Generative AI in Action: Transforming Security Operations Centers (SOCs) for Modern Cyber Defense

Gen AI is transforming how SOCs detect, respond to, and manage cyber threats. It enables automating repetitive tasks such as log analysis, alert triage, and incident investigation – freeing analysts to focus on strategic threat hunting and decision-making. Integrated effectively, gen AI enhances operational efficiency, reduces mean time to respond, and supports real-time risk profiling.

This Viewpoint explores how gen AI fits across SOC architecture layers – from data collection and processing to analytics and incident response. It highlights real-world use cases, including AI-generated threat summaries, vulnerability detection through SAST/SCA automation, and intelligent response orchestration. Gen AI is also essential in workforce development, helping junior analysts upskill through guided workflows and natural language-based interfaces.

While the benefits are compelling, organizations must navigate risks such as rising implementation costs, expanded attack surfaces, governance complexities, and the potential erosion of analyst skill development. Planning, budgeting, and responsibly integrating gen AI are key to realizing its full value. A structured SMART-G framework defined in this Viewpoint can guide enterprises through strategic alignment, infrastructure readiness, model optimization, workforce training, and governance. The result is a future-ready SOC – resilient, scalable, and built for a rapidly evolving threat landscape.