What Every Aspiring SOC Analyst Should Know

 

When I started my cybersecurity journey, I quickly realized that being a Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst isn’t just about learning a few technical skills—it’s about developing the mindset of a digital detective. SOC Analysts are the first line of defense in cybersecurity, monitoring threats, investigating incidents, and responding to cyberattacks in real-time.

But where do you even begin? I’ve been diving deep into the skills needed for this role, and here are some must-haves that every beginner should focus on:

1. Understanding Networking – The Foundation of Cybersecurity

Before you can protect a network, you need to understand how it works. At first, networking felt like a foreign language, but breaking it down into smaller parts helped. Learning how data moves through networks, what protocols like TCP/IP, DNS, and HTTP do, and how attackers exploit them is crucial.

What I’m using to learn:

Cisco’s Introduction to Networking

TryHackMe’s Network Fundamentals

YouTube tutorials for hands-on practice

2. Getting Comfortable with Windows & Linux

SOC Analysts often work with both Windows and Linux, so I knew I had to get comfortable with both. I started learning basic Linux commands (like ls, cd, grep), and I was surprised at how powerful the command line is. On the Windows side, event logs and PowerShell scripting are key for security tasks.

How I’m practicing:

Playing OverTheWire (Bandit) for Linux command-line practice

Using TryHackMe’s Windows Fundamentals room

3. Learning How to Analyze Logs & Use SIEM Tools

Logs are like a digital paper trail—they tell the story of what happened on a system. SOC Analysts analyze logs to detect suspicious activity, but sifting through thousands of log entries can be overwhelming. That’s where SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) tools like Splunk and ELK Stack come in.

My approach to learning logs & SIEM:

Watching Splunk Fundamentals 1 free training

Taking TryHackMe’s SOC Level 1 room for hands-on experience

4. Understanding Cyber Threats & Incident Response

The more I learn, the more I realize that cyber threats aren’t just about hacking tools—they're about strategy. Attackers follow certain patterns, and learning about the MITRE ATT&CK framework, cyber kill chain, and Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) has helped me understand how to think like an attacker.

My go-to learning resources:

TryHackMe’s Cyber Threat Intelligence room

Reading threat reports from security companies like Cisco & CrowdStrike

5. Scripting & Automation – Making Life Easier

I used to think that scripting was for programmers, but I’ve come to see how valuable Python and Bash are in cybersecurity. Even writing a simple script to filter logs or automate a security task can make a huge difference in a SOC Analyst’s daily work.

How I’m learning to code for cybersecurity:

Following Automate the Boring Stuff with Python

Practicing small Python projects related to security

6. Soft Skills Matter More Than I Thought

At first, I thought cybersecurity was all about technical skills, but I quickly learned that critical thinking and communication are just as important. SOC Analysts don’t just find security issues; they explain them to teams and write reports for management. Developing the ability to analyze problems, think logically, and communicate findings clearly is key.

How I’m improving these skills:

Practicing writing security summaries

Engaging in cybersecurity discussions on LinkedIn

It’s a Journey, Not a Sprint

Learning these skills takes time, and I remind myself that every expert was once a beginner. Some days feel overwhelming, but I keep pushing forward because I know the effort is worth it. Cybersecurity is an ever-changing field, and that’s what makes it exciting.

If you’re on this journey too, what skills are you working on right now?