You have conquered the CompTIA Security+, and now you are starting the job hunt. You are worried that you have no idea how to use SOC Analyst tools or what they are.

This article will cover the top tools used in the SOC and places to get hands-on experience.

Most of these will be from HackTheBox and TryHackMe because I am familiar with the platforms, and they are the leading providers for cheap online labs at the moment.

If you find any other sites with high-quality labs, please let me know. I would love to share them with the world.

When you are working on your plan to get into cyber security, you hear two distinct suggestions for cyber security jobs: help desk or SOC. You can’t study for both positions simultaneously, so what do you do?

In a world that requires certifications for any type of IT role, you must choose a path. You can’t go wrong with either one. But in my experience, one option sets you up for much faster career progression.
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This article will explain why I am a strong proponent of starting in the SOC. I will list the top reasons why I think the security operations center is the best place to begin your journey in cyber security as an entry-level candidate with no experience.

Today's blog is all about last month. Join me as I tell you about what has been happening on the blog and in my life.

As the very first blog in the SOC Analyst series, I thought it would be good to write about what your life may be like as an analyst in the SOC. Most people have no idea what to expect. I know I had no clue when I first started out.

I also think that before you devote yourself to a particular tradecraft, you should know what you are getting into. That way, you go into things with your eyes wide open. This, in turn, helps you understand the why’s behind training recommendations and other advice.

In this blog, you will see underlined terms. These are buzzwords or terminology that you should be familiar with. The words may also come up in an interview or during your workday. At the end, you will see a section on common questions about the role. I did my best to remember what people ask, but feel free to comment with more questions, and I will append them to the article as they come in.
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Join me on this journey into the SOC!