Inside the 2025 State of the SOC

Security Operations Centers (SOCs) are being pushed to their limits as threat actors move faster, use automation to scale attacks, and target complex hybrid environments. In response, SOC teams are adopting artificial intelligence (AI) to manage the flood of alerts and data without losing control.

N‑able’s 2025 State of the SOC Report offers a front-line view into how SOCs are navigating this shift. Drawing from real-world data and our MDR team’s experience, the report reveals how organizations should be rethinking their tools, teams, and tactics.

In this blog, we break down the report’s top 3 findings, including how AI is enhancing, not replacing, human analysts; why cloud complexity is reshaping detection strategies; and how speed has become the defining metric of SOC performance. Whether you’re a security leader, practitioner, or managed service provider, these insights offer a clear view into where the SOC is headed and how to stay ahead..

What Organizations Needs to Know

Below are three key takeaways that your organization should keep in mind as you look to outpace cyber threats and equip your SOC with everything it needs to evolve with the current landscape:

1. AI is amplifying, but not replacing analysts

SOCs are embracing AI and machine learning to speed up detection and automate low-level triage. These tools help surface potential threats faster and filter out noise from massive alert volumes. However, AI isn’t replacing the need for skilled analysts—it’s enhancing their work. Nearly all major incidents still require human investigation, judgment, and response. The most mature SOCs are integrating AI to assist, not automate away, decision-making.

2. Cloud is changing the game

The attack surface has fundamentally shifted. Traditional perimeter defenses no longer cut it in a world where cloud infrastructure, remote workforces, and SaaS platforms dominate. SOCs must now monitor fragmented environments that span on-premises, multi-cloud, and endpoint data. This evolution requires modern visibility tools, continuous telemetry, and threat detection strategies that adapt to decentralized environments.

3. Speed matters more now than ever

Attackers are moving faster—and so must defenders. The report highlights a growing emphasis on reducing meantime to detect and respond. SOCs are leveraging AI to identify indicators of compromise sooner and investing in automation for faster remediation. But the organizations that outperform others don’t just have better tools—they have streamlined processes, skilled analysts, and well-integrated tech stacks that allow them to act decisively.

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A Future Built on Balance

The cybersecurity landscape is defined by acceleration, and one where the best outcomes come from harmony, not hype. AI is proving invaluable in managing alert fatigue and increasing efficiency, but human judgment remains the key to making the right call when it matters most.

SOCs of the future will be those that strike a deliberate balance: embracing automation to scale, while continuing to invest in the people and processes that drive smart, strategic security operations.

To learn more about our 2025 State of the SOC, download the report.