Fear, Firewalls, and Fast Breakouts—Inside Today’s Threat Landscape

In this episode of Beyond the Horizon, hosts Hilda Colon and Will Ledesma unpack the latest findings from the State of the SOC report. Drawing on decades of frontline cybersecurity experience, they explore the evolving threat landscape—from the unrelenting rise of ransomware to the growing complexity of cloud-based attacks. The conversation dives deep into the data: 500,000 alerts in just three months, 83,000 escalations, and a staggering 8-minute breakout time for some threats.

They also examine the human side of cybersecurity, and how emotional responses, fear-based tactics, and organizational inertia can undermine even the best defenses. The hosts share real-world war stories, including a recent “art of fear” attack that weaponized open-source intelligence to trigger panic without breaching a single system.

AI’s role in the SOC is front and center, with insights into how automation is accelerating detection, reducing analyst fatigue, and reshaping the balance between human judgment and machine speed. Whether you're a CISO, analyst, or just cyber-curious, this episode offers a sharp, honest look at what’s changing—and what’s coming next—in the world of security operations.

Key Talking Points

• Key findings from the 2025 State of the SOC report
• Ransomware remains dominant, with 2,684 cases in 3 months
• Cloud attacks now make up 44% of threats—up from 30% last year
• The rise of “fear-based” attacks using fake screenshots and OSINT
• AI’s role in accelerating detection and reducing analyst burnout
• The “Layer 8” problem: human resistance to disruption
• Hybrid environments and the risks of misaligned identity controls
• Zero trust: powerful in theory, difficult in practice
• SOC automation sweet spot: 70% AI, 30% human
• Real-world story: AI found 3 more IOCs in seconds vs. 60 minutes manually

Want the full picture?
The insights shared in this episode are just the beginning. Dive deeper into the data, trends, and expert analysis shaping the future of cybersecurity in the full 2025 State of the SOC Report. Whether you're leading a security team or just trying to stay ahead of the curve, this report is your essential guide to what’s happening inside today’s Security Operations Centers. Click here to download

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