Integrating BAS into SOC Workflows

The Security Operations Center (SOC) is the heartbeat of an organization’s cybersecurity posture. It’s where alerts are analyzed, incidents are triaged, and threats are neutralized. But even the most well-equipped SOC can suffer from blind spots, alert fatigue, and inconsistent detection coverage.

Aquila I’s Breach and Attack Simulation (BAS) platform addresses these challenges by delivering continuous, automated, and realistic attack scenarios that validate SOC readiness against real-world threats.

By integrating BAS into daily SOC workflows, organizations can:

• Continuously validate detection rules

• Refine incident response processes

• Enhance team readiness

• Map all findings to the MITRE ATT&CK Framework for standardized, actionable analysis
  

Why SOCs Need Continuous BAS Integration

1. Reduce Alert Fatigue

SOC analysts often face hundreds or thousands of alerts daily. BAS helps ensure alerts are high-fidelity and relevant, cutting noise by identifying ineffective or redundant detection rules.

2. Enable Ongoing Realistic Validation

Unlike annual penetration tests or one-off red team assessments, BAS provides continuous testing against evolving attacker tactics—covering scenarios like email security checks, endpoint verification tests, and safe malware simulations.

3. Align with MITRE ATT&CK Tactics

BAS results are mapped directly to MITRE tactics—such as Initial Access, Execution, Persistence, Lateral Movement, and Impact—giving SOCs measurable coverage insights.

Key BAS Scenarios for SOC Integration

• Phishing Simulation Through Secure Email Gateway Tests whether simulated phishing or BEC emails are detected, escalated, and contained.
  

• Endpoint Exploitation Testing Evaluates SOC detection using endpoint verification and safe malware payloads, as well as lateral movement attempts.
  

• Privilege Escalation Detection Checks whether misuse of legitimate credentials (MITRE T1078 – Valid Accounts) is detected promptly.
  

• Ransomware Impact Tests Simulates data encryption attempts to ensure SOC incident response playbooks are triggered without delay.
  

Recommended BAS-SOC Integration Workflow

Step 1 – Define Simulation Frequency

• Daily: Quick phishing & endpoint checks

• Weekly: Specific MITRE technique testing

• Monthly: Full attack chain simulations
  

Step 2 – Feed BAS Alerts into SOC Tools BAS alerts should be indistinguishable from real threats when ingested into SIEM, SOAR, and EDR platforms.

Step 3 – Measure and Record SOC Metrics Track:

• MTTD (Mean Time to Detect)

• MTTR (Mean Time to Respond)

• Playbook Adherence

• False Positive / Negative Ratios
  

Step 4 – Remediate and Retest Once detection rules or IR playbooks are updated, rerun the scenario to confirm the fix works.

Industry Examples

BFSI – Faster Phishing Response A bank integrated BAS phishing tests into SOC operations. Initial MTTD was 4 hours; after 3 months of tuning, it dropped to 30 minutes.

Healthcare – EDR Policy Tuning BAS lateral movement simulations revealed missed detections. SOC tuned EDR policies, increasing detection from 60% to 95%.

Manufacturing – Privilege Escalation Gaps Simulations mapped to MITRE T1021.001 – Remote Services showed that RDP brute force attempts were going undetected. Logging and detection rules were updated immediately.

Best Practices for BAS-SOC Integration

• Run BAS Across All Shifts – Day, night, and weekend coverage matters.

• Map All Findings to MITRE – Maintain clear coverage visibility.

• Combine with Red Teaming – Validate complex gaps through human-led red team testing.

• Establish a Feedback Loop – Use findings for ongoing SOC analyst training.

• Prioritize by Business Risk – Address gaps impacting critical assets first.
  

Challenges and How to Overcome Them

• Integration Complexity – Work with your BAS provider for seamless SIEM/SOAR integration.

• SOC Analyst Resistance – Present BAS as a training tool, not a performance audit.

• False Sense of Security – Use BAS alongside threat hunting and adaptive red teaming.
  

The Future of BAS in SOCs

• AI-Generated Threat Scenarios – Simulations created dynamically from the latest threat intelligence.

• Automated SOAR Remediation – BAS findings triggering instant containment workflows.

• Micro Secure Vision Dashboards – Live visual mapping of SOC coverage and readiness.
  

Conclusion

Integrating Aquila I’s BAS into SOC workflows transforms operations from reactive to proactive. It ensures SOC teams are continuously tested, validated, and prepared for even the most advanced threats.

From phishing gateway bypass simulations to endpoint exploitation tests and privilege escalation detection, BAS gives SOCs the intelligence needed to close gaps before attackers can exploit them.

Make BAS a core part of your SOC’s daily rhythm. Book a Live BAS-SOC Integration Demo with Aquila I and ensure no alert, threat, or incident slips through the cracks.