Understanding and Combating SOC Analyst Burnout

In today’s threat landscape, SOC analysts are facing increasingly complex demands. They’re responsible for handling an overwhelming volume of alerts, often working around the clock to protect against evolving cyber threats. Unfortunately, the toll of this high-stress environment has led to significant challenges in the industry: burnout, mental fatigue, and difficulty retaining skilled professionals. These factors have made building a sustainable and engaged SOC workforce a pressing challenge for many organizations.

At Ontinue, we recognize these industry-wide struggles and have taken deliberate steps to address them. Our approach centers on fostering a healthier, more productive environment where analysts can thrive and deliver their best work.

Key Strategies to Support and Retain SOC Analysts

• Workload Management

We prioritize balancing incident response demands with time for growth. Each analyst spends up to 20% of their time on professional development and project work, allowing for continuous learning that combats burnout. This approach not only sharpens their skills but also keeps the work varied and engaging.

• No Night Shifts

For our 24/7 global coverage, we’ve adopted a “follow the sun” model with three geographically distributed SOC teams (APAC, EMEA, AMER). This eliminates the need for night shifts. This structure supports a healthier work-life balance for our analysts, who can count on consistent, restful sleep and predictable schedules.

• Flexible Remote Work Options

We believe the daily commute can drain energy and productivity, so we offer remote work options and flexible schedules tailored to our analysts’ needs. This flexibility enables them to work from environments where they feel most comfortable and focused.

• Filtering, Tuning, and Automation

To reduce the cognitive load on our SOC analysts, we’ve fine-tuned our alerting systems to filter out repetitive false positives. By automating routine investigations, we allow analysts to focus on complex and meaningful cases, which keeps their work engaging and impactful.

• Training and Development Opportunities

We’re committed to our team’s professional growth. Ontinue supports certifications, training, and conference attendance and even provides bonuses for specific certifications. This ensures that our analysts remain at the forefront of cybersecurity while feeling valued for their dedication to learning.

• Recognition of Performance

Acknowledging exceptional performance is a core part of our culture. We celebrate great performance with internal contests and awards, recognizing our SOC analysts’ hard work and dedication.

• Competitive Compensation and Career Growth

We ensure our compensation packages are highly competitive and offer clear pathways for advancement within our Cyber Defense Center. Our analysts know they are the first to be considered for promotions, allowing them to envision a rewarding long-term career with Ontinue.

Building a Sustainable SOC Culture

By implementing these practices, we aim to create an environment where SOC analysts feel valued, supported, and empowered. A culture that supports analyst well-being translates to stronger security outcomes and a more resilient organization. For us, understanding the demands our analysts face is essential to providing them with a sustainable and rewarding career.

By implementing these strategies, we aim to create a positive and sustainable work environment for our SOC analysts, enabling them to perform at their best and contribute to our overall company goals.