Organizations are encountering several challenges in their security operations, primarily due to a growing attack surface, an increasingly dangerous threat landscape, and the complexity and volume of security alerts. Over half (52%) of security professionals believe that managing security operations has become more difficult over the past two years, exacerbated by the rise in public cloud usage and the need for more effective alert management.

SOC modernization is a key initiative for 88% of organizations looking to enhance their security operations. They are focusing on improving the operationalization of threat intelligence, integrating asset management data, prioritizing risks and alerts, and automating common security tasks. These efforts aim to create a more efficient and effective security operations center that can better manage risks and respond to threats.

XDR is gaining traction in the security industry, with 61% of security professionals reporting they are very familiar with the technology. However, there remains some confusion about its definition, with many viewing it as an extension of EDR or a product from a single vendor. Despite this ambiguity, investment in XDR for advanced threat detection continues to grow, indicating its potential role in reshaping security operations.