When to use SOAR?

Information security specialists face a huge flow of incidents every day. Logs are filling up, and alerts are firing one after another. The task is not just to react to all this manually, but also to do it as quickly as possible. This is where SOAR comes in — a tool that promises to automate some processes and relieve experts from routine. But when is it really worth implementing SOAR, and when can a team handle it?

SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) is a system that helps automate and accelerate the processes of detecting and responding to cyberattacks. It combines disparate security tools and data into a single whole, allowing teams to respond to threats faster and more effectively. SOAR takes on routine tasks, automates incident analysis, and helps make prompt decisions, which reduces the workload of specialists and minimizes risks to the business.

In theory, it sounds like every SOC specialist’s dream, but in reality, implementing SOAR is not always an easy path. Let’s look at what signs signal that it’s time to think about implementing automation.

When manual labor is no longer justified

The more incidents there are, the harder it is to separate false positives from real threats. Manually processing dozens or even hundreds of alerts per day turns the SOC into a sort of “alert recycling factory.” And here comes the main question: how much time is spent on routine tasks? On average, processing each incident requires repetitive steps: checking logs, analyzing the network, checking IP, and so on in a circle. SOAR helps automate these processes so that security teams can focus on the incidents that really matter.

How do you know if you need SOAR?

1. The volume of incidents exceeds the team's capacity.
   When you realize that your team doesn't have enough time even to close critical incidents, and minor threats are left unattended, this is the first signal that it's time to implement automation.

2. There is not enough time to respond.
   Speed ​​of incident response is key. When investigation takes too long and delays in processing can lead to leaks or compromise of the system, SOAR becomes not just an option, but a necessity.

3. The team burns out from routine.
   Security professionals should not waste their potential on monotonous work. The ability to solve complex problems, detect anomalies, and prevent attacks should not be exchanged for constantly checking alerts. SOAR removes some of this burden, freeing specialists for more important tasks.

What does SOAR provide in practice?

The biggest value of SOAR is the reduction in incident response time (MTTR). SOAR can automatically collect data, initiate investigations, apply basic rules to block suspicious activity, and generate reports. This means that SOC specialists can move on to analyzing more complex threats much faster, because the routine part has already been done by the machine.

But don’t think that SOAR is a solution to all problems. Automation helps with basic tasks, but no one has canceled complex attacks and manual analysis. Properly configured SOAR is a tool for increasing efficiency, not a panacea.

When should you not implement SOAR?

1. Small company with limited incident flow.
   If the number of threats and alerts is within reasonable limits, SOAR may be overkill and even complicate processes.

2. Lack of necessary specialists.
   Implementing and configuring SOAR requires an experienced team. Without one, the risks of improper configuration can outweigh all the benefits of automation.

Let's sum it up

SOAR is a great tool for those who are ready to automate routine processes, but implementation requires preparation. Not every SOC needs SOAR right now, but if your team is drowning in incidents and response speed is slowing, it’s time to think about automation. A properly configured SOAR will not only make life easier, but also give security professionals time to do what they came into the profession for — actually protecting the company.