Security Operations Center Design Best Practices

Rest here, weary traveler. Much has been written about Security Operations Centers (SOCs)—often generated by AI and lacking real-world insights into designing or improving the physical space of a SOC. If you’re looking for generic advice on cyber security, you can start (here)

Or, if you are working for a giant network infrastructure company like SolarWinds and you are looking for a server password, I would suggest anything but “solarwinds123”.

Cyber security is as important in 2025 as it’s ever been

Technology vs. People in SOCs

The success of a Security Operations Center (SOC) isn’t just about advanced cybersecurity tools—it’s about the operators who use them. Even the most sophisticated software can’t deliver peak performance if the physical design of the SOC creates distractions, discomfort, or inefficiencies. Thoughtfully designed workspaces and control room consoles are essential for maintaining operator focus, supporting rapid decision-making, and enhancing situational awareness. This article explores how the physical layout of SOCs—along with the ergonomics and functionality of security consoles—can create an optimized environment for 24/7 operations in GSOCs and other mission-critical settings.

Types of Security Operations Centers (SOCs)

Not all SOCs are the same. Depending on their function, SOC design varies significantly. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types:

Regardless of the type, SOC design needs to consider factors such as operator fatigue, technology placement, and ergonomic workstations to ensure smooth 24/7 operations.

Key Challenges in SOC Design

Operators in PSOCs (Physical SOCs) and Digital SOCs face similar design challenges:

1. Long shifts & night rotations
2. High-stakes, real-time decision-making
3. Multiple screens & complex workflows

Ignoring these challenges results in operator fatigue, slow response times, and a less effective SOC. From this perspective, the design challenges around technology and ergonomic furniture are relevant to both SOC types.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)

Do you want your security guards to have a very short and direct path to confront someone that comes in the door, or do you want to put a desk between the door and the security guard to give them an extra split second of reaction time before a potential physical conflict could occur? In other words, does the space need to be defensible? For more on how the physical design of the space can reduce or prevent crime, see The International CPTED Association (ICA) – Primer in CPTED – What is CPTED?. The principles Natural Surveillance, Territoriality, and Access Control are particularly relevant for the design of PSOCs.

Workstation & Command Console Design in SOCs

A well-designed SOC workstation should:

1. Minimize distractions for better focus.
2. Ensure proper sightlines for GSOC operators and analysts.
3. Support multiple displays without clutter.
4. Use ergonomic seating to reduce fatigue.

In these types of PSOC environments, special considerations need to be made for how workstations are set up. The information needs to be displayed in such a way that the SOC operators can interact with the public, see the CCTV and security information that they need to without allowing full view of that same information to the public.

There are also security operation centers where the guardroom isn’t separated from the “public space” by a window or door. Questions about the design and placement of the furniture within the space are even more important when access is less restricted by the architecture.

Each SOC design should be tailored to the mission—there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution to perfectly marry support products and services to the Security challenges.

The Biggest SOC Mistake: Leaving Furniture for Last

We joke within our sales team that our biggest competitor for SOC furniture is the folding table. It’s a funny anecdote, but it underlies a real issue for many SOC designers. SOCs are often designed for a pre-existing (sometimes repurposed) space; the budget is tight, and there is a limited window of time to make the space operational. When the SOC is approaching the “go live” date, and the budget is nearly expended, the furniture is often the scope that suffers.

Why? Because SOCs are often built in pre-existing spaces, and by the time the project nears completion, the furniture budget is exhausted. The result?

1. A makeshift temporary table becomes a permanent fixture
2. Poorly positioned screens that lead to eye and neck strain.
3. Security teams squeezed into poorly planned spaces that weren’t built with them in mind.

How to Avoid This Mistake