Next Steps After Graduating From A Cybersecurity Boot Camp

Last week, I wrote about graduating from Northwestern University’s six month Cybersecurity Boot Camp at the beginning of March 2021. The program was equal parts challenging and rewarding, teaching me so much about online security that I didn’t know before I began the program.

Now that the boot camp is over, I’m continuing my cybersecurity studies and efforts in a number of ways, outlined below.

Pursuing SOC Analyst Roles

The cybersecurity program focused on tools like Wireshark, Splunk, the Elk Stack, and more. As such, I’m applying to SOC Analyst roles. As proof of my knowledge when it comes to monitoring logs, setting alarms, and more, two project reports from my time in the boot camp can be found below:

Assessment, Analysis, and Hardening of a Vulnerable System: My report from a Red Team vs. Blue Team project where I perform both roles, attacking a machine and then analyzing the log results of the attack.

Attack, Defense & Analysis of a Vulnerable Network: The final project from the boot camp. The report was a group project, with all members contributing to entire report. My assigned section was slides 18–20, focusing on strategies for avoiding detection in a red team attack.

Coursera Training: AWS Cloud + Google IT

To continue my tech education, I’m working through the Google IT Support Professional Certificate and the AWS Fundamentals Specialization, both on Coursera. The IT program is to continue strengthening my fundamentals in advance of future security roles. The AWS specialization, meanwhile, connects to my goal of working towards a position in cloud architecture/security.

Studying For The Security+

I’m currently studying to take the Security+ exam this summer. As such, I’m studying for the exam utilizing the CompTIA CertMaster Practice for Security+. I’m also watching Professor Messer’s SY0–501 CompTIA Security+ training course videos, and spending time with security-focused books, articles, podcasts, and more.

Preparing To Build My Virtual Lab

My next big project is developing my own virtual lab to test my security methods. I’m currently in the research and planning stages. I’m looking into resources like AWS Well-Architected Labs, the Building a Home IT Lab course on LinkedIn Learning, the Build Your Own Cyber Lab at Home course on Udemy, and more. Additionally, I am reading Building Virtual Machine Labs: A Hands-On Guide, by Tony Robinson. As I move forward with my lab, I will document my progress at this blog

Attending Networking Events + Virtual Meetups

Finally, I’m attending virtual events focused around security, the cloud, CTF, and more on platforms like MeetUp and LinkedIn, among others. One of the advantages of the Northwestern Boot Camp is the program’s Career Services department offers weekly career webinars, offering networking and continued learning opportunities.

Have suggestions on other training I can pursue or other next steps I should pursue? Or have an opening for an entry level SOC Analyst role? Get in touch on LinkedIn!