SOCs are designed to enhance an organization’s ability to prevent, detect and respond to security incidents by centralizing monitoring and mitigation efforts. SOC personnel use information gathered from a wide range of sources to identify, investigate, analyze and manage threats. By aggregating and correlating security data, a SOC provides security analysts with the context needed to triage threat mitigation activities.
However, 45 percent of organizations still struggle with their security operations program, according to a recent report from Enterprise Strategy Group. Common challenges include the growing number and complexity of security alerts and the overwhelming amount of data that must be collected and processed. IT teams find it hard to keep pace with the onslaught of activity and effectively manage their security operations.
Why IT Teams Still Struggle with SOCs
The numbers give a sense of the scope of the problem. More than a third (37 percent) of IT and security professionals surveyed said that the volume and complexity of security alerts have increased over the past two years. Another 37 percent said they’re collecting and processing more security data than they did two years ago. Because of all the “noise,” 34 percent of respondents said they find it difficult to prioritize the threats that pose the greatest risk.
Many SOCs are unable to extract meaningful intelligence from the data they collect, largely due to an overabundance of point solutions and siloed analytics engines. Traditional methods focus on the detection of static patterns and correlation rules, making it difficult to adapt to the ever-changing threat landscape.
The cybersecurity skills gap is another major stumbling block. Many SOCs are understaffed, and tier 1 analysts frequently escalate alerts because they lack the skills needed to analyze them. Manual processes slow response to alerts and increase the risk of human error.
The Benefits of AI-Powered Automation
Because security skills remain in short supply, the modern SOC should automate routine tasks to free up skilled personnel to focus on more complex analyses. Standardized operating procedures and repeatable workflows ensure that all tasks — manual and automated — are handled efficiently.
AI provides the intelligent automation SOCs need to collect data more effectively and analyze it in real time. It increases efficiency, minimizes human error and increases the overall effectiveness of security operations.
Machine learning systems can rapidly identify anomalies and suspicious patterns, enabling the SOC team to respond more quickly to threats. Machine learning also enhances threat analysis and reduces the number of false positives so that IT teams can focus their efforts on real threats. AI-powered tools also provide more accurate and detailed reporting, enabling SOC teams to make more informed decisions to strengthen the organization’s overall security posture.
Addressing the Risks of AI in Security Operations
Integrating AI into security operations does present significant challenges. Organizations may need to invest in robust infrastructure to support AI, and potentially upgrade existing security systems to integrate with AI-powered tools. SOC teams will need ongoing training to use and support AI effectively.
AI models will also need to be tuned to ensure that they’re analyzing the right data effectively. Otherwise, the number of false positives will tie up resources. A phased approach coupled with continual assessment of the AI model can maximize project success and help keep a lid on costs. Organizations should also set clear objectives and establish metrics for evaluating the ROI of AI-powered tools.
Technologent’s AI, automation and security teams are here to help you leverage the power of AI to modernize and streamline your security operations center. We can help you define your strategy, select the right tools and develop an implementation plan that minimizes disruption and provides measurable results. Give us a call to schedule a confidential consultation.
Media Contacts
Comments