In superhero movies, the focus is always on the hero and their mission to stop the villain and save the day. However, the movie often ends before we see the real work that begins after the battle is won. The process of rebuilding the city and preventing future attacks requires a team of unsung heroes working behind the scenes.
These unsung heroes, known as the Security Operations Center (SOC) teams, are responsible for assessing how the villain got in and preventing it from happening again. Without their expertise, the city could have been overtaken by the villain and would not have been able to be rebuilt.
The SOC teams face numerous challenges in their work. They must understand the different tactics of villains and how they may use exploits from other hacker groups. They also need to set up parameters to prevent attacks and make the best out of a bad situation. Despite their crucial role, they often go unnoticed and are even seen as a “cleanup crew.”
One reason these heroes are in the shadows is because not everyone understands the complexity of their work. The SOC teams are responsible for transforming security architecture, staying up-to-date on the latest threats, and adapting to different business priorities. They also spend a significant amount of time on low-level tasks that should be automated, leading to burnout and a loss of knowledge transfer.
Another challenge is a lack of recognition from the C-suite and line of business executives. Many decision makers responsible for threat detection do not fully understand the role of SOC teams in mitigating business risk and driving success. This lack of understanding hinders the ability of SOC teams to be strategic partners.
To ensure that these unsung heroes can win more battles against attack groups and be recognized as strategic partners, there needs to be a focus on empowering them. One way to do this is by investing in detection engineering platforms. These platforms can help SOC teams do their jobs faster and better, allowing them to focus on strategic thinking and chasing real threats.
The right detection engineering platform, combined with AI technology, can be a lifeline for SOC teams. It can automate task-based work, leaving more time for strategic thinking and threat detection. By using these platforms, SOC teams can become more visible in the organization and contribute to strategic discussions with the C-suite.
Recognizing the important role of SOC teams and providing them with the tools they need will ultimately lead to a stronger and more secure organization. These unsung heroes deserve recognition for their efforts in preventing attacks and rebuilding cities after battles with villains. By supporting them, we can ensure that the right heroes are recognized and celebrated.
About the Author:
Karthik Kannan is the Founder and CEO of Anvilogic, a cybersecurity startup based in Palo Alto. With decades of experience in cybersecurity, analytics, and big data, Karthik is passionate about empowering SOC teams and helping organizations stay safe from attacks. He is an active volunteer in the local community and can be reached at karthik@anvilogic.com. Visit the company website at https://www.anvilogic.com.