Exploring SOC Surveys, AI, and Cybersecurity Trends with Christopher CrowleyIn this episode of the Cyber PMM podcast, I interview Christopher Crowley, a cybersecurity consultant at Montance LLC and instructor at the SANS Institute.
We discuss his extensive +20-year journey in cybersecurity, from high school tape backups to handling major incidents during Hurricane Katrina. Chris delves into his work on the annual SANS SOC survey, revealing key trends in security operations, AI, and the evolving role of SOC analysts. We also explore challenges in implementing AI, the importance of meaningful work in retaining talent, and what the future may hold for SOCs. Product marketers can gain insights into how to better resonate with their target audience in the cybersecurity field.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:31 Early Career and Entry into Cybersecurity
02:41 Challenges and Lessons from Hurricane Katrina
04:36 Transition to Government Contracting and Consulting
05:42 The Role and Impact of IANS
07:05 Deep Dive into Security Operations (SecOps)
07:51 The SANS SOC Survey: Origins and Evolution
14:59 Trends in AI and Technology Satisfaction
19:33 Employee Retention and Work-Life Balance in SOCs
23:35 The Paradox of Automation
24:08 Incremental Improvements in SOC
25:27 Future Vision: AI in SOC
25:59 Three Buckets of AI Integration
28:04 Building Custom AI Tools
34:44 Outsourcing and AI Agents
36:46 Skills Needed for SOC Analysts
39:24 Marketing to SOCs
45:16 Getting Involved in SOC Surveys
47:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
