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Security Operations

Monitor, detect, and respond to security threats in real-time. The frontline of cyber defence.

Security Operations is the most common entry point into cybersecurity. SOC teams are the 24/7 defence layer that monitors an organisation's environment, detects threats, investigates alerts, and coordinates incident response. This pathway suits people who thrive under pressure, enjoy investigative work, and want to be at the sharp end of cyber defence.

Career Progression

SOC Analyst (Tier 1)

ENTRY $60k - $90k AUD

Experience: 0-2 years

Monitor security alerts, triage incidents, and escalate critical events. The entry point for most cybersecurity careers.

Day-to-Day:

  • Monitor SIEM dashboards for alerts
  • Triage and classify security events
  • Escalate confirmed incidents to Tier 2
  • Document incident details and actions taken
  • Perform initial containment actions

Key Skills: SIEM Operations Log Analysis Alert Triage Incident Classification Network Fundamentals

Certifications: CompTIA Security+ CompTIA CySA+ Splunk Core Certified User

Common Tools: Splunk QRadar Microsoft Sentinel CrowdStrike ServiceNow

SOC Analyst (Tier 2)

MID-ENTRY $90k - $120k AUD

Experience: 2-4 years

Investigate escalated incidents, perform deeper analysis, and coordinate response activities.

Day-to-Day:

  • Investigate escalated security incidents
  • Perform packet capture analysis
  • Conduct basic threat hunting
  • Write incident reports
  • Mentor Tier 1 analysts

Key Skills: Deep Packet Analysis Malware Triage Threat Hunting Incident Investigation Forensic Basics

Certifications: CompTIA CySA+ GCIA BTL1

Common Tools: Wireshark Volatility YARA Elastic SIEM TheHive

SOC Engineer

MID $120k - $150k AUD

Experience: 3-6 years

Build and maintain the SOC's technical infrastructure, detection rules, and automation workflows.

Day-to-Day:

  • Develop and tune detection rules
  • Integrate new log sources into SIEM
  • Build SOAR playbooks for automated response
  • Maintain SOC tooling and infrastructure
  • Optimise alert fidelity

Key Skills: Detection Engineering SIEM Administration SOAR Automation Log Source Integration Use Case Development

Certifications: Splunk Enterprise Certified Admin GSOM CISSP

Common Tools: Splunk ES Palo Alto XSOAR Sigma Rules Elasticsearch Python

SOC Manager

SENIOR / LEADERSHIP $150k - $190k AUD

Experience: 6+ years

Lead the SOC team, define processes, manage stakeholders, and ensure operational effectiveness.

Day-to-Day:

  • Lead and develop the SOC team
  • Report security posture to leadership
  • Define and refine SOC processes
  • Manage vendor relationships
  • Oversee major incident response

Key Skills: Team Leadership Incident Management Stakeholder Communication Metrics & Reporting Process Development

Certifications: CISSP CISM GSOM

Common Tools: PowerBI Jira Confluence SIEM platforms GRC tools

Transition Opportunities

From Security Operations, common career transitions include:

  • To Security Engineering: Leverage SOC tooling knowledge to build and architect security infrastructure
  • To Digital Forensics: Deepen investigative skills into forensics and advanced incident handling
  • To Threat Intelligence: Move from reactive detection to proactive threat research
  • To Detection Engineering: Specialise in building the detection logic that powers SOC operations
  • To Management: Progress into security leadership through the SOC Manager track