Copyright businessday
Cybersecurity has become a boardroom priority. With data breaches and ransomware attacks making headlines almost weekly, no organisation is immune from banks and telecoms to government agencies and small enterprises. The challenge is not just detecting threats but doing so quickly and efficiently. This is where a well-run Security Operations Centre (SOC) makes the difference between a minor disruption and a major crisis. The Growing Pressure on Security Teams A SOC is essentially the command centre of a company’s cybersecurity efforts. It monitors networks, identifies suspicious activity, and coordinates responses to potential attacks. But in many organisations, these teams are struggling to keep pace. The reasons are clear: the sheer volume of data being generated, the increasing sophistication of attackers, and the constant stream of alerts that analysts must investigate. Many SOC teams face what experts call “alert fatigue”; an endless flood of notifications, most of which turn out to be false alarms. The result is burnout, slow responses, and sometimes, missed threats. Integration: Breaking Down the Silos Over the years, companies have added more cybersecurity tools to their technology stack from antivirus and firewalls to cloud monitoring and threat intelligence feeds. While each has value, too many disconnected systems can slow everything down. Analysts waste time switching between dashboards instead of focusing on real risks. To tackle this, businesses are now embracing integration. Modern platforms bring all these data sources together, giving security teams a single, unified view of what’s happening across the organisation. This improves visibility and speeds up decision-making. In essence, integration replaces confusion with clarity, a vital step toward efficient cybersecurity. Automation: Doing More with Less In today’s fast-moving threat landscape, human response alone is no longer enough. Automation helps SOCs handle repetitive, time-consuming tasks such as sorting alerts or gathering background information about an incident. This frees up analysts to concentrate on complex investigations that require human judgment. Artificial intelligence (AI) takes this a step further. Machine-learning algorithms can spot unusual patterns of behaviour and prioritise alerts based on risk, helping organisations identify genuine threats faster. The combination of human expertise and AI-driven insights creates a smarter, faster, and more proactive SOC. However, automation is most effective when it supports, not replaces, people. The goal is a partnership between human analysts and intelligent systems, one that multiplies efficiency without losing the human touch. Speed and Preparedness Matter When a cyber breach occurs, every minute counts. The faster a threat is detected and contained, the lower the potential damage. Efficient SOCs achieve this by reducing what experts call “mean time to detect” (MTTD) and “mean time to respond” (MTTR). Clear processes and well-defined playbooks are essential. For example, when a phishing email or ransomware attack is detected, the response should be immediate and coordinated from isolating affected systems to notifying the right teams. Regular drills and simulations can also ensure that everyone knows their role when a real incident occurs. This level of readiness doesn’t just reduce downtime; it builds confidence among customers, regulators, and investors that the business is resilient and well-governed. Putting People at the Centre While technology plays a big role, people remain the heart of any effective SOC. Cybersecurity analysts are highly skilled professionals, and their motivation, training, and wellbeing directly affect performance. High turnover or burnout can weaken defences as much as outdated software. Forward-looking organisations invest in continuous learning, mentorship, and team collaboration. They also prioritise tools that simplify rather than overwhelm such as intuitive dashboards, clear reporting, and automation that reduces cognitive strain. When analysts are supported and valued, their effectiveness multiplies. Turning Efficiency into a Competitive Edge Cybersecurity is often seen as a cost of doing business, but efficiency turns it into a competitive advantage. A well-structured SOC doesn’t just prevent losses; it protects reputation, ensures business continuity, and builds trust. In a marketplace where data integrity and customer confidence are priceless, these outcomes directly influence long-term success. The path forward is clear: integration to eliminate silos, automation to boost speed, and empowerment of the people behind the screens. Together, these elements transform SOCs from reactive firefighting units into proactive guardians of business value. In a world where cyber threats evolve daily, efficiency in security operations is no longer optional, it’s the foundation of resilience. And resilience, in today’s digital economy, is the ultimate business strength. Motunrayo Fransisca Ogundipe is a passionate and results-driven Cybersecurity Analyst with over six years of experience protecting organizations from the ever-evolving landscape of digital threats. Her journey in cybersecurity has been inspired by a deep curiosity for technology and a commitment to protecting sensitive information systems.
