It’s 2026, yet many SOCs are still operating the way they did years ago, using tools and processes designed for a very different threat landscape. Given the growth in volumes and complexity of cyber threats, outdated practices no longer fully support analysts’ needs, staggering investigations and incident response.
Below are four limiting habits that may be preventing your SOC from evolving at the pace of adversaries, and insights into what forward-looking teams are doing instead to achieve enterprise-grade incident response this year.
1. Manual Review of Suspicious Samples
Despite advances in security tools, many analysts still rely heavily on manual validation and analysis. This approach creates friction on every step, from processing samples to switching between tools and manually correlating the findings.
Manually dependent workflows are often the root cause of alert fatigue and delayed prioritization, subsequently slowing down response. These challenges are especially relevant in high-volume alert flows, which are typical for enterprises.
What to do instead:
Modern SOCs are shifting towards automation-optimized workflows. Cloud-based malware analysis services allow teams to do full-scale threat detonations in a secure environment; no setup and maintenance needed. From quick answers to in-depth threat overview, automated sandboxes handle the groundwork without losing depth and quality of investigations. Analysts focus on higher-priority tasks and incident response.
| QR code analyzed and malicious URL opened in a browser automatically by ANY.RUN |
Enterprise SOCs using ANY.RUN’s Interactive Sandbox applies this model to reduce MTTR by 21 minutes per incident. Such a hands-on approach supports deep visibility into attacks, including multi-stage threats. Automated interactivity is able to deal with CAPTCHAs and QR codes that hide malicious activity with no analyst involvement. This enables analysts to gain a full understanding of the threat’s behavior to act quickly and decisively.
Transform your SOC in 2026 with ANY.RUN
2. Relying Solely on Static Scans and Reputation Checks
Static scans and reputation checks are useful, but on their own, aren’t always sufficient. Open-source intelligence databases that analysts often turn to often offer outdated indicators without real-time updates. This leaves your infrastructure vulnerable to the latest attacks. Adversaries continue to enhance their tactics with unique payloads, short-lived features, and evasion techniques, preventing signature-based detection.
What to do instead:
Leading SOCs employ behavioral analysis as the core of their operations. Detonating files and URLs in real time provides them with an instant view of malicious intent, even if it’s a never-before-seen threat.
Dynamic analysis exposes the entire execution flow, enabling fast detection of advanced threats, and rich behavioral insights enable confident decisions and investigations. From network and system activity to TTPs and detection rules, ANY.RUN supports all stages of threat investigations, facilitating dynamic in-depth analysis.
| ANY.RUN’s task execution graph showing all processes |
See how ANY.RUN supports all stages of investigations
3. Lack of Context-Rich Data and Threat Intel Feeds
It’s tempting to chase every alert, but without context, analysts may get bogged down investigating irrelevant alerts, delaying high-priority tasks. When security teams treat every alert as a high priority, they quickly succumb to alert fatigue.
What to do instead:
Rather than relying on assumptions, progressive SOCs implement context-rich threat intelligence platforms to quickly determine the legitimacy and severity of each alert. Enriching alerts with real-time threat intel, IOCs, and behavioral data helps analysts make well-informed decisions on what incidents to investigate, and how to handle them to prevent future occurrences.
| ANY.RUN’s threat intelligence overview for quick decision-making |
Explore context-rich threat intelligence feeds
4. Disconnected Tools and Security Data Silos
Many SOCs still struggle with a fragmented toolkit. Security teams are forced to switch between various consoles and manually correlate findings. Without a unified platform, they experience increased manual effort, delayed incident response, and incomplete visibility into the threat landscape.
What to do instead:
Progressive SOCs consolidate tools into unified platforms. Incident responders can manage alerts, detonate suspicious objects, monitor for threats, and investigate endpoints from one central location. Integrated solutions facilitate seamless data sharing and collaboration across teams, significantly improving efficiency and effectiveness.
| ANY.RUN threat intelligence in one place |
ANY.RUN’s cloud-based malware analysis platform consolidates core SOC functions, allowing incident responders to manage alerts, analyze threats, and investigate endpoints all in one place. Security teams benefit from seamless data sharing, collaboration, and unified visibility into the threat landscape, significantly improving overall efficiency and effectiveness.
By adopting these forward-thinking strategies, SOCs can transform their operations, enabling them to respond to complex threats efficiently and effectively. With enhanced threat detection and increased collaboration, your SOC can focus on what matters most: safeguarding your organization from cyber threats and achieving enterprise-grade incident response.
