From where I sit in talking to security pioneers every day, the traditional Global Security Operations Centre (GSOC) stands at a critical inflection point. Security teams are up against challenges in staffing, operational efficiency, and more threat complexity, which means “thinking outside the box” is becoming critical.
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as more than a buzzword in these situations; it’s becoming a game-changing force multiplier in security operations.
Reaching a breaking point
Today's GSOCs face a perfect storm of operational challenges. Security operators, typically earning between $20-40 per hour, require extensive training periods lasting weeks or months as a result of the numerous applications they’re tasked with using.
Yet the industry grapples with insane turnover rates of 100-% to 300% annually, creating a costly cycle of continuous recruitment and training. Meanwhile, operators are drowning in video feeds and alarms, leading to fatigue, missed incidents, and delayed response times.
Practical applications for AI
The reality of many GSOCs, however, is a disjointed mess of multiple applications
The GSOC is the centre of an organization’s security and in a perfect world, all of the data related to safety across multiple facilities flows through there, giving operators a clear picture of what’s going on at any given time. The reality of many GSOCs, however, is a disjointed mess of multiple applications.
Think about all the platforms needed to respond to a single incident – access control alarm, video to verify, standard operating procedures (SOPs) stored on a shared drive, radios to get a hold of a guard to dispatch, finding a list of emergency numbers and corresponding it to where the incident is happening, and manually logging the results.
Steps into a single platform
Not only is there a case for unifying all of these steps into a single platform that pulls in data from various sources, but layering response with AI-enabled technology to achieve the following:
- Real-time video analysis and threat detection. AI-enabled systems are revolutionising surveillance operations by simultaneously monitoring multiple video feeds, detecting and classifying objects, people, and behaviours in real-time. The technology excels at identifying suspicious activities such as loitering, abandoned objects, or unauthorised access attempts, automatically alerting operators to potential threats – or even identifying false alarms that can take human operators away from the work they’re doing – all while maintaining vigilance across numerous camera feeds.
- Intelligent alarm management. One of AI's most immediate impacts is in addressing the chronic problem of false alarms. By analysing multiple data points simultaneously, AI technology can intelligently filter and verify alerts, dramatically reducing false positives that traditionally consume valuable operator time. An AI GSOC operator, for example, can assess an incoming alarm and either identify it as a real threat (then escalate to its human supervisors) or use SOPs to determine that the alarm is false, providing feedback and reasoning that’s collected and assessed. This intelligent triage ensures security teams focus on genuine threats rather than chasing false alarms, significantly improving response efficiency.
- Automated incident response. When security incidents occur, AI systems can instantly gather relevant data from multiple sources – including video feeds, access control logs, and sensor data – to generate preliminary incident reports and initiate appropriate response protocols. This automation ensures consistent application of security procedures while maintaining detailed documentation for compliance and analysis purposes.
- Predictive analytics and pattern recognition. By analysing historical data, AI systems can identify patterns that might indicate emerging security risks before they materialise. This includes detecting unusual access patterns, anomalies in foot traffic, or behavioural patterns that suggest potential future security threats, enabling proactive rather than reactive security measures.
The benefits to the business
While AI can be used in so many ways to reduce false alarms, create more efficiencies, and help GSOC operators elevate their roles to be more strategic, there is still a stigma associated with its use.
However, a lot of the conversations around this kind of investment can be elevated to reflect positively on the business, which can help achieve more buy-in from leadership. Here are some of the ways:
Operational improvements:
- Dramatic reduction in false alarm rates through intelligent verification systems that analyse multiple data points simultaneously
- Response times cut significantly through automated triage and threat assessment protocols
- Standardised and consistent application of security protocols across all shifts and incidents
- More efficient resource allocation through AI-driven staffing recommendations based on historical patterns
- Expanded security coverage without proportional staffing increases, enabling monitoring of multiple locations simultaneously
- Enhanced incident documentation through automated report generation and data collection
- Improved situational awareness through real-time correlation of multiple data sources
- Reduced training time for new operators through AI-assisted guidance systems
- Better compliance management through automated protocol enforcement and documentation
Business impact:
- Significant cost savings through reduced false alarm response and more efficient staffing
- Decreased liability exposure through comprehensive incident documentation and consistent protocol application
- Enhanced regulatory compliance through automated record-keeping and standardised procedures
- Improved risk management through predictive analytics and early warning capabilities
- Better return on investment for security technology through integrated AI-driven optimization
- Increased scalability of security operations without proportional cost increases
- More robust business continuity through improved threat detection and response
- Enhanced protection of critical assets through constant AI monitoring
Personnel impact:
- Reduced operator burnout through automation of routine and repetitive tasks
- Enhanced job satisfaction as operators focus on strategic decision-making rather than routine monitoring
- Improved work-life balance through more efficient resource allocation
- New career development opportunities in AI-enabled security operations
- Better retention rates through reduced stress and increased job engagement
- Enhanced skill development as operators learn to work with advanced technology
- Improved team collaboration through AI-assisted information sharing
- More effective decision-making support through AI-driven insights
- Greater operator confidence through AI-backed verification of security events
AI and the road ahead
Integration of AI into the GSOC is about more than simply technological advancement
While security historically hasn’t changed as quickly as its cyber counterparts, its evolution is imminent. Integration of AI into the GSOC is about more than simply technological advancement; it’s a seismic shift in how organisations approach security operations.
The future of this is in the partnership between human expertise and AI capabilities, where technology handles routine monitoring and initial threat assessment, allowing security personnel to focus on complex decision-making and strategic security initiatives.
Transformation of security operations
For security pioneers looking to implement AI in their GSOCs, success lies in thoughtful integration that considers both technical requirements and human factors. By carefully balancing automation with human oversight, organisations can create more effective, efficient, and responsive security operations that deliver tangible value to the enterprise.
The transformation of security operations through AI isn't just about doing more with less – it's about doing better with what we have. As threats become more sophisticated and security demands continue to grow, AI-enabled GSOCs will be better positioned to meet these challenges while delivering enhanced protection for people, assets, and operations.