Fundamental Techniques in Cybersecurity Networking

A Honey Badger Being Interviewed

Fundamental Techniques in Cybersecurity Networking

Hello my badgers. This article was written with my ideas and the fastness of Claude. Which, I would suggest. In our experience, it's better at everything, but can't do image generation. I also use MidJourney for image generation and then Canva for edits.

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Before diving into where to go and what communities to join, it's crucial to understand how to actually connect with people in a way that builds genuine, lasting relationships. These principles aren't about manipulation - they're about genuinely caring for others and creating mutual benefit. This is Fundamental Techniques in Cybersecurity Networking.

Building Positive Connections:

• Don't criticize, condemn, or complain, as this puts people on the defensive

• Give honest and sincere appreciation rather than empty flattery

• Arouse in others an eager want by showing how something benefits them

• Become genuinely interested in other people rather than trying to get them interested in you

• Smile genuinely, as it creates warmth and approachability

• Remember that a person's name is the sweetest sound to them in any language
  

Effective Communication:

• Be a good listener and encourage others to talk about themselves

• Talk in terms of the other person's interests rather than your own

• Make the other person feel important, and do it sincerely

• Avoid arguments, as you can't win them - even if you prove someone wrong, you make them feel inferior

• Show respect for others' opinions and never tell someone they're wrong directly
  

Maintaining Relationships:

• If you're wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically

• Begin conversations in a friendly way rather than being confrontational

• Let others feel that ideas are theirs rather than forcing your perspective

• Try honestly to see things from the other person's point of view

• Be sympathetic to others' ideas and desires

• Let others save face when they make mistakes

• Praise every improvement, even small ones, and be generous with encouragement

The core philosophy throughout is to focus on understanding and genuinely caring about others rather than manipulating them, building relationships based on mutual respect and benefit. AND benefit (give back!)

Get yourself to meetups at least twice a month. Look for DEF CON groups in your area - these are some of the most welcoming communities you'll find, and the presentations are often mind-blowing. 2600 meetings happen in most major cities and they're perfect for beginners who want to understand the hacker mindset. OWASP chapter meetings are gold mines for web security folks - you'll learn about vulnerabilities before they hit the mainstream. And speaking of OWASP, you'll likely be quizzed about the OWASP Top 10 in maybe about half of SOC analyst interviews, so do take the time to set up OWASP WebGoat or some other exploitable lab machine. It's kind of wild when you think about it - with few minor changes, we've had most of the same top 10 vulnerabilities for 20 years. SQL injection, cross-site scripting, broken authentication - these issues keep showing up because developers keep making the same fundamental mistakes. BSides conferences are fantastic - they're like mini DEF CONs with a local flavor and incredibly practical talks. ISC2 and Cloud Security Alliance chapters tend to be more corporate-focused but give you great insights into enterprise perspectives and compliance requirements. Don't overlook hackerspaces and makerspaces either - the hands-on culture there aligns perfectly with cybersecurity, and you'll often find the most creative problem-solvers.

The key is to be genuinely curious and authentic. Go because you want to learn, not because you want something from people. There's likely a community near you, and it's imperative that you show up and get along with people. 73% of true entry level positions are on-site, so you MUST go. Bring a notepad - an actual physical notepad - and don't be shy about asking for contact information. The notepad itself makes you memorable because it shows you're serious about learning and following up. When you pull out that pen and paper to write down someone's email address, it creates a moment that sticks in their memory way more than just exchanging business cards or LinkedIn contacts. Follow up about a week later with genuine small talk about something you discussed. Ask how their project is going, or share an interesting article related to your conversation. Give something interesting. The networking happens naturally when you're genuinely interested in what others are doing and sharing. The communities around these parts are incredibly welcoming and helpful. People genuinely want to share knowledge and help others succeed. There's something really refreshing about that in today's world.

How to Get Involved in Cybersecurity Communities

DEF CON Groups

• What they are: Local chapters of the famous DEF CON hacker conference community

• How to find them: https://defcon.org/html/links/dc-groups.html

• What to expect: Monthly meetups with presentations, hands-on workshops, and social events
  

2600 Meetings

• What they are: Monthly meetups for hackers and security enthusiasts, inspired by the 2600 magazine

• How to find them: https://www.2600.com/meetings/

• What to expect: Informal gatherings in public spaces, discussions about technology and security
  

OWASP Local Chapters

• What they are: Local chapters focused on web application security

• How to find them: https://owasp.org/chapters/

• What to expect: Regular presentations on web security, networking with application security professionals
  

BSides Conferences

• What they are: Community-driven information security conferences

• How to find them: http://www.securitybsides.com/w/page/12194156/FrontPage

• What to expect: One or two-day conferences with talks, workshops, and networking
  

(ISC)² Local Chapters

• What they are: Professional chapters for certified information security professionals

• How to find them: https://www.isc2.org/Chapters

• What to expect: More formal meetings focused on professional development and certification
