When your alert queue seems endless, it might feel like threat intelligence is more of a curse than a blessing. But taking the right approach to it will help increase detection rates without stretching resources thin.

Top-performing SOC analysts don’t necessarily go through more alerts than others; they simply know where to look for reliable data. That’s what allows them to achieve higher results without the need to overwork. They go another way, and so can you.

What Causes Alert Overload in the First Place

It’s a myth that more data equals better efficiency. Thousands of alerts, most of which are false positives, lack of context for prioritization of incidents, and too much manual work: this is a common struggle for many SOCs.

The overwhelm of Tier 1 analysts leads to alert fatigue, as well as unnecessary escalations. The entire team experiences its negative effects: missed alerts, slower MTTR, and burnout across the board. 

To sidestep these challenges, you need a source of intel that works in your favor. It makes all the difference and helps skyrocket detection rates with lesser load.

What to Look for in Threat Intelligence Sources

Threat intelligence sources that stand out are:

• Noise-free

They might provide less data, but if this is the result of filtering, it’s a huge pro, not a con. Fewer false positives mean less work and better focus on real threats.

• Trustworthy

Look for feeds that provide indicators coming from the very core of malicious configurations rather than from third-party sources. This, once again, guarantees that you get reliable information, not outdated and irrelevant info.

• Context-fueled

Not all threat intelligence is made equal. While most feeds provide just a collection of feeds, others feature threat context, which helps accelerate triage by providing a deeper visibility into threats.

• Timely

Delayed alerts are practically useless. The less time it takes for an indicator to make it to the feed, the better. Solutions with real-time updates should be your go-to if you want to stay on top of things.

Analysts Stay Ahead with ANY.RUN Threat Intelligence Feeds

There aren’t many threat intelligence feeds that fit these requirements. Accurate and fresh data with little to no false positives isn’t easy to obtain: it requires access to unique threat data.

ANY.RUN’s Threat Intelligence Feeds are powered by a global network of 15K SOC teams and 500K malware analysts who continuously provide live attack data, which then gets filtered and delivered to users’ systems. This means that every indicator is backed by an actual threat investigation, giving you confidence and real-world insights.

TI Feeds by ANY.RUN keep your systems up-to-date with exclusive IOCs in real time

Detect more threats with less noise and tap into live malware analysis data -> Try TI Feeds in our SOC

The results TI Feeds users see:

• Decreased workload: Indicators from TI Feeds enrich your SIEM, EDR/XDR, and other systems for a smoother workflow. As a result, the case load for Tier 1 analysts lowers by 20%.
• Wider coverage: 99% of IOCs in TI Feeds are unique and can’t be found elsewhere, so you automatically extend your monitoring range.
• Constant updates: No more missed threats and false alerts caused by outdated indicators.
• Actionability: High-confidence threat intelligence fueled with context gives you a hand in classifying and prioritizing alerts for targeted action.

Conclusion 

Analysts increase their detection rates using validated intelligence that enriches their system in real time, shortly after a threat emerges. TI Feeds with wide coverage and deep context supplied by reliable sources give SOC teams an upper hand in triage and cut their workload for better overall efficiency.

The post How SOCs Detect More Threats without Alert Overload appeared first on Cyber Security News.

There’s a moment, right after a new alert hits, when the room holds its breath. Everyone waits for context; is it real, is it noise, is it already too late? 

In those seconds, the difference between an average SOC and a great one is obvious. Some scramble for answers; others move in sync, sharing context fast and turning confusion into clarity before the panic begins.

That level of control doesn’t come from luck but a few simple rules that keep elite SOCs fast, focused, and ahead of the game.

Rule #1: Speed Turns Panic into Precision

Speed changes everything. When threats hit, fast visibility turns chaos into clarity. The faster a team understands what’s happening, the faster it can stop the spread, cut damage, and regain control.

That’s why most modern SOCs rely on cloud-based sandboxes like ANY.RUN to make speed their first line of defense. There’s no need to deploy or maintain virtual machines; analysis launches in seconds, giving teams an immediate look into the full attack chain.

The verdict of most analyses is ready in under 60 seconds, providing actionable insight long before traditional tools even finish scanning. 

For instance, in one recent analysis, a LockBit attack was fully exposed in just 33 seconds; complete with related IOCs, mapped TTPs, behavior details, and process trees.

