AI isn’t replacing SOC teams. It’s elevating them.

AI is significantly transforming Security Operations Center (SOC) teams by offering opportunities to alleviate workload pressures and enhance security roles, despite the persistence of manual tasks and widespread burnout among security professionals. A survey of over 1,800 global security professionals revealed that 99% of SOCs use AI, yet 81% report increased workloads, leading to burnout and potential attrition risks. The optimism surrounding AI's impact is notable, with 86% believing it will create new job opportunities and relieve repetitive tasks. AI is seen as a strategic enabler that can enhance roles by focusing on threat intelligence, compliance, identity monitoring, and phishing analysis, allowing analysts to shift towards more strategic, high-impact tasks. A blended approach that combines AI, automation, and human expertise is recommended to maximize efficiency and reduce burnout, emphasizing the need for AI governance and human oversight to maintain security and compliance. Ultimately, AI is not replacing security professionals but is being used to bolster teams, offering a future where AI and human intelligence work in tandem to enhance security operations.