Lessons from the SOC: Fix the Basics Before Chasing Buzzwords

Fernando Gomez

From inside a Security Operations Center (SOC), patterns emerge. Analysts sit at the crossroads of alerts, incidents, and consequences. Across industries and tech stacks, we keep seeing the same core problems because while tools change, the fundamentals don’t. 

Here’s what too many organizations get wrong and what needs to change. 

Skipping the Basics in Favor of Shiny Tools 

Too many organizations pour budget into advanced threat hunting, zero trust buzzwords, and machine learning detection while quietly skipping foundational controls. Modern endpoint protection, modern email security, routine security awareness training aren’t ‘nice to haves’, they’re essential. 

If you don’t have good coverage on endpoints, if your email security can’t block phishing attempts before they reach the user, or if employees haven’t been trained to spot threats then you’re building your security program on sand. 

Inconsistent or Incomplete MFA Deployment 

It’s surprising how often multi-factor authentication (MFA) is implemented… but only partway. A common SOC frustration is responding to compromised accounts that shouldn’t exist because MFA should have been enforced universally. It’s not enough to apply MFA to executives and ignore contractors. It’s not enough to only protect VPNs or email. Attackers go where the gaps are. Partial coverage is the same as no coverage as attackers only need one unlocked door. If there’s a weak link in the chain, they’ll find it. MFA needs to be everywhere. No exceptions. 

Not Leveraging Conditional Access and Geofencing 

Modern identity and cloud platforms support conditional access and geofencing, yet few organizations use them to their full potential. Why allow logins from countries where you don’t do business? Why not flag impossible travel or legacy authentication attempts? SOC analysts routinely see suspicious logins bypass scrutiny because the detection rules aren’t tuned or conditional policies aren’t in place. Flagging impossible travel, like a login from Brazil followed by one from Chicago five minutes later, is basic hygiene many still overlook. These are low-effort, high-impact controls that can significantly reduce risk, yet they remain underused. 

Ignoring the Early Warning Signs 

SOC teams often catch signs that an attack is in progress, but they aren’t noticed or escalated fast enough: 

• New inbox rules suddenly created. 
• Unusual login patterns at odd hours. 
• Email forwarding to external addresses. 

These are red flags, not noise. Organizations must treat them as such. Alerts on anomalous logins, inbox rule changes, or privilege escalations shouldn’t just be acknowledged, they need to trigger action. 

Weak User Awareness Around Non-Email Threats 

We’ve made progress telling employees not to click on links or open unexpected attachments but that’s still a blind spot. Unauthorized USB devices, random cloud service usage, and unvetted mobile apps are also risk vectors. 

Shadow IT and plug-and-play hardware are entry points for attackers. Users must be taught that security isn’t just about phishing, it’s about understanding which behaviors open the door to compromise. 

Over-Reliance on Prevention Alone 

Prevention is important. But every SOC analyst knows that prevention will fail eventually. Threat actors are persistent, creative, and sometimes well-resourced. It’s not a matter of if someone gets in, it’s whether you detect them before they cause damage. Organizations need to stop seeing detection and response as secondary. Detection engineering, log analysis, incident playbooks, and prepared response processes are essential. If you aren’t constantly testing your ability to detect and react, then you’re not really prepared. Assume breach. Build your program around detection and response, not just perimeter defenses. 

Underestimating the Human Element 

With all the hype around AI and automation, it’s easy to think that SOC work will soon be machine-driven. But here’s the truth from inside the trenches: humans still matter. A lot. 

AI tools can reduce noise, correlate signals, and recommend actions but it still takes human analysts to understand the bigger picture, apply critical thinking, and make decisions that balance security with business operations. And most AI models still need tuning, maintenance, and validation from experienced professionals. Good analysts don’t just monitor but they analyze, investigate, and communicate. That’s not something AI replaces anytime soon. 

Lack of Coordination Between People, Processes, and Tools 

Tools alone won’t save you. Even the best platforms can’t fix broken processes or siloed teams. SOC analysts often find themselves compensating for unclear roles, outdated playbooks, or a lack of communication during incidents. 

Security requires orchestration where people, processes, and tools work together in harmony. That means: 

• Clear escalation paths. 
• Documented incident response procedures. 
• Regular tabletop exercises. 
• Collaboration between IT, security, compliance, and leadership. 

Final Thought 

SOC analysts see what works and what fails. They’re on the frontlines, responding in real time, connecting dots, and learning from every incident. The companies that thrive are the ones that listen to that insight, not just after an incident, but proactively. If you’re leading a security program, make it a habit to debrief with your SOC team regularly. Use their insights not just for incident reviews, but to shape strategy. Their view is closer to reality than any executive dashboard. And make sure your organization is built on a strong foundation because that’s what ultimately keeps attackers out, and your business safe.