View LockBit attack exposed fully in 30 seconds

When detection is this fast, panic never has a chance to set in. Teams can shift instantly from reaction to strategy, understanding the threat, planning the response, and staying firmly in control.

Turn speed into strategy; connect with ANY.RUN and see how instant detection powers stronger, faster decisions across your SOC: Talk to ANY.RUN Experts

Rule #2: Threat Detection is a Team Sport

Even the best analysts can’t detect everything alone. When communication breaks down and teams work in silos, critical context slips away; alerts are missed, work gets repeated, and investigations slow to a crawl.

That’s why collaboration has become a core part of modern SOC performance. Inside the ANY.RUN sandbox, the Teamwork feature lets analysts join the same live workspace, share results in real time, and coordinate across roles without switching tools. Team leads can assign tasks, monitor progress, and track productivity; all from a single interface that keeps the team aligned, no matter the time zone.

The result is a SOC that thinks and moves as one. Every analyst knows their focus, every lead sees the full picture, and decisions happen without hesitation. That’s what real teamwork looks like, and that’s how strong threat detection actually happens.

Rule #3: Automate What Slows You Down

Every SOC knows the feeling; too many alerts, too many clicks, not enough time. Analysts lose hours on repetitive actions: opening files, running scripts, clicking through pop-ups, or solving CAPTCHAs just to trigger hidden payloads.

With Automated Interactivity inside the ANY.RUN sandbox, all those steps happen automatically. The system opens malicious links hidden behind QR codes, interacts with fake installers, solves CAPTCHAs, and performs other routine actions; no human input needed. The sandbox handles these interactions on its own, exposing every stage of the attack chain in a fraction of the time.

The benefit? Analysts skip the busywork and jump straight to insight. Faster detection, cleaner data, and more time for the investigations that require human judgment. Automation clears the path for cybersecurity professionals to do their best work, saving enormous time.

Rule #4: Go Hands-On to Expose Hidden Threats

Even the best detection tools miss things. False negatives happen all the time; a file marked “safe” can still hide malicious behavior deep in its code or trigger only under specific conditions.

That’s why elite SOCs never rely on automation alone. When something looks suspicious, analysts dig deeper in an interactive environment, where they can open files, click buttons, follow links, and provoke real behavior in real time. 

Inside the ANY.RUN sandbox, this hands-on control turns static analysis into active discovery, revealing payloads, persistence mechanisms, and hidden network activity that automated scanners overlook.

Automation gives you speed; hands-on gives you certainty. It’s the balance between the two that stops real damage.

Rule #5: Train Analysts Through Real Experience

You can’t train great analysts on theory alone. Real skill comes from seeing how threats behave, testing hypotheses, and learning through direct experience, not static examples or outdated labs.

That’s why modern SOCs use sandboxes to turn real-world incidents into learning opportunities. Inside the ANY.RUN sandbox, junior analysts can safely explore live samples, experiment with behavior, and build intuition that no textbook can teach. 

Meanwhile, through Teamwork Management features, managers can observe progress in real time, tracking how analysts investigate, collaborate, and grow with each session.

The result is faster onboarding, stronger retention, and a team that learns from actual threats instead of simulated ones. It saves both time and training costs while building real, lasting expertise across the SOC.

Build the SOC That Sets the Standard

When these five rules become part of your daily SOC workflow, results follow fast.
Teams that blend automation, collaboration, and hands-on analysis work smarter, with measurable improvements across every tier.

• Up to 58% more threats identified: Detect attacks that bypass standard defenses with interactive analysis and data from 15K+ global businesses.
• 88% of attacks visible within 60 seconds: See live behavior instantly, automate detection, and enrich alerts with key indicators.
• 94% of users report faster triage: Collect IOCs and TTPs, simplify assessments, and act faster with real threat data.
• 95% of SOC teams speed up investigations: Collaborate in real time, handle more alerts, and track performance in one workspace.
• Up to 20% lower Tier 1 workload and 30% fewer escalations: Reduce manual effort, remove hardware costs, and eliminate alert fatigue.

Contact ANY.RUN experts to bring these results to your team and build a SOC that truly sets the standard.

The post 5 Must-Follow Rules of Every Elite SOC: CISO’s Checklist appeared first on Cyber Security News.