Only 10% of SOCs Say They’re Getting Excellent Value From AI. Here’s What the Second Wave Has to Deliver
What happened
Only 10 percent of Security Operations Centers (SOCs) report they are getting excellent value from their AI investments despite rapid adoption. Over the past eighteen months, AI has moved from a marketing buzzword to a fixed line item in security budgets. Billions of dollars are now flowing into AI-enhanced SOC tools ranging from full security platforms to AI co-pilots embedded deep within security workflows. SOCs are adopting and deploying AI capabilities faster than ever, but satisfaction remains low.
Why it matters
The gap between AI spending and perceived value signals that current AI deployments often miss the mark on real operational impact. Security teams are pressured to integrate AI across the entire stack to handle rising alert volumes and evolving threats. Yet most AI tools deliver only incremental help or require significant tuning before they fit into daily workflows. This keeps costs high and frustrates SOC leaders looking for clear returns on investment. Until AI systems provide nuanced detection, fewer false positives, and smoother integration with analyst processes, SOCs will hesitate to fully commit.
What to watch next
The next wave of AI in security must focus on usability and measurable outcomes. Vendors that build AI tools closely tied to analyst efficiency, threat context, and automated response will gain ground. Improvements in agentic AI—tools that can act autonomously within the SOC—are key to shifting value perception upwards. Watch for breakthroughs in AI explainability, context-aware alerts, and integrations that reduce workload rather than adding new layers. Until these arrive, expect budgets to grow but ROI assessments to stay cautious and scrutinized.
AI Quick Briefs Editorial Desk
