
By Ivan Melekhin
Many organizations, expecting seamless cybersecurity, invest in Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) and Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) platforms. However, these tools often fall short of their potential without the right expertise, processes, and resources.
The result? Organizations face ongoing vulnerabilities, frustrated teams, and escalating costs—all while threats continue to evolve. Below, we explore common pitfalls and practical steps to build a cybersecurity strategy that works.
Below, we outline common challenges organizations face and how Managed Threat Detection and Response (MTDR) can offer a more effective solution.
Challenge 1: Misplaced Trust in Tools Alone
Why It’s a Problem:
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- The Promise of “All-in-One” Solutions: SIEM and SOAR tools are marketed as comprehensive threat detection and response solutions. Many organizations assume that purchasing these tools will automatically solve their cybersecurity challenges, overlooking the complexities of implementation and integration.
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- Over-reliance on Automation: Automation offers efficiency but is no substitute for human expertise. Tools can’t analyze the nuances of an alert, adjust for changing threats, or interpret context without skilled professionals guiding them.
- Over-reliance on Automation: Automation offers efficiency but is no substitute for human expertise. Tools can’t analyze the nuances of an alert, adjust for changing threats, or interpret context without skilled professionals guiding them.
How to Solve It:
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- Pair Tools with Expertise: Tools are enablers, not standalone solutions. Organizations should prioritize hiring or partnering with experts who can fine-tune configurations, create actionable workflows, and reduce false positives.
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- Focus on Outcomes: Instead of being swayed by flashy features, ensure that every tool aligns with your specific security objectives, such as faster detection or reduced risk exposure.
- Focus on Outcomes: Instead of being swayed by flashy features, ensure that every tool aligns with your specific security objectives, such as faster detection or reduced risk exposure.
Challenge 2: Unrealistic Expectations and Misaligned Goals
Why It’s a Problem:
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- Compliance vs. Security: Many companies implement SIEM and SOAR to meet compliance mandates rather than enhance their security posture. This checkbox mentality leads to rushed implementations and incomplete deployments.
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- Underestimating Complexity: SIEM and SOAR tools require ongoing maintenance and expertise to remain effective. Without proper resources, these systems often generate noise instead of actionable insights.
How to Solve It:
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- Set Realistic Expectations: Achieving meaningful results takes time, resources, and expertise. Managed Threat Detection and Response (MTDR) services can provide the necessary expertise to fast-track results.
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- Audit and Adjust Goals: Regularly review your security goals to ensure tools, processes, and outcomes are aligned.
- Audit and Adjust Goals: Regularly review your security goals to ensure tools, processes, and outcomes are aligned.
Challenge 3: Implementation Pitfalls
Why It’s a Problem:
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- Lengthy Deployment Timelines: SIEM and SOAR tools often take months or even years to deploy and integrate fully. During this time, organizations may remain vulnerable to threats.
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- Skill Gaps and Misconfigurations: Without experienced security professionals, organizations struggle to fine-tune these systems. Misconfigured tools generate overwhelming alerts, preventing teams from separating real threats from background noise.
How to Solve It:
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- Standardize and Simplify: Work with experts who can streamline the implementation process. Managed service providers like Theos offer ready-made frameworks to reduce complexity and improve efficiency.
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- Invest in Training or Managed Services: Equip your team with the skills to manage these tools or outsource to a trusted partner who can handle configurations and alert triage effectively.
- Invest in Training or Managed Services: Equip your team with the skills to manage these tools or outsource to a trusted partner who can handle configurations and alert triage effectively.
Challenge 4: Hidden Costs and Neglected Priorities
Why It’s a Problem:
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- Ballooning Costs: The total cost of ownership for SIEM and SOAR tools often exceeds initial budgets due to customization, staffing, and maintenance expenses.
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- Tool Overlap: Many organizations purchase multiple overlapping tools, leading to unnecessary complexity and wasted budgets.
How to Solve It:
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- Adopt a Consolidated Approach: Avoid tool sprawl by selecting solutions that integrate seamlessly and address specific gaps. A well-managed MTDR service can provide comprehensive coverage without requiring multiple tools.
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- Budget for Long-Term Needs: Plan for ongoing costs, including skilled personnel, tool upgrades, and regular audits, to avoid unexpected financial strain.
- Budget for Long-Term Needs: Plan for ongoing costs, including skilled personnel, tool upgrades, and regular audits, to avoid unexpected financial strain.
Challenge 5: When Organizations Turn to MSSPs
Why It’s a Problem:
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- Operating in Crisis Mode: After months or years of struggling with poorly implemented tools, organizations often find themselves unprepared for escalating threats or burned-out teams.
How to Solve It:
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- Be Proactive, Not Reactive: Instead of waiting for tools to fail, consider partnering with a managed service provider from the start. Experienced providers like Theos Cyber offer end-to-end solutions, combining technology, people, and processes for faster results.
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- Reassess Tools and Processes: Work with experts to evaluate your setup and identify opportunities to optimize, replace, or consolidate tools.
- Reassess Tools and Processes: Work with experts to evaluate your setup and identify opportunities to optimize, replace, or consolidate tools.
The Role of Managed Threat Detection and Response in Cybersecurity Success
A well-implemented Managed Threat Detection and Response (MTDR) service addresses the challenges of SIEM and SOAR by integrating technology with expert oversight and efficient processes. MTDR solutions are designed to:
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- Detect threats faster with pre-tuned detection rules and AI-driven insights.
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- Minimize false positives by pairing automation with human expertise.
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- Enable rapid response through well-defined playbooks and expert intervention.
- Enable rapid response through well-defined playbooks and expert intervention.
Organizations partnering with providers like Theos Cyber gain access to ready-made infrastructure, proven workflows, and a team of skilled professionals delivering results from day one.
Final Thought: Focus on Outcomes
Effective cybersecurity isn’t about the tools—it’s about the results. Prioritize protection, detection, and response, and ensure your approach integrates technology, people, and processes. Organizations can build a stronger, more resilient cybersecurity posture by shifting the focus to outcomes.
Ready to move from chaos to control? Overcome the challenges of SIEM and SOAR. Partner with THEOS for expert-driven Managed Threat Detection and Response.
Visit our Managed Threat Detection and Response page to learn more about how we can help you integrate cutting-edge technology with expert oversight for effective threat management. Don’t wait for threats to escalate—take proactive steps today!