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10 OKR examples for Security Operations Team

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What are Security Operations Team OKRs?

The Objective and Key Results (OKR) framework is a simple goal-setting methodology that was introduced at Intel by Andy Grove in the 70s. It became popular after John Doerr introduced it to Google in the 90s, and it's now used by teams of all sizes to set and track ambitious goals at scale.

Writing good OKRs can be hard, especially if it's your first time doing it. You'll need to center the focus of your plans around outcomes instead of projects.

We understand that setting OKRs can be challenging, so we have prepared a set of examples tailored for Security Operations Team. Take a peek at the templates below to find inspiration and kickstart your goal-setting process.

If you want to learn more about the framework, you can read our OKR guide online.

The best tools for writing perfect Security Operations Team OKRs

Here are 2 tools that can help you draft your OKRs in no time.

Tability AI: to generate OKRs based on a prompt

Tability AI allows you to describe your goals in a prompt, and generate a fully editable OKR template in seconds.

Watch the video below to see it in action 👇

Tability Feedback: to improve existing OKRs

You can use Tability's AI feedback to improve your OKRs if you already have existing goals.

AI feedback for OKRs in Tability

Tability will scan your OKRs and offer different suggestions to improve them. This can range from a small rewrite of a statement to make it clearer to a complete rewrite of the entire OKR.

Security Operations Team OKRs examples

You'll find below a list of Objectives and Key Results templates for Security Operations Team. We also included strategic projects for each template to make it easier to understand the difference between key results and projects.

Hope you'll find this helpful!

OKRs to improve Security Operation Centre Incident Response

  • ObjectiveImprove Security Operation Centre Incident Response
  • KRReduce average incident response time by 15%
  • TaskDeploy automated incident detection and response tools
  • TaskTrain team on efficient incident management practices
  • TaskRegularly conduct response time drills
  • KRIncrease team's cyber security certification levels by 30%
  • TaskPlan and allocate budget for necessary certification exams and trainings
  • TaskIdentify current cybersecurity certification levels of all team members
  • TaskEnroll team in targeted cybersecurity training programs
  • KRImplement new incident tracking software with 100% team adoption
  • TaskTrain team on new software usage
  • TaskEvaluate and select suitable incident tracking software
  • TaskMonitor and ensure full team adoption

OKRs to strengthen SOC effectiveness to increase security operations productivity

  • ObjectiveStrengthen SOC effectiveness to increase security operations productivity
  • KRReduce false positive alarms from SOC by 30%
  • TaskImprove analyst training for accurate threat prediction
  • TaskRegularly update and fine-tune security system settings
  • TaskImplement advanced anomaly detection algorithms
  • KRIncrease identification of real threats by 20%
  • TaskImplement advanced threat detection systems
  • TaskConduct regular security awareness training
  • TaskStrengthen information sharing with allies
  • KRImprove SOC response time to threats by 15%
  • TaskConduct regular response time drills for SOC team
  • TaskImplement automated threat detection tools for quicker identification
  • TaskPrioritize high-impact threats for immediate response

OKRs to implement SecOps playbooks for Abnormal security and Code42

  • ObjectiveImplement SecOps playbooks for Abnormal security and Code42
  • KRDesign, test, and implement the Abnormal Security playbook improving threat response time by 25%
  • TaskAnalyze current Abnormal Security playbook for improvements
  • TaskImplement and monitor updated playbook in real-time
  • TaskDesign and test modifications for efficiency
  • KRIdentify and map 10 vital security processes for playbook integration by week 4
  • TaskMap each process and its components
  • TaskIdentify 10 vital security processes for integration
  • TaskEnsure integration within playbook by week 4
  • KRDevelop and enact the Code42 playbook, resulting in a 30% reduction in data loss incidents
  • TaskCreate and refine the comprehensive Code42 playbook
  • TaskImplement and train staff on the Code42 playbook
  • TaskAnalyze existing data loss scenarios and identify potential vulnerabilities

OKRs to full deployment of Ember and Abnormal Security tools in SecOps

  • ObjectiveFull deployment of Ember and Abnormal Security tools in SecOps
  • KRAchieve 100% operational status of both tools within the SecOps ecosystem by Week 12
  • TaskEvaluate current operational status of both tools
  • TaskImplement changes and verify 100% operational status
  • TaskIdentify necessary upgrades or repairs for both tools
  • KRTrain IT team on Abnormal Security and Ember tools by the end of Week 6
  • TaskPrepare materials and resources for the training
  • TaskConduct post-training assessment by end of Week 6
  • TaskSchedule training sessions for IT team on both tools
  • KRInstall and test Ember and Abnormal Security tools in the SecOps environment by Week 8
  • TaskTest both tools for effectiveness and efficiency
  • TaskInstall Abnormal Security tool in the SecOps environment
  • TaskInstall Ember tool in the SecOps environment

OKRs to enhance security operation centre's monitoring tools

  • ObjectiveEnhance security operation centre's monitoring tools
  • KRIncrease tool detection accuracy by 20%
  • TaskEnhance image recognition algorithms for improved tool detection
  • TaskImplement regular system audits and accuracy checks
  • TaskArrange continuous team training for precision calibration techniques
  • KRReduce false positive alerts by 30%
  • TaskConduct regular system accuracy checks
  • TaskReview and refine existing alert parameters
  • TaskImplement improved machine learning algorithms
  • KRImplement at least 2 new, relevant monitoring features
  • TaskDevelop and test new monitoring features
  • TaskIdentify potential monitoring features aligned with business needs
  • TaskDeploy and evaluate the new features

OKRs to enhance SIEM visibility via diversified log monitoring

  • ObjectiveEnhance SIEM visibility via diversified log monitoring
  • KRIncrease log correlation effectiveness by 20% to improve threat detection
  • TaskTrain team on efficient threat detection methods
  • TaskRegularly monitor and adjust correlation rules
  • TaskImplement advanced log correlation strategies
  • KRDetect and add logs from 100% of currently unmonitored network devices
  • TaskIdentify all currently unmonitored network devices
  • TaskImplement logging mechanism on each unmonitored device
  • TaskVerify logs are correctly setup and functioning
  • KRIncorporate 30% more diverse log sources into the SIEM system

OKRs to enhance production security for optimal operation efficiency

  • ObjectiveEnhance production security for optimal operation efficiency
  • KRImplement a secure authentication system reducing security breaches by 30%
  • TaskImplement multi-factor authentication across all platforms
  • TaskRegularly update and test password encryption methods
  • TaskConduct staff training on secure password practices
  • KRConduct weekly vulnerability audits and reduce identified risks by 50%
  • TaskAnalyze audit results to identify potential risks
  • TaskSchedule weekly vulnerability audits for technical systems
  • TaskImplement measures to mitigate identified risks by 50%
  • KRTrain 90% of staff on updated security protocols and practices
  • TaskIdentify staff members who need security training
  • TaskMonitor and record staff training progress
  • TaskSchedule periodic training sessions

OKRs to securely integrate Code42 and Abnormal Security with existing operations

  • ObjectiveSecurely integrate Code42 and Abnormal Security with existing operations
  • KRDevelop, test, and validate 3 playbooks for Abnormal Security integration
  • TaskWrite codes for 3 Abnormal Security integration playbooks
  • TaskValidate the effectiveness and efficiency of each playbook
  • TaskTest the functionality of all 3 playbooks
  • KRDefine and document 3 playbooks for Code42 integration without security breaches
  • TaskEnsure secure procedures are incorporated into guides
  • TaskDocument the integration process explicitly
  • TaskIdentify necessary features for Code42 integration playbooks
  • KRMeasure and ensure 90% of staff are trained on the new playbooks implementation
  • TaskSchedule and conduct training sessions with staff members
  • TaskConduct surveys or tests to confirm 90% staff training completion
  • TaskDevelop extensive training modules for new playbooks implementation

OKRs to upgrade and streamline physical security operations

  • ObjectiveUpgrade and streamline physical security operations
  • KRIncrease security coverage by 20% through additional surveillance systems
  • TaskInvestigate current surveillance system capabilities and limitations
  • TaskImplement new surveillance systems accordingly
  • TaskResearch and identify potential additional surveillance technology
  • KRDecrease response times to security incidents by 25%
  • KRImplement a digital security management system with 100% staff training completion
  • TaskTrack and achieve 100% training completion
  • TaskChoose a comprehensive digital security management system
  • TaskDevelop an all-staff training curriculum for the system

OKRs to effective implementation of DevSecOps in the team

  • ObjectiveEffective implementation of DevSecOps in the team
  • KRAchieve zero high-risk vulnerabilities in new software releases for the quarter
  • TaskConduct regular, comprehensive vulnerability assessments
  • TaskImplement stringent security protocols during software development
  • TaskEnsure timely patching and updates post-release
  • KRTrain 90% of the team on DevSecOps principles and best practices
  • TaskSchedule training sessions for each team member
  • TaskIdentify suitable DevSecOps training programs for the team
  • TaskMonitor progress and ensure completion for 90% of the team
  • KRIncorporate automated security checks into 100% of coding pipelines
  • TaskIntegrate selected automated security checks into all coding pipelines
  • TaskIdentify potential automated security solutions available for coding pipelines
  • TaskRegularly update and maintain the implemented security checks

Security Operations Team OKR best practices

Generally speaking, your objectives should be ambitious yet achievable, and your key results should be measurable and time-bound (using the SMART framework can be helpful). It is also recommended to list strategic initiatives under your key results, as it'll help you avoid the common mistake of listing projects in your KRs.

Here are a couple of best practices extracted from our OKR implementation guide 👇

Tip #1: Limit the number of key results

The #1 role of OKRs is to help you and your team focus on what really matters. Business-as-usual activities will still be happening, but you do not need to track your entire roadmap in the OKRs.

We recommend having 3-4 objectives, and 3-4 key results per objective. A platform like Tability can run audits on your data to help you identify the plans that have too many goals.

Tip #2: Commit to weekly OKR check-ins

Don't fall into the set-and-forget trap. It is important to adopt a weekly check-in process to get the full value of your OKRs and make your strategy agile – otherwise this is nothing more than a reporting exercise.

Being able to see trends for your key results will also keep yourself honest.

Tip #3: No more than 2 yellow statuses in a row

Yes, this is another tip for goal-tracking instead of goal-setting (but you'll get plenty of OKR examples above). But, once you have your goals defined, it will be your ability to keep the right sense of urgency that will make the difference.

As a rule of thumb, it's best to avoid having more than 2 yellow/at risk statuses in a row.

Make a call on the 3rd update. You should be either back on track, or off track. This sounds harsh but it's the best way to signal risks early enough to fix things.

Save hours with automated OKR dashboards

AI feedback for OKRs in Tability

OKRs without regular progress updates are just KPIs. You'll need to update progress on your OKRs every week to get the full benefits from the framework. Reviewing progress periodically has several advantages:

Spreadsheets are enough to get started. Then, once you need to scale you can use Tability to save time with automated OKR dashboards, data connectors, and actionable insights.

How to get Tability dashboards:

That's it! Tability will instantly get access to 10+ dashboards to monitor progress, visualise trends, and identify risks early.

More Security Operations Team OKR templates

We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.

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