2025 SANS SOC Survey Insights: Why AI Automation is Non-Negotiable

2025 SANS SOC Survey Insights: Why AI Automation is Non-Negotiable 

The 2025 SANS SOC Survey paints a revealing picture of modern Security Operations Centers (SOCs). While many are operational 24/7 and core capabilities are strong, challenges like staff shortages, reactive workflows, and overwhelming data volumes persist. 

As a leading security Artificial Intelligence (AI) automation company, we see these trends not just as challenges, but as clear indicators: AI and automation are no longer optional; they’re essential for SOCs to thrive. Let’s dive into what the survey reveals and how AI automation can address these critical pain points.

6 Takeaways from the 2025 SANS SOC Survey 

1. 82% of SOCs are operational 24/7

This highlights the need for continuous monitoring and response. AI automation platforms can provide this round-the-clock vigilance, automating routine tasks and freeing up analysts to focus on complex threats. Our platform can continuously monitor for anomalies, trigger automated responses, and escalate only when human intervention is crucial.

2. 85% of SOC analysts say alerts from endpoint security tools are their primary trigger for response

This points to alert overload. AI automation can prioritize alerts, filter out false positives, and provide context-rich data for faster decision-making. Our SOC Automation Solution integrates with any endpoint detection and response (EDR) tool to correlate events from multiple sources, reducing noise and enabling efficient incident response through playbooks and AI-driven case management. 

3. 42% of SOCs dump all incoming data into a SIEM, often without a solid plan 

This data deluge leads to issues with actionability. To summarize the great SIEM vs. SOAR debate, SIEM tools fall short of the “event management” part of their namesake. That’s why many SIEM vendors have acquired SOAR tools in an attempt to fill the gap; however, this approach is not customer-centric. To truly operationalize SIEM alert management, it’s crucial to have an independent AI automation solution that’s flexible and can facilitate responses across your entire ecosystem. 

4. 40% of SOCs use AI/ML tools without defining them as part of their security operations 

It is indisputable that AI tools are increasingly present in the SOC, yet a surprising 40% of teams use them without a defined strategy. This ad-hoc adoption carries risks, such as wasted budget and new attack surfaces. SOCs must shift to a standardized, team-approved implementation to maximize strengths and mitigate risks. Additionally, robust oversight is crucial to manage data flowing to these platforms and to address unsanctioned ‘shadow AI’ deployments.

5. 69% of SOCs still rely on manual or mostly manual processes to report their metrics

This is inefficient and time-consuming. Our platform automates SOC metric reporting, providing real-time dashboards and actionable insights. This not only saves time but also enhances accuracy and enables data-driven decision-making.

6. 62% of SOC professionals say their organization isn’t doing enough to retain top staff

This is a critical issue. AI automation can mitigate alert fatigue, making the job more engaging for analysts. By automating mundane tasks, our solutions enable analysts to focus on higher-level analysis and threat hunting, thereby increasing job satisfaction and retention.

The AI and Automation Advantage

The data from the SANS SOC Survey underscores the need for AI automation solutions for top cybersecurity challenges, like: 

• Reduce alert fatigue: AI-powered triage and prioritization.
• Enhance data management: Utilize automated ingestion, analysis, and correlation.
• Improve SOC efficiency: Automate routine tasks and reporting.
• Support staff retention: Engaging work and reduced burnout.
• Enable proactive threat hunting: AI-driven analysis and hypothesis generation.

Swimlane Turbine, our security AI automation platform, addresses all these needs, enabling SOC to operate more effectively, efficiently, and proactively.

Takeaways for SOC Leaders 

The challenges highlighted in the 2025 SANS SOC Survey are not insurmountable. By embracing AI automation, SOCs can transform their operations, overcome staffing shortages, manage data overload, and move from reactive to proactive security. At Swimlane, we are committed to providing the tools and expertise to make this transformation a reality. The future of the SOC is automated, and we’re here to lead the way.