Unveiling the State of Global SOCs – Key Takeaways from the SOC-CMM Maturity 2025

The Maturity Landscape: A Mixed Picture

One of the report’s central findings is the varying levels of maturity among SOCs, influenced by region, sector, and SOC type. The findings reveal:

Maturity growth is not guaranteed: Despite growing awareness, many SOCs report slow progress due to workload pressures and a lack of focused improvement efforts.

Self-assessment vs. third-party assessments: A critical insight was the consistent overestimation in self-assessed SOCs. Third-party assessments, though more resource-intensive, provide more accurate maturity scores.

High-performing sectors: Financial services, defense, and MSSPs lead in both maturity and capability, mainly due to regulatory pressures and operational complexity.

SOC Design Realities: People, Process, and Technology

The survey highlights several operational realities:

Retention and Recruitment: With an average analyst retention rate of just 1-2 years, SOCs struggle to maintain experienced staff. While most SOCs lack formal sourcing and retention strategies, those that have them report slightly better outcomes.

Role Structuring and Tiering: There is no consensus on the ideal SOC structure. Many still favor traditional tiered models, while others prefer more flexible, collaborative structures.

Process Gaps: Alarmingly, 64% of SOCs lack a metrics program. Metrics are essential for internal performance tracking and for demonstrating value to stakeholders.

Technology Trends: SIEM Remains Central, But AI Emerges

Technology adoption is another core focus:

SIEM is far from obsolete: Despite ongoing debates, SIEM remains the backbone of monitoring activities in most SOCs. It continues to serve as the single pane of glass and primary automation platform.

Automation Adoption: While automation is widely discussed, only a small percentage of SOCs implement advanced automation strategies such as response automation.

AI in the SOC: Around 40% of respondents use generative AI for tasks like report writing and enrichment. However, AI is still in its early stages within most SOCs, with trust and integration challenges hindering broader adoption.

Certification: The Push for Objective Validation

Launched in late 2024, the SOC-CMM certification program has gained rapid traction:

Interest Across the Board: 49% of SOCs surveyed expressed interest in certification, driven by internal quality goals and external pressures (such as NIS2 compliance in the EU).

Certification Levels: SOCs can certify at Defined, Validated, or Risk-Driven levels. While many aspire to achieve Risk-Driven status, most currently target the Validated level.

Preparation Challenges: SOCs familiar with SOC-CMM tools typically take about 3 months to prepare, whereas others may need up to 6 months, particularly without partner guidance.

What’s Next for SOC-CMM

The report outlines strategic updates coming to SOC-CMM in 2025:

Model Evolution: More descriptive, less product-centric tooling categories will replace traditional acronyms (like EDR or SIEM).

Best Practices Library: A new repository of SOC best practices is being developed in response to user demand for actionable implementation guidance.

Simplification of Tools: The SOC-CMM assessment tools will be streamlined for greater usability without sacrificing completeness.

Conclusion

The SOC-CMM Maturity Report 2025 sets a new benchmark in understanding the global SOC landscape. This report offers both a mirror and a roadmap for organizations looking to refine their SOC strategies or pursue certification. From persistent staffing challenges to the promising application of AI and the emergence of a global certification standard, SOCs are navigating a complex yet essential transformation. How effectively we act on these insights today will shape the future of security operations.

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