For AI to Succeed in the SOC, CISOs Must Remove Legacy Walls

Introduction

Organizations are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to boost their security operations centers (SOCs). Yet, legacy walls pose a significant challenge. These outdated systems, processes, and mindsets prevent organizations from fully utilizing AI. For chief information security officers (CISOs) to unlock AI's potential in the SOC, breaking down these barriers is crucial.

What Are Legacy Walls?

Legacy walls are outdated elements that cause fragmentation within security operations. Allie Mellen, a principal analyst at Forrester, notes that many organizations limit their AI capabilities by clinging to these outdated practices.

• Tool Sprawl: The average enterprise SOC uses 83 security tools from 29 different vendors. This creates isolated data streams, making AI integration challenging.
• Governance Gridlock: Traditional security governance struggles to keep up with AI's fast pace.
• Cultural Silos: Isolated security teams are less effective, weakening the organization's overall security posture.

Why Is It Important to Remove Legacy Walls?

The gap between AI's potential and its actual impact often comes down to organizational readiness. While companies like Salesforce and Carvana thrive with AI, others are held back by legacy systems.

The risks are significant:

• Rapid Attack Rates: Adversaries can breach systems in as little as 51 seconds, according to CrowdStrike.
• Increased Breaches: Over 70% of enterprises have faced at least one AI-related breach in the past year.
• High Failure Rates: AI agents fail 70 to 90% of the time on complex tasks, as reported by Carnegie Mellon's AgentCompany benchmark.

How Can CISOs Bridge the AI Gap?

CISOs play a vital role in overcoming AI challenges. They need to proactively dismantle legacy walls and create an AI-friendly environment. Strategies include:

1. Adopt a Unified Security Strategy: Merge security and IT operations to cut down on major security incidents by 30%.
2. Implement a Single-Agent Architecture: Use platforms that bring all data sources together, aiding real-time decision-making.
3. Encourage Collaboration: Promote teamwork between security and development teams to speed up processes and enhance security.

Transforming Governance for AI Agents

Effective governance is crucial for managing AI at machine speed. A centralized platform that integrates telemetry data is key. Steps to achieve this include:

• Policy-as-Code: Automate governance policies for consistent enforcement.
• Single Source of Truth: Use a unified system for easier regulatory reporting.
• Continuous Control Monitoring: Regularly test policies to ensure they're effective.
• Closed-Loop Enforcement: Automate responses to policy violations.
• Identity-Centric Governance: Track activities by identity for better control.

The Role of CISOs in Cultural Transformation

CISOs must shift from gatekeepers to strategic enablers to foster a culture that supports AI and security innovation. Key actions include:

• Align Performance with Business Goals: Link security metrics to revenue growth.
• Promote Automation: Use automation to achieve governance at machine speed.
• Integrate Security into Development: Make security an integral part of the development process.

Conclusion

For AI to transform the SOC, CISOs must eliminate legacy walls that block innovation and efficiency. By adopting a unified security approach, promoting collaboration, and enabling fast-paced governance, organizations can set themselves up for success. With adversaries constantly advancing, removing these barriers is not just strategic—it's essential. Acting decisively now will secure a more resilient future for your organization.