What is a SOC and Why Does Threat Intelligence Matter?

A Security Operations Centre, or SOC, is the core component of an organisation’s cybersecurity defences. An SOC is a dedicated unit internal, outsourced, or hybrid responsible for monitoring, detecting, analysing, and responding to cybersecurity incidents around the clock. SOC analysts use various tools and processes to correlate data from different sources, investigate anomalies, and mitigate threats in real-time.

However, even the most advanced SOC cannot perform effectively in a vacuum. It needs context. This is where threat intelligence comes in. Threat intelligence is the process of gathering, analysing, and interpreting information about current and potential threats. It helps organisations make informed security decisions, anticipate attacks, and improve their incident response strategies. For SOCs, threat intelligence is indispensable, it adds relevance, speed, and depth to their day-to-day operations.

But threat intelligence comes in many forms. Two of the most critical categories are tactical and strategic threat intelligence.

Tactical Threat Intelligence: Real-Time Context for Fast Action

Tactical threat intelligence provides immediate, actionable information that can be used by SOC analysts, security engineers, and intrusion detection systems. It is operational in nature, focusing on the how of an attack, such as the indicators of compromise (IOCs), Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs), malware hashes, suspicious IP addresses, and domain names.

This type of intelligence is often machine-readable and integrated directly into security tools like SIEMs (Security Information and Event Management systems), firewalls, and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions. Tactical threat intelligence allows SOCs to automate alert generation, accelerate incident triage, and block known malicious activity with speed.

For example, a tactical feed might alert the SOC to a newly discovered phishing domain associated with a specific Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) group. The SOC can immediately block that domain across its network and look for evidence of past interactions with it.

Tactical intelligence is essential for:

• Day-to-day SOC operations
• Rapid threat detection
• Automated response mechanisms
• Technical investigation of incidents

However, tactical intelligence has limitations. It is often short-lived and context-specific. Indicators can quickly become outdated as threat actors shift infrastructure or shroud their methods. Without deeper understanding, teams can fall into a reactive posture, dealing with symptoms but not root causes.

Strategic Threat Intelligence: The Big Picture for Informed Decisions

Strategic threat intelligence, on the other hand, is designed for executive leadership, CISOs, and high-level decision-makers. It offers a broader view of the threat landscape, taking into account geopolitical factors, threat actor motivations, industry trends, and long-term risk assessments. The goal of strategic intelligence is not to block a specific IP address but to influence security planning, budget allocation, and organisational priorities.

Example: A strategic report might analyse an increase in ransomware attacks targeting the healthcare sector, link it to financially motivated Eastern European groups, and suggest that organisations in this sector should invest in business continuity planning and endpoint resilience.

Strategic intelligence is typically derived from a wide range of sources, open-source intelligence (OSINT), dark web monitoring, human intelligence (HUMINT), and third-party research. It is less about real-time alerts and more about long-term insight.

It helps organisations:

• Prioritise security investments
• Adjust risk management strategies
• Understand emerging threats
• Influence policy and compliance efforts
• Build resilience beyond technical controls

But strategic intelligence isn’t useful for responding to an alert at odd hours. It must be paired with tactical feeds to translate high-level insights into operational relevance.

Which Intelligence Type Does a SOC Need Most?

The short answer is: both. However, the balance depends on the maturity and objectives of the SOC, as well as the organisation’s risk profile.

For a newly established or tactical-focused SOC, the priority should be integrating high-quality, up-to-date tactical intelligence into its detection and response workflows. The ability to rapidly identify and respond to known threats is foundational. Tactical intelligence can be used to enrich alerts, reduce false positives, and improve Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) and Mean Time to Respond (MTTR).

As the SOC matures, strategic intelligence becomes more valuable. It helps SOC managers understand which threat actors are most likely to target their organisation, anticipate how attack methods are evolving, and tailor their defences accordingly. For example, if strategic intelligence shows that hacktivist groups are likely to target organisations in your sector due to political events, you can proactively strengthen defences against data leaks and website defacements.

Importantly, strategic intelligence also informs SOC roadmaps, deciding whether to invest in cloud-native security tools, adopt threat-hunting capabilities, or establish a stronger incident response playbook.

In many modern SOCs, a fusion of tactical and strategic intelligence is built into daily workflows. A tactical indicator may trigger an alert, which prompts a review of strategic reports on relevant threat actors. The combination allows analysts to understand not just what happened, but why and what to do next.

How to Get the Balance Right

To maximise the value of threat intelligence, SOCs must tailor their approach based on specific criteria. Important questions that security teams must ask themselves include:

• Business priorities: What assets are most critical to your operations? What threats could cause the most damage?
• Regulatory environment: Are there compliance requirements that require visibility into certain threats?
• Available resources: Do you have a threat intelligence team, or rely on automated feeds?
• Industry trends: Are new threats emerging in your sector that require early warning?

In many cases, organisations benefit from working with external threat intelligence partners who can deliver both tactical feeds and strategic advisory services. This helps ensure continuous coverage, contextual insight, and expert guidance especially in sectors facing evolving or complex threats.

Aligning Intelligence with SOC Objectives

To operate effectively, a SOC needs more than just alerts, it needs context, direction, and foresight. Tactical threat intelligence equips SOC teams with the real-time information necessary to detect and respond to threats quickly. Strategic threat intelligence, meanwhile, provides the bigger picture that shapes security decisions and ensures long-term resilience.

Rather than choosing one over the other, SOCs should aim to integrate both types of intelligence in a way that matches their mission, maturity, and risk landscape. Doing so will not only improve incident response and detection but also enable smarter, data-driven security planning across the organisation.

Not sure where to start with threat intelligence integration? Contact Rewterz today for a tailored assessment. Our experts can help you determine the right mix of tactical and strategic intelligence for your SOC, streamline detection workflows, and ensure your organisation stays ahead of evolving threats.

Connect with Rewterz to build a smarter, more resilient security operation together.