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Security Operations Center (SOC) Analysts play a crucial role in defending organizations against cyber threats. This structured 6-week plan will help you build foundational skills, gain hands-on experience, and prepare for a career in cybersecurity.
Week 1: Networking & Security Fundamentals
- Learn TCP/IP, OSI model, subnetting, and common protocols (HTTP, DNS, FTP).
- Practice with Wireshark to analyze network traffic.
- Study firewalls, IDS/IPS, and VPNs.
You Should Know:
Capture network traffic with tcpdump sudo tcpdump -i eth0 -w capture.pcap Analyze with Wireshark wireshark capture.pcap Check open ports with netstat netstat -tulnp
Week 2: Operating System Security (Linux & Windows)
– Understand Linux file permissions, user management, and logging.
– Explore Windows Event Viewer and PowerShell for security auditing.
You Should Know:
Check logged-in users in Linux who Audit file permissions ls -la /etc/passwd Windows Event Log filtering Get-WinEvent -LogName Security -MaxEvents 10
Week 3: Threat Detection & SIEM Tools
- Learn Splunk, ELK Stack, or IBM QRadar.
- Practice log analysis and correlation rules.
You Should Know:
Search logs in Splunk index=main "Failed login" Simulate a failed login (Linux) echo "Failed login attempt" >> /var/log/auth.log
Week 4: Incident Response & Malware Analysis
- Study malware behavior and memory forensics.
- Use tools like Volatility and YARA.
You Should Know:
Scan for malware with ClamAV sudo clamscan -r /home Dump process memory (Linux) gcore -o dump <PID>
Week 5: Ethical Hacking & Vulnerability Assessment
- Learn Nessus, Nmap, and Metasploit.
- Perform vulnerability scans and penetration tests.
You Should Know:
Nmap scan for open ports nmap -sV -p 1-1000 target.com Run a basic Nessus scan nessuscli scan --target 192.168.1.1
Week 6: SOC Workflows & Threat Hunting
- Simulate SOC scenarios with Splunk or ELK.
- Practice writing incident reports.
You Should Know:
Hunt for suspicious processes (Linux) ps aux | grep -i "malicious" Check for unusual cron jobs crontab -l
What Undercode Say
Becoming a SOC Analyst requires hands-on practice. Use virtual labs (TryHackMe, Hack The Box) to reinforce skills. Automate repetitive tasks with scripting (Python/Bash) and stay updated on emerging threats.
Expected Output:
- A structured learning path with practical commands.
- Hands-on experience in log analysis, threat detection, and incident response.
- Preparedness for SOC interviews and real-world cybersecurity challenges.
References:
Reported By: Dharamveer Prasad – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
