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Cyberbit Readiness Report 2026: Insights and Key Findings

On November 10, 2026, Cyberbit released the Cyberbit Readiness Report 2026, marking a groundbreaking assessment of cybersecurity readiness based on the performance of Security Operations Center (SOC) teams during real-time simulated attacks. This report is built on data from over 1,600 Live-Fire Exercises conducted between January 2025 and June 2026, utilizing the Cyberbit Original and RangeForce platforms. The integrated approach, termed the Cyberbit Readiness Platform, emerges from Cyberbit's acquisition of RangeForce in 2025.

Instead of traditional metrics like courses completed or hours logged, which many organizations rely on, the report focuses on a more relevant query: how effectively can SOC teams detect, counter, and defend against adversaries? Through the Defense Readiness Index (DRI), a system that ranks teams on a scale of 1 to 5 based on the adversary class they can defend against, this report directly measures operational performance.

Key Findings from the Report

1. Team Readiness is Built, Not Hired: Analysis across 19 organizations and 199 analysts indicates that no single person's presence is linked to a significant change in team performance. Both the Cyberbit Original platform and RangeForce demonstrate consistent data trends supporting this finding.

2. Continuous Exercise Improves Performance: Teams that regularly engage in exercises exhibit measurable improvement over time. As organizations advance their SOC maturity, they consistently tackle more complex adversary scenarios, which enhances their detection capabilities at each skill level.

3. Volume of Exercises Alone Doesn't Indicate Readiness: Completing numerous top-tier scenarios does not automatically signify progress. It is vital to track how teams adapt and respond to increasingly sophisticated challenges.

4. Faster Detection with Maturity: During exercises matched for difficulty, 13 out of 18 SOC teams demonstrated quicker detection times in later cycles, indicating improved readiness and response capabilities throughout their practice sessions.

5. Significant Delays Between Detection and Response: The study highlighted a concerning trend where teams lost an average of 71 minutes after detecting an attack before initiating a response. This time frame is critical, as it often determines the outcome of cybersecurity incidents.

6. Variation in Readiness: The median time for detection varied widely across organizations, ranging from 23 to 169 minutes. This inconsistency underscores that averages can mask significant performance disparities between different teams.

In addition to these findings, the report establishes a preliminary baseline for AI application in SOC operations, revealing that AI-centered labs and Live-Fire Exercises attracted approximately 3.2 times more engagement than non-AI content during their initial 180 days.

According to Cyberbit's CEO, David Etue, the insights from this report are crucial for security leaders. He emphasizes, "Readiness is based on a team's collaborative effectiveness under pressure, rather than individual accolades or certifications. The 71 minutes lost between attack detection and action is critical—it's where incidents can be turned around, and organizations must focus on quantifying and closing this gap."

Recommendations for CISOs and SOC Leaders

To better prepare their teams, the report provides actionable insights:

• - For CISOs: Establish a structured readiness program that aligns with the adversaries your organization faces. Monitor performance improvements in detection times over different exercises.
• - For SOC Leaders: Maintain a steady rhythm of team exercises, focus training on relevant tactical threats, and gradually increase the difficulty of scenarios. Regularly rotate analysts through different exercises to foster a collective capability across the team.

In conclusion, the Cyberbit Readiness Report 2026 offers invaluable knowledge for organizations looking to measure and enhance their cybersecurity posture. As threats evolve, so must the strategies employed by SOC teams. This report sets the stage for a new era of data-driven readiness assessments in cybersecurity management. For further details and to download the full report, visit Cyberbit's website.