How to Migrate from SOAR to Future-Proof AI Automation

How to Migrate from SOAR to Future-Proof AI Automation With Swimlane 

As a Professional Services Engineer at Swimlane, I frequently engage with security operations centers (SOCs) grappling with the limitations of their existing Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) platforms. While these platforms have undoubtedly brought significant value by initiating the journey toward automation, many organizations find themselves hitting a ceiling. They face challenges with scaling, integration complexities, code-heavy playbook development, and a lack of true flexibility to adapt to evolving threats and business needs.

This isn’t an indictment of the initial investment; rather, it’s a testament to the rapid evolution of the threat landscape and the growing maturity of security automation. Organizations are realizing that a truly agile and resilient SOC requires a platform that goes beyond basic orchestration and embraces the power of AI, low-code, and cloud-native automation. This is where Swimlane Turbine shines, offering a path to elevate your security operations to unprecedented levels of efficiency and effectiveness.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re already feeling these pain points and are considering a move. You might be struggling to maintain complex, code-dependent playbooks, or perhaps your current platform simply can’t keep up with the sheer volume of alerts your security stack generates. The good news is that migrating to Swimlane isn’t a daunting leap into the unknown; it’s a strategic evolution guided by a proven process.

Why Make the Switch to Swimlane?

Before diving into the “how,” let’s briefly touch on the “why.” Turbine addresses the common frustrations of traditional SOAR platforms by offering:

• True Low-Code Automation: Turbine Canvas, our low-code playbook building studio, reduces reliance on highly specialized coding skills. Our intuitive, drag-and-drop interface empowers a broader range of security professionals to build and manage sophisticated automations, accelerating development and reducing bottlenecks.
• Enterprise-Scale Performance: Built for cloud-scale, Turbine can handle millions of actions daily, ensuring your automation keeps pace with even the most demanding environments and large alert volumes. Say goodbye to performance bottlenecks and system crashes.
• Infinite Integration Possibilities: Beyond pre-built connectors, Turbine’s flexible architecture allows for seamless integration with virtually any security tool, IT system, or business application via APIs. This breaks down silos and truly orchestrates your entire security ecosystem.
• Generative & Agentic AI Capabilities: Leverage Hero AI, a collection of generative and agentic AI capabilities in Swimlane Turbine, for a trustworthy and cost-effective way to integrate AI into the automation process. From intelligent case management, to recommended actions, AI-augmented reporting, and even an AI companion, Hero AI empowers your analysts to focus on high-value tasks and make more informed decisions faster.
• Customizable Case Management: Gain unparalleled visibility and control over your incidents with highly customizable case management, ensuring every piece of relevant data is at your analysts’ fingertips.
• Centralized Control Center: Swimlane acts as a centralized control center for all security operations, providing comprehensive audit trails and a single pane of glass for reporting, compliance, and continuous improvement.

Your Guide to Migrating to Swimlane: A Step-by-Step Approach

Migrating from an existing SOAR platform to Swimlane is a journey, and our Professional Services team is here to guide you every step of the way. Here’s a generalized roadmap to help you understand the process:

1. Discovery and Assessment:

• Understand Current State: Our team will work with yours to thoroughly understand your existing SOAR environment. This includes an inventory of current playbooks, integrations, data sources, use cases, and performance metrics.
• Identify Pain Points and Goals: We’ll collaborate to pinpoint the specific challenges you’re facing with your current platform and define clear, measurable objectives for your Swimlane implementation. What outcomes are you looking to achieve? Faster response times? Reduced alert fatigue? Improved compliance reporting?
• Content Migration Strategy: We’ll assess the feasibility and approach for migrating existing automations and data. While direct, like-for-like content migration can be complex given architectural differences, we focus on re-implementing existing value and identifying opportunities for optimization.

2. Architectural Design and Planning:

• Swimlane Deployment Strategy: Based on your needs, we’ll design the optimal Swimlane deployment architecture (cloud, on-premises, or hybrid).
• Integration Blueprint: We’ll map out all necessary integrations with your existing security tools (SIEM, EDR, Firewall, TI feeds, etc.) and IT systems, ensuring seamless data flow and action execution.
• Use Case Prioritization: We’ll help you prioritize which use cases to migrate first, often starting with high-volume, repetitive tasks that offer quick wins and immediate value.

3. Platform Setup and Core Configuration:

• Installation/Provisioning: Our team will assist with the rapid deployment of your Swimlane environment.
• User and Role Management: We’ll configure user access, roles, and permissions to align with your SOC’s operational structure.
• Initial Integrations: Key integrations identified in the planning phase will be established and tested.

4. Content Development and Optimization:

• Playbook Re-platforming: This is where the magic happens. Our experts, alongside your team, will leverage Swimlane’s low-code capabilities to rebuild your essential automations. We’ll focus on efficiency and scalability, often streamlining processes that were cumbersome in your previous platform.
• New Use Case Development: Beyond migrating existing functionality, we’ll identify and build new automations to address emerging threats or automate processes that were previously manual.
• Case Management Customization: Tailor Swimlane’s powerful case management to your specific incident response workflows, ensuring analysts have the correct information and actions readily available.
• Reporting and Dashboards: Configure dashboards and reports to provide real-time visibility into your security posture and demonstrate ROI.

5. Testing and Validation:

• Unit and Integration Testing: Thoroughly test individual playbooks and end-to-end workflows to ensure all automations are functioning as expected.
• User Acceptance Testing (UAT): Your SOC team will actively participate in UAT, providing feedback and validating that the new automations meet their operational needs.
• Performance Testing: Verify that the Swimlane platform performs optimally under expected load and across various use cases.

6. Knowledge Transfer and Training:

• Administrator Training: Equip your team with the skills to manage and maintain the Swimlane platform.
• Analyst Training: Train your security analysts on how to effectively use Swimlane for incident response, alert triage, and case management.
• Documentation: Provide comprehensive documentation of your Swimlane environment, including playbooks, integrations, and operational procedures.

7. Go-Live and Post-Migration Support:

• Phased Rollout: Depending on the complexity, we might recommend a phased rollout of use cases to ensure a smooth transition.
• Monitoring and Optimization: Continuously monitor the platform’s performance and work with your team to identify opportunities for further optimization and automation.
• Ongoing Professional Services: Our Professional Services team continues to be a valuable resource for ongoing support, advanced use case development, and strategic guidance as your security automation journey evolves.

Migrating to Swimlane is more than just a platform swap; it’s an opportunity to redefine your SOC’s capabilities. We have helped customers like Bayside Solutions and Global Data Systems migrate from their legacy SOARs on tight timelines, and deliver quick results. We’re here to help you make that transition a success.