How to Become a SOC Analyst (Without Wasting Time)

So, You want to become a SOC Analyst, but you're probably wondering.

"Do I need a degree? What skills do I actually need? How do I get real experience without a job?"

These are legit concerns, and the truth is, while you don’t need a formal degree, you do need hands-on skills and the ability to think like an attacker to stop them effectively.

Here’s a guide to getting started, starting with my latest video on the Top 5 Cybersecurity Courses for Beginners:

Step 1: Know What a SOC Analyst Actually Does

Being a SOC Analyst isn't about staring at screens all day. 

Your job is to spot, investigate, and stop cyber threats before they cause damage.

💡 What you'll be doing every day:

1. Digging through security alerts (logs, SIEM data, anomalies) to separate real threats from noise.

2. Investigating attacks like phishing, brute-force attempts, and malware infections.

3. Isolating compromised machines before the infection spreads.

4. Proactively hunting for threats that haven't even been detected yet.

5. Writing up incident reports (yes, it matters—security teams rely on them!).

🚀 Want to see what this looks like in action? Check out the TryHackMe SOC Learning Path for hands-on labs.

Step 2: Get Hands-On With Security Tools

You won't get hired by just reading about cybersecurity. You need to practice with real tools.

🔧 Must-know tools and how to start using them:

• SIEM (Splunk, ELK Stack, Microsoft Sentinel) → Download Splunk Free Edition and analyze security logs.

• Packet Analysis (Wireshark) → Capture and inspect network traffic to spot attacks in progress.

• Security Monitoring (Security Onion) → Set up your own home lab and simulate real threats.

🚀 Not sure where to start? Follow my step-by-step Home Lab guide and build your own SOC environment.

Step 3: Solve Real Cybersecurity Cases

The best way to learn? Investigate real attacks.

1. Brute Force Attack: Check failed login logs, track the attacker's IP, and stop them.

2. Phishing Investigation: Analyze suspicious emails, check sender domains and flag scams.

3. Ransomware Response: Identify malicious processes, isolate infected machines, and prevent further damage.

🎯 Want real practice? Work through real-world attack scenarios on TryHackMe SOC Labs.

Step 4: Choose Your Training Path

There are two ways to break into cybersecurity, go hands-on or follow a structured learning path.

🔹 Option 1: Hands-On First (Free Resources)

1. TryHackMe SOC Labs → Investigate cyberattacks.

2. Security Onion & Splunk Free → Set up your own security lab.

🔹 Option 2: Follow a Structured IT Career Path

1. Work Your Own IT Ticketing System → Get experience handling security alerts like a real SOC team.

Step 5: Get Certified (But Don't Rely Only on Certs)

Certifications help, but they're not a magic ticket to a job. Think of them as proof that you know your stuff.

• CompTIA Security+ – Covers cybersecurity basics.

• BLT1 Certification – Focused SOC training.

• Splunk Core Certified User – Useful if you want to specialize in SIEM tools.

💡 Tip: Pair your cert with real-world experience (home labs, CTFs, security internships) to stand out.

Step 6: Think Like a SOC Analyst

At the end of the day, SOC Analysts don't just react to alerts—they decide what to do next.

• Triage & prioritize threats – Not every alert is urgent; learn to spot real risks.

• Simulate real-world attacks – Hands-on practice beats theory.

• Map cyberattacks using MITRE ATT&CK – Understand hacker techniques so you can stop them.

🚀 Train like one. Think like one. Then, you'll become one.

See you in the SOC.

-Sandra.