7 Essential Security Operations Center Tools for 2025

7 Essential Security Operations Center Tools for 2025

Equipping your security operations center (SOC) team with the right tools is essential to their success. Without the right tools, it would be like sending firefighters into a blaze armed with toy water guns—it’s simply not good enough to handle the intensity of modern threats. Just as firefighters rely on specialized gear to tackle fires quickly and efficiently, your security team needs advanced tools to combat the growing complexity of cyberattacks. The right technology doesn’t just make their job easier—it ensures they can protect your organization effectively.

This article explores the must-have tools that empower SOC analysts to safeguard systems and ensure resilience in 2025 and beyond.

What are the Tools Used in SOC?

SOC analysts rely on various tools to monitor, detect, and respond to cyber threats. These tools range from data aggregation systems to advanced threat detection technologies, each serving a specific purpose in the threat management lifecycle.

1. SIEM (Security Information and Event Management)

SIEM tools play a critical role in the SOC by collecting and analyzing data from across the organization in real time. SIEM solutions help analysts identify anomalies and potential security incidents by consolidating logs and event data. 

One key benefit is enhanced visibility into network activity, enabling quicker detection of threats. SIEM tools streamline incident response processes, facilitate compliance reporting, and support forensic analysis. By automating many aspects of data collection and analysis, SOC teams can focus on responding to critical threats rather than getting bogged down in data management.

2. IDS/IPS 

Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) are essential for identifying unauthorized access and mitigating potential attacks. IDS monitors network traffic for suspicious activities, while IPS immediately blocks detected threats. Together, they provide proactive security measures that strengthen an organization’s defenses.

At Swimlane, we’ve developed the Automation Readiness and Maturity of Orchestrated Resources (ARMOR) Framework, which includes a readiness assessment and maturity matrix. This framework equips security professionals with the tools to assess SecOps capabilities on a five-level scale, defining their organization’s maturity baseline and charting a straightforward automation readiness journey.

3. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools are essential for detecting and mitigating threats at the endpoint level, such as workstations and servers. These solutions continuously monitor endpoint behavior, enabling swift isolation of compromised devices to prevent the spread of malware or other threats.

With Swimlane Turbine, an AI automation platform, all endpoint security-related alerts are addressed at machine speed, a level of efficiency impossible for human analysts alone. Contextualized alerts provided by Turbine help analysts quickly identify other affected endpoints, ensuring threats are contained before they escalate into full-fledged security breaches. By acting in real time, Turbine enhances the effectiveness of EDR tools and fortifies your organization’s endpoint defenses.

Discover EDR use cases. 

4. Network Traffic Analysis (NTA)

NTA tools are crucial for 2025 as cyber threats become more sophisticated. These tools empower SOC analysts to monitor and analyze traffic patterns in real time, detecting anomalies that traditional security solutions might miss. By examining network behavior, NTA tools can uncover hidden threats like advanced persistent threats (APTs) or insider attacks that evade detection.

In 2025, where hybrid and cloud environments dominate, the ability to identify unusual activity across increasingly complex infrastructures is more vital than ever. Effective NTA not only detects breaches but also provides actionable insights to address vulnerabilities and strengthen an organization’s overall security posture in a fast-evolving threat landscape.

5. Threat Intelligence Platforms (TIP)

TIPs are indispensable for aggregating and analyzing data from diverse sources to provide actionable insights. These platforms enable SOC teams to stay ahead of emerging threats by delivering timely and relevant information, thereby enhancing defense strategies and situational awareness.

Integrating AI with automation further amplifies the capabilities of TIPs. For instance, Swimlane’s Hero AI introduces AI features that streamline threat intelligence processes. A notable component is the Text-to-Code ChatBot, which leverages AI to simplify automation development, enabling SOC teams to respond to threats more efficiently. 

By harnessing AI threat intelligence, organizations can process vast amounts of threat data swiftly, allowing analysts to focus on critical tasks and maintain a proactive security posture in the dynamic cyber landscape of 2025.

6. Vulnerability Management Systems

Vulnerability Management Systems (VMS) are essential for proactively identifying, categorizing, and prioritizing vulnerabilities within an organization’s environment. These systems enable SOC teams to address potential weaknesses before attackers can exploit them, maintaining a robust security posture.

Implementing a comprehensive Vulnerability Management Program (VMP) involves several key steps:

• Asset and Owner Identification: Establishing a detailed inventory of all systems and their respective owners to ensure accountability and effective vulnerability remediation.
• Regular Scanning and Reporting: Conducting routine scans to detect vulnerabilities and generating automated reports to keep security teams informed and responsive.
• Policy Development: Creating and enforcing policies related to scanning, reporting, and remediation to standardize processes across the organization.

By adhering to these best practices, organizations can systematically manage risks associated with unpatched, misconfigured, and unknown systems, thereby strengthening their defenses against potential cyber threats.

7. Swimlane Turbine 

Low-Code Canvas

Swimlane Turbine’s Low-Code Canvas, the ultra-simple low-code automation studio, enables SOC teams to design and automate workflows without extensive programming knowledge. This user-friendly environment promotes collaboration among analysts and enhances efficiency by allowing quick adjustments to incident response processes.

Hero AI 

Hero AI, a collection of AI-enabled innovations that combines generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), automation, and low-code technology to help analysts detect and respond to threats more effectively. By leveraging machine learning algorithms, this tool can predict potential threats, reducing response times and improving overall security.

Autonomous Integrations

Swimlane Turbine supports Autonomous Integrations, allowing for seamless data sharing and orchestration across various security tools. This capability ensures that SOC teams can operate with enhanced efficiency, enabling quick actions based on real time data and analytics.

With the right combination of these essential tools, SOC analysts can effectively fortify organizational defenses and respond swiftly to cyber threats in 2025. As the threat landscape becomes increasingly complex, adopting cutting-edge solutions is crucial for staying ahead.

Ready to future-proof your cybersecurity strategy? Request a demo of Swimlane’s AI automation tools today and see how we can help you build a resilient SOC for 2025 and beyond.