Culture of Toxicity in SOCC Support Services. - Security Architect Akamai Employee Review

This issue is specific to the SOCC Support Services domain, as I have firsthand experience in this area. If you are seeking a company that offers a rewarding workplace or a core security role (such as SOCC, web security, etc.), I strongly advise caution before joining this organization. There is a significant disconnect between the job descriptions being promoted and the reality of the role. The SOCC support services function more as a call center job, which is misrepresented as a security position, especially when advertised to security professionals. In reality, the job primarily involves supporting Akamai's customers using Akamai's tools, with little to no focus on actual cybersecurity. Unfortunately, I fell into this situation and discovered that the majority of the team members have backgrounds in call centers, with limited knowledge of cybersecurity. This has influenced the team culture, which is driven by individuals from technical support backgrounds, including managers, senior managers, directors, VP, and SVP. These leaders, having come from tech support roles, shape policies in a manner that reflects this background. Recently, the company has begun hiring cybersecurity professionals, but within this existing tech support culture. These professionals are often misled into believing they are joining for a web security role. When attempts are made to provide feedback or suggest improvements, management tends to respond by placing individuals on performance improvement plans or enforcing related policies. Even when employees attempt to voice their concerns to HR, they are often ignored, similar to what is experienced in many corporate environments. Ultimately, the only remaining option is to resign and serve the notice period. However, even in this process, managers may pressure employees for an early release, threatening to damage their careers by providing negative feedback in the release letter.