42% of Saudi Companies Build SOC for Enhanced Cybersecurity with Human Expertise Focus
A new study reveals that SOC cybersecurity Saudi initiatives are gaining momentum, with 42% of companies in the Kingdom establishing Security Operations Centers to strengthen their cybersecurity posture. Despite growing demand for automated solutions, businesses continue to rely heavily on skilled security professionals for critical decision-making, highlighting the essential role of human expertise in effective security management.
Primary Drivers for SOC Implementation in Saudi Arabia
The comprehensive study by Kaspersky, spanning 16 countries including Saudi Arabia, identified key motivations for SOC establishment. Budget optimization leads at 52%, followed by the need for faster detection and response at 47%, and better protection of confidential information at 47%. Additionally, 42% cite the expansion of software, endpoints and user devices as a driving factor, while 39% aim to meet regulatory requirements.
The research involved senior IT security specialists from companies with 500 or more employees who currently operate without a SOC but plan to establish one soon. Larger enterprises tend to cite these reasons more frequently, reflecting broader operational and regulatory pressures they face in today’s threat landscape.
Continuous Monitoring Emerges as Top SOC Requirement
Among planned SOC functions, 24/7 security monitoring leads at 53% in Saudi Arabia. This around-the-clock vigilance enables early anomaly detection, prevents escalation, and maintains cyber resilience in real time. The demand highlights strategic requirements for proactive risk management against persistent threats.
Organizations planning to fully outsource SOC operations show stronger interest in applying “lessons learned” methodologies, while those developing internal SOCs focus more on access management to maintain tighter control over security operations.
Human Expertise Drives Technology Selection
Technology choices reveal the critical importance of human analysts in SOC operations. Planned solutions include Threat Intelligence Platforms (53%), Endpoint Detection and Response (31%), and Security Information and Event Management systems (31%). While these sophisticated solutions automate data collection and reduce operational load, they depend heavily on skilled security professionals for context, interpretation, and final decision-making.
“To successfully build a SOC, companies must prioritize not only the right mix of technology but also the careful planning of processes, clear goal-setting and effective resource distribution. Well-defined workflows and continuous improvement are essential to ensure that human analysts can focus on critical tasks,” comments Roman Nazarov, Head of SOC Consulting at Kaspersky.
Roman Nazarov, KasperskyEnterprise-Scale SOC Solutions and Future Outlook
Large enterprises adopt more technologies per SOC (5.5 on average) compared to smaller organizations (3.8). Additional solutions include Extended Detection and Response (41%), Network Detection and Response (43%), and Managed Detection and Response (44%). The trend indicates growing sophistication in SOC implementations across the Kingdom, with human expertise remaining central to effective cybersecurity operations.
