise, and discover adversary TTPs. Many attacks begin as small deviations, did you know that? Pattern recognition is key.
• Reaction: Speed is everything. As soon as we know there is a confirmed threat, FortiSOAR will automatically kick in with our standard playbooks, allowing us to focus on the harder decisions and containment methodology.
• Remediation: The object is not only to halt the attack but to heal the environment. Be it mitigating security holes, fine-tuning access controls, or forensics, we ensure better resilience and security for your business.

4. Powered by Fortinet’s Security Fabric: Threat Intelligence from FortiGuard Labs

Had to throw that in – credit where it’s due – Fortinet’s Security Fabric ties everything together so effortlessly. Think of it as the nervous system linking sensors, muscles and brains throughout your digital ecosystem.

Products such as FortiSIEM process and normalize and analyze the insurmountable number of events in real-time. FortiSOAR orchestrates response—automating those repetitive tasks without sacrificing the human element.

Here’s what this means to you:

• Single source of truth across your network, cloud, endpoints and applications
• Accelerated discovery and response with advanced threat intelligence
• Automation that frees our analysts from routine to concentrate on the deep threats

Never mind help with compliance. For businesses like banking, in which I recently helped roll out zero-trust, compliance is not an option. We use Fortinet’s reporting tools to provide audit trails which satisfy both regulators and your board.

5. Incident Response: How We’re Responding to the Matter

When the alarm bells are sounding, there’s no time to waste. Our incident response team springs into action with a rehearsed playbook:

• Containment: Contain to stop the spread laterally through the network.
• Threat hunting: Delve into logs and endpoints for clues and hidden threats.
• Extermination: Get rid of malware, plug vulnerabilities.
• Rehabilitation: Re-enter into safe systems and watch for resurgence.
• Lessons learned: There is something to learn in every single incident — defensive updates, user training, process improvements.

And indeed, I’ve fumbled here as well — as when, because of that false positive, we misread our data in ways that delayed containment. But that made our protocols more sharpened.

6. Why PJ Networks for Your Security?

So, hey, there are a lot of vendors turning up promising the moon. But here’s why you should pay attention to PJ Networks:

• Experience: 30 years of networking and cybersecurity — from the days of PSTN multiplexers to Fortinet’s cutting-edge solutions.
• Knowledge you can trust: Our analysts don’t just look at screens, they understand and predict threats
• Best of breed technology: Fortinet has the best security solutions on the market all in one place—end of story.
• Custom solutions: Each business has unique needs. We tailor SOC services, zero trust designs and compliance alignment around your business.
• 24-hour watch: Cyber attacks are a 24/7 occurrence. So do we.

Quick Take

• Cyber threats are perpetually evolving; standing still is to take a chance.
• PJ Networks SOC: Mature analysts + Fortinet technology = complete protection.
• FortiSIEM and FortiSOAR deliver real-time detection and automate the response.
• Response to incidents is fast, methodical and constantly improving.
• Integrated compliance support for security operations.

I’m wary of AI-powered hype, but have total faith in the combination of human expertise and Fortinet’s orchestration.

Final Thoughts

Cybersecurity is not a box to check, but an ongoing journey. Like an elite high-speed racer, your defenses require regular maintenance, expert input and the right tech under the hood. At PJ Networks, we give clients not tools, but peace of mind.

If you want to chat zero-trust, SOC, or what’s new from the hardware hacking village at DefCon (yes, I just got back and I’m still high from the experience!), you know where to find me.

Long may it protect us against anything that would try to eat us: Here’s to bigger, smarter security of the sort that never rests.

Sanjay Seth
Cybersecurity Consultant
PJ Networks Pvt Ltd