Cybersecurity Professional Career Paper: SOC Analyst
Student Name: William Beiser
School of Cybersecurity, Old Dominion University
CYSE 201S: Cybersecurity and the Social Sciences
Instructor Name: Diwakar Yalpi
Date: 11\/16\/2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst is one of the most critical roles in
cybersecurity. SOC analysts monitor networks, investigate suspicious activities, and protect
organizations from cyberattacks. While the job seems purely technical, professionals in this field
rely heavily on ideas from the social sciences. Concepts from sociology, psychology,
criminology, and even communication studies help SOC analysts understand human behavior,
how attackers think, and how different groups in society experience cybersecurity risk. This
paper explains how SOC analysts apply social science principles in their everyday work, the
impact of this role on marginalized groups, and the interactions between SOC analysts and
society.
Even though SOC analysts deal with computers, the root of cyberattacks is almost always
human behavior. Attackers employ psychological methods, such as social engineering, to
deceive employees into clicking on harmful links or divulging sensitive information. For this
reason, SOC analysts must understand psychology and human decision-making. For example,
research indicates that individuals are more likely to click on phishing emails when they are
stressed, distracted, or under pressure from authority figures (Cybersecurity & Infrastructure
Security Agency, 2023). Knowing this helps SOC analysts design better warnings, reports, and
training programs for employees.
SOC analysts also utilize criminology, particularly theories that explain why people
commit crimes. Rational choice theory posits that criminals, including cybercriminals, act when
the reward is high and the risk of detection is low (Holt & Bossler, 2022). SOC analysts utilize<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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this understanding to strengthen systems, making attacks seem too risky for offenders. They also
use routine and behavioral pattern studies to predict when attacks are more likely to occur, such
as during holidays or late-night hours.
Another central area of social science that SOC analysts rely on is communication.
Analysts must write clear reports, explain complex threats to non-technical audiences, and
collaborate with IT teams, managers, and law enforcement. Clear communication helps prevent
misunderstandings and keeps organizations safe.
SOC analysts use data analysis methods similar to those used by social science
researchers. They collect data, including login attempts, network traffic, and user behavior
patterns. They look for trends and anomalies the same way social scientists examine survey
results. SOC analysts also make hypotheses, such as predicting whether a suspicious login
attempt is an attack and test them using evidence.
They also use qualitative analysis, especially when interviewing employees about
phishing attempts or studying attacker behavior reported in cybersecurity journals. This blend of
quantitative and qualitative methods reflects common research strategies in the social sciences.
Cybersecurity affects marginalized groups differently. People with limited digital
literacy, older adults, immigrants, and low-income workers are more vulnerable to online scams
and identity theft (Anderson, 2021). SOC analysts play a role in protecting these groups by
creating training that is easy to understand, accessible, and culturally sensitive. They may also
notice patterns showing that specific communities are targeted more by scammers, allowing the
organization to respond more fairly and responsibly. This shows that SOC analysts do not just
protect computers, they help protect people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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SOC analysts contribute to society by helping businesses, governments, hospitals, and
schools stay safe from cyberattacks. When SOC analysts prevent breaches, they protect people\u2019s
private information, financial stability, and even physical safety. In a world where almost
everything depends on technology, their work supports social trust and reduces fear of online
threats.
A SOC analyst is much more than a technical job. It requires understanding people,
effective communication, human behavior. Social science plays a significant role in helping SOC
analysts predict attacks, investigate threats, and communicate with different groups. Their work
also supports and protects marginalized communities that face greater cybersecurity risks. By
blending technology with social science, SOC analysts help create a safer and more secure
digital world for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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References
Anderson, R. (2021). Security engineering: A guide to building dependable distributed systems
(3rd ed.). Wiley.
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. (2023). Security tip: Avoiding social
engineering and phishing attacks. https:\/\/www.cisa.gov
Holt, T. J., & Bossler, A. (2022). Cybercrime and digital forensics: An introduction. Routledge.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Cybersecurity Professional Career Paper: SOC AnalystStudent Name: William BeiserSchool of Cybersecurity, Old Dominion UniversityCYSE 201S: Cybersecurity and the Social SciencesInstructor Name: Diwakar YalpiDate: 11\/16\/2025 A Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst is one of the most critical roles incybersecurity. SOC analysts monitor networks, investigate suspicious activities, and protectorganizations from cyberattacks. While the job seems purely technical,… <\/p>\n