The Long Tail of Tuning: Optimising SOC Planning and Execution

In previous newsletters, I discussed the effectiveness of the security operations centre (SOC) and explained some of the “grey areas” that allow attackers to bypass core security controls.

Today, I want to develop another critical aspect of SOC management that often goes overlooked: the long tail of tuning and optimisation.

Here’s what happens: When companies invest in a SOC, they tend to view it as a "one-and-done" solution, but this couldn't be further from the truth.

Initially, many stakeholders, ranging from architecture groups to extended sign-off chains, come together to operationalise the SOC. However, the long tail of this process extends well beyond the initial setup, demanding continuous tuning and validation.

While vendors may provide support for a limited period, the organisation is responsible for ensuring that the SOC remains effective.

The reality is that many organisations fail to consider the configuration and long-tail maintenance after implementation. While a SOC comes with powerful detection capabilities, it's not automatically fit for purpose right out of the box. It needs continuous investment, tuning, and validation to remain effective against evolving threats.

The lack of ongoing attention creates a perfect storm when combined with misconfigurations. We've seen cases where SOCs appear to be working well—generating alerts and seeming productive—until a purple team exercise or worse, a real attack, exposes their vulnerabilities.?

So, what can we do to address this issue? Here are a few key points to consider:?

• Continuous tuning and validation. Treat your SOC as an ongoing investment. Regularly refining detection rules and adjusting configurations to align with your current threat model and key assets.
• Practice scenarios. Just like pilots regularly drill for emergencies in aviation, SOC teams should routinely practice responding to various attack scenarios. This keeps skills sharp and processes efficient.
• Purple team exercises. Regular purple team exercises are invaluable for identifying gaps in your SOC’s effectiveness and fine-tuning its performance. I discussed more about purple team power in a previous article, highlighting the common failures in SOC operations that purple teaming can address.
• Skill development. Skill gaps often plague SOC teams. The effectiveness of a SOC relies on the team’s ability to write custom detection rules and fine-tune alerts. Without a deep understanding of current threats and tactics, teams struggle to detect and respond to sophisticated attacks. To overcome this, invest in continuous training and development for your team to improve their threat detection and response capabilities.
• Focus on ROI. When making security investments, consider how to maximise your return. This means not just implementing tools but ensuring they’re working optimally through continuous learning, adaptation, and mock drills.

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Remember, by neglecting the long tail of SOC tuning, you create blind spots that skilled attackers can exploit.

Let’s shift the narrative around SOC management. Organisations must understand that a SOC is not a set-it-and-forget-it solution but a living system that requires ongoing attention to remain effective.

At Chaleit, we help organisations navigate these challenges by focusing on continuous improvement and validation. Our approach allows us to build more resilient security operations that truly deliver on their promise to protect critical assets.

?In future articles, I’ll focus more on the relevance, impact, and effectiveness of our security practices. If you haven't already, subscribe to the Cyber Securi-Tea newsletter and let’s continue the conversation in the comments.

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