Gartner Says SOAR Is Out: Why AI SOC Analysts Are In

SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) once promised to revolutionize security operations, but the time has come to admit it fell short. According to the 2024 Gartner Hype Cycle for ITSM, SOAR is no longer a viable solution for the modern demands of security operations.

According to their hype cycle, SOAR is now firmly in the “Trough of Disillusionment” and marked as reaching obsolescence before it reaches the “Plateau of Productivity.” Ultimately, the lack of agility and cost of SOAR technologies impeded the ability to fit into the strategies of modern organizations.

Cybercriminals continue to innovate and evolve, forcing security teams to be agile and efficient. Forward-thinking security teams are shifting their focus toward AI-based solutions to provide the scalability, automation, and adaptability that SOAR couldn’t deliver.

The Downfall of SOAR 

On the surface, SOAR seemed promising. However, the difference between conceptual security and actual delivery occurs during implementation and operation. Making SOAR deliver on its promises is not as easy as it appeared.

High Costs and Limited ROI

SOAR systems require significant financial investments for implementation and maintenance. Despite these costs, many organizations found that the return on investment (ROI) did not meet expectations. SOAR’s promise of automation fell short because of its complex workflows and manual playbook requirements, which ended up adding to the workload instead of streamlining it. 

Complexity and Skill Requirements

SOAR systems depend on custom-built playbooks and demand specialized skills for proper maintenance. Creating and updating these playbooks requires operational expertise, a precious commodity always in high demand. 

Integration and Operational Limitations

One of SOAR’s greatest challenges is its inability to integrate seamlessly with existing security environments. Custom connectors and extensive manual customization make deployment slow and cumbersome. 

The Emergence of AI SOC Analysts

AI SOC analysts autonomously triage and investigate real-time security alerts. Unlike SOAR systems, AI SOC analysts do not require predefined playbooks or complex coding. Instead, these multi-agent AI systems handle repetitive and time-consuming tasks, such as alert triage and data analysis, without human intervention. The result is a streamlined, more efficient security operation that adapts to each organization’s specific needs.

Key Advantages of AI SOC Analysts Versus SOAR Playbooks

• No Coding or Playbooks: Unlike SOAR, AI SOC analysts don’t require manual playbook creation or coding. These systems are designed to adapt to security environments and autonomously produce detailed investigation reports with minimal human input.
• Efficiency and Scalability: AI SOC analysts alleviate SOC workloads by enabling SOCs to handle a large volume of alerts without increasing headcount, allowing security teams to spend their time on other valuable projects such as incident response planning. Unlike SOAR, AI SOC analysts do not require constant updates and management.
• Continuous Learning: AI SOC analysts are not static. They continuously learn from historical data and real-time feedback, making them more effective at identifying emerging threats over time. This dynamic learning process ensures they remain relevant despite constantly evolving cybersecurity challenges.

Automating the Investigation Process

AI SOC analysts automate data collection and analysis using various security tools, significantly reducing the burden on human analysts. By automating repetitive and time-consuming processes, these AI-driven systems allow analysts to focus on higher-priority tasks that require human judgment and expertise.

Transforming Security Operations with AI

One of the biggest challenges SOCs face today is alert overload. AI SOC analysts tackle this issue head-on by autonomously triaging thousands of alerts. By weeding out false positives and providing clear, actionable insights for the alerts that matter, these systems allow SOC teams to spend their valuable time in the most productive way possible.

By automating routine investigations, AI SOC analysts also reduce the mental strain and alert fatigue that often lead to burnout in SOC teams. With AI handling low-level tasks, human analysts can focus on high-impact activities, improving efficiency and job satisfaction. As a result, SOC teams are less likely to experience burnout and more likely to retain top talent.

Real-World Success: Case Study

A digital insurance company faced significant challenges managing the high volume of security alerts generated by their systems. Manual processes overwhelmed the SOC team, leading to inefficiencies, missed threats, and alert fatigue. The team lacked the resources to keep up with the growing number of security incidents, and morale suffered as a result.

AI SOC Analysts to the Rescue

The company adopted an AI SOC analyst solution to streamline its alert triage process. The AI system integrated seamlessly with their existing tools, including AWS and Google Workspace, and began investigations within hours. The AI SOC analyst handled routine alerts autonomously, allowing the SOC team to focus on more complex investigations.

These changes resulted in marked improvements across the organization, including:

• Efficiency Gains: The SOC team processed more alerts in less time, improving the overall efficiency of their security operations.
• Cost Savings: By automating routine investigations, the company reduced the need for additional headcount and saved on operational costs.
• Increased Confidence in Security Operations: With AI SOC analysts handling the routine alerts, the SOC team could focus on higher-value tasks. This shift improved the team’s confidence in responding to critical threats while reducing the risk of burnout.

Why AI SOC Analysts Are the Future of Cybersecurity

Gartner’s decision to declare SOAR obsolete reflects the growing consensus that SOAR systems are no longer suitable for modern security operations. SOAR’s complexity, high costs, and lack of flexibility have made it a less viable option for organizations facing increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. 

The AI SOC Analyst as the Ideal Replacement

AI SOC analysts offer a more dynamic, scalable alternative to SOAR when it comes to alert triage and investigation. These AI-driven systems provide real-time, autonomous investigations without the overhead of manual playbooks or coding. As AI SOC analysts continuously learn from historical data and real-time feedback, they improve over time, becoming more accurate and efficient.

Enter Dropzone AI

Dropzone AI’s AI SOC analysts are specifically designed to solve the problems that SOAR has been unable to address. Dropzone AI’s solution offers fast deployment, low maintenance, and continuous learning, ensuring security teams stay ahead of evolving threats. With features that reduce false positives, enhance SOC efficiency, and provide real-time, decision-ready reports, Dropzone AI represents the future of alert triage and investigation.

A Smarter Future for SOCs

SOAR and SIEM systems, when used alone, are no longer enough to meet the demands of modern security operations. AI SOC analysts offer a smarter, more scalable solution by automating investigations, continuously learning from real-time data, and integrating seamlessly with existing tools. Solutions like DropzoneAI are paving the way for a new era in cybersecurity, where efficiency, accuracy, and adaptability are the standard.

• Schedule a demo today and discover how AI-driven alert triage can take your SOC operations to the next level.
• Explore our use case library to see how Dropzone AI works for phishing email investigation, cloud alert investigation, and more.

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