What does it take to run a world-class Security Operations Center (SOC) in today’s high-stakes, high-speed cybersecurity landscape?

In this episode of The Packet Forensic Files, Michael Morris sits down with Jessica (Bair) Oppenheimer, Director of Security Operations at Cisco, for an in-depth look inside next-generation SOCs. These SOCS are designed to balance automation with human expertise and deliver the key KPIS that define SOC success.

Featured Topics:

• Behind-the-scenes insights from the SOCs at the Paris 2024 Olympics, NFL Super Bowl, Black Hat, Cisco Live, and RSAC
• What truly defines a “next-gen” SOC—and how it differs from the traditional model
• The essential mix of people, process, and AI-powered tools that drive SOC agility
• How smart automation is enhancing detection, speeding response, and empowering analysts
• The KPIs that matter most for measuring SOC success

Jessica shares real-world stories from some of the most visible SOC deployments in the world, and dives into how Cisco brings together multi-disciplinary teams, unifies visibility across platforms, and enables faster, more informed decisions through automation and context-rich AI.

Who should watch?

This episode is a must-watch for CISOs, SOC leaders, threat hunters, and security analysts looking to:

• Build a unified SOC architecture by integrating SIEM, SOAR and XDR.
• Leverage AI to accelerate detection and response.
• Choose open, interoperable platforms that support third-party integrations.
• Future-proof security stacks for large-scale, high-visibility events.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation and knowledge sharing.

Tune in for a compelling conversation packed with real-world insights, expert strategies, and lessons learned from securing some of the world's most high-profile events.

Sign up to be notified about more expert interviews and tips on securing your network.

Other episodes in the Secure Networks videocast series are available here. Or listen to the podcast here or on your favorite podcast platform.

Follow Jessica on the below links.