Security Operations Centre (SOC) Design: Best Practices & Key Considerations

Our Approach to Designing Security Operations Centres

When we talk about building a Security Operations Centre (SOC), our starting point is always the same:

The people who will operate it.

Over the years, we have designed and delivered a wide range of SOC environments, from compact control rooms to large, multi-operator centres with expansive video walls, and one lesson remains consistent.

Technology alone does not make a SOC effective. The space must be designed around the operator, their workflows, and the tools they rely on every day. A well-designed SOC supports long periods of concentration, enables fast decision-making, and allows operators to work efficiently under pressure.

This operator-first mindset shapes every stage of our design process, from layout and ergonomics, to system integration and long-term flexibility.

Designing the Space Around the Operator

Key questions to consider when designing an operator-focused SOC:

• How long will operators remain at their desks during a typical shift?

• Does the workspace reduce fatigue and support long-term alertness?

• Are ergonomics treated as a performance requirement rather than a comfort upgrade?

Ergonomics and Comfort

It is important to remember that operators may spend 8 to12 hours at a workstation, often in low-light environments. From Stilo's perspective, ergonomics are therefore non-negotiable.

Sit-stand desks allow operators to vary posture throughout a shift, reducing fatigue and improving concentration.

Adjustable monitor arms, supportive seating, and correct desk heights all contribute to long-term wellbeing and performance.

Lighting should be carefully controlled. Indirect, dimmable lighting helps avoid glare on screens while maintaining sufficient ambient light to reduce eye strain.

In the SOCs we design, this element is typically delivered by the Stilo Audio Visual team, who work closely with operators to ensure lighting supports both comfort and visibility in a screen-heavy environment.

Layout and Line of Sight

Common questions organisations ask at this stage include:

• Where should a video wall be positioned in a Security Operations Centre?

• How far should operators sit from a video wall?

• Can desk-mounted screens block visibility of shared displays?

The physical layout of the SOC should support both individual focus and team collaboration, while maintaining clear and usable sightlines to shared displays. Through our experience, we have encountered many SOCs where video walls are either positioned too close to operators or rendered ineffective because desk-mounted screens are set too high, unintentionally blocking the view.

If operators cannot naturally see the video wall without adjusting posture or craning their necks, the wall quickly becomes underutilised.

Poor sightlines reduce the value of what is often a significant investment.

Sit-stand desks can play an important role in addressing this challenge. When correctly planned, they allow operators to adjust their working height throughout a shift, improving both visibility to the video wall and overall comfort. This flexibility also supports changing operational needs, such as briefings or collaborative incident response.

Beyond sightlines, there is a growing requirement for the average office worker to stand regularly throughout the day. In a SOC environment, encouraging regular posture changes helps reduce fatigue, supports long-term health, and maintains alertness during extended monitoring periods.

Workstations are best arranged in gentle arcs or tiered layouts, allowing supervisors to oversee activity while remaining accessible to operators.

Video Walls: Purpose Over Presence

Before installing a video wall, it is worth asking:

• What information should be shown on a SOC video wall?

• Does the video wall support decision-making or simply display data?

• Will operators realistically use the wall during day-to-day operations?

Large multi-screen video walls can be highly effective, but only when used with intent.

These elements are also managed and specified by the Stilo Audio Visual team, who ensure monitor selection, resolution, brightness, and layout are optimised for 24/7 operation.

The key question to ask is simple: What decision does this information support?

The Tools Operators Need to Do Their Job

Video Management Systems (VMS)

Frequently asked questions around VMS in SOC environments include:

• What is the best Video Management System for a Security Operations Centre?

• How quickly can operators access live and recorded footage?

• Can video events be linked directly to alarms and incidents?

At the heart of most SOCs is a robust Video Management System. Operators rely on VMS platforms for live monitoring, incident review, and evidence export. Ease of use is critical, intuitive interfaces, fast camera call-up, and efficient search functions directly impact response times.

Camera layouts, presets, and alarm-linked video events should be configured to match operational workflows, not just technical capabilities.

Access Control Systems

Common access control questions include:

• How should access control be monitored in a SOC?

• Can operators quickly identify who is in a building during an incident?

• How are access alarms prioritised to avoid alert fatigue?

Access control is another core pillar of SOC operations. Operators must be able to quickly verify who is in a building, respond to unauthorised access attempts, and support lockdown or evacuation procedures when required.

The effectiveness of access control monitoring depends heavily on how clearly events are presented to the operator. Alarm prioritisation, visual cues, and clear location context all reduce the risk of missed or misinterpreted alerts.

Integration: One Interface, One Picture

Search-driven questions many organisations ask include:

• Can video management and access control be integrated into one interface?

• Is it possible to manage multiple security systems from a single platform?

• How does system integration improve SOC response times?

One of the most common challenges in SOC environments is system fragmentation. When operators are forced to switch between multiple platforms, VMS, access control, intrusion detection, fire systems, situational awareness suffers.

Integrating systems into a single operational interface can significantly improve efficiency and decision-making.

A unified platform allows operators to see video, access events, and alarms within the same workflow, reducing response times and training complexity.

Platforms from Advancis are designed to support this type of integration, acting as a central command layer that brings disparate systems together. By correlating events across VMS and access control systems, operators gain a clearer, more actionable picture of what is happening in real time.

A True Multi-Disciplinary Approach

Building a Security Operations Centre is one of the few projects where all of Stilo’s departments and offerings come together.

From Audio Visual specialists managing lighting, monitors, and video walls, to workspace design, systems integration, and security technology expertise, every discipline plays a critical role.

A successful SOC cannot be delivered in silos. Early collaboration between teams ensures the physical environment, operator workflows, and underlying technology are aligned from day one.

Designing for the Future

A perfect SOC is not just designed for today’s requirements, but for tomorrow’s challenges.

Flexibility should be built into both the physical space and the technology stack. Modular furniture, scalable video walls, and open integration platforms allow the SOC to evolve as threats, regulations, and operational needs change.

Our Perspective

From our experience, the most effective Security Operations Centres are those where space, technology, and people are considered as a single system.

By designing environments around operator wellbeing, visibility, usability, and by integrating core technologies such as VMS and Access Control into a unified operational interface, organisations can move beyond impressive looking control rooms to SOCs that genuinely perform.

For us, SOC projects are where all of Stilo’s capabilities come together.

Audio Visual, workspace design, and systems integration work in parallel to deliver environments that are practical, scalable, and built for real-world security operations.

The result is a SOC that not only meets today’s requirements, but is ready to adapt as operational demands evolve.