A new report from the SANS Institute has identified lack of enterprise-wide visibility as the top barrier to effective Security Operations Center (SOC) performance. According to the 2026 SANS SOC Survey, 24% of cyber leaders cited limited visibility across security environments as their biggest operational challenge, ranking it ahead of staffing shortages and automation gaps.
The survey, now in its tenth year, gathered insights from 444 security operations professionals and 69 CISOs and senior cybersecurity executives worldwide. The findings highlight persistent challenges in connecting security data, correlating alerts, and enabling faster decision-making across increasingly complex digital environments.
According to the report, organizations continue to invest in multiple security technologies, but integration remains a major concern. Security teams often struggle with fragmented tools and disconnected data sources, making it difficult to gain a unified view of threats and risks.
“Visibility remains the foundation of effective security operations. Without a unified view across the enterprise, even the most advanced tools struggle to deliver meaningful outcomes.” – Christopher Crowley, Senior Instructor, SANS Institute
“Most organizations have the tools, but getting them to work together effectively remains the real challenge,” said Christopher Crowley, author of the annual survey.
The study also revealed a significant disconnect between leadership and frontline security teams. While 59% of cyber leaders believe management adequately supports SOC hiring and retention efforts, only 32% of practitioners agree. This ongoing perception gap suggests that workforce challenges remain a critical issue for many organizations.
Threat intelligence continues to play a key role in security operations, with 74% of cyber leaders using it for threat detection and hunting activities. However, only 26% incorporate threat intelligence into budgeting and strategic investment decisions, highlighting a gap between operational insights and long-term planning.
The report further found that 75% of cybersecurity leaders recognize that technology alone cannot secure organizations without skilled professionals. Yet human capital remains the most frequently cited obstacle to funding cybersecurity priorities.
The findings underscore the need for organizations to improve visibility, strengthen collaboration, and invest in both technology and talent to build more resilient and effective security operations programs.
