FOMO in the SOC: Where AI Platforms Like Claude Actually Fit

The rapid evolution of AI is creating pressure on security leaders to adopt AI tools, but not all AI is suited for every task. This article clarifies the distinct roles of AI platforms like Claude, Cursor, and Codex versus autonomous AI SOC systems in modern security operations.

Security operations are structured in three layers: existing security tools (SIEM, EDR, etc.) generate alerts; an autonomous AI SOC investigates every alert automatically, correlating findings and escalating only what needs human attention; and AI platforms assist analysts in writing detections, summarizing incidents, and making decisions. The key is that AI platforms are designed to help people, not to investigate thousands of alerts at scale. Using them for every alert would be inefficient and costly due to token consumption—each investigation requires extensive context, leading to prohibitive expenses as alert volume grows.

An autonomous AI SOC addresses this by combining deterministic workflows, cached context, and selective AI reasoning, making it possible to investigate all alerts continuously while keeping costs predictable. For organizations relying on MDR providers, the MDR typically owns the investigation workflow and data, limiting the ability of AI platforms to independently investigate. Autonomous AI SOCs can sit alongside existing tools, retaining organizational context and enabling a path toward owning investigations.

Analysis of over 25 million alerts in 2025 showed that nearly 1% of confirmed incidents originated from low-severity alerts, emphasizing the need to investigate all alerts, not just the loudest. Once an autonomous AI SOC handles the grind, AI platforms become invaluable for higher-value work: asking questions about investigations, drafting detection rules, hunting threats, and generating reports. The conclusion is that organizations need both—machines handle repetitive investigation while humans focus on strategy and judgment.

The article also promotes a webinar by Intezer’s CEO and CMO, offering a CISO Guide for Incorporating AI in the SOC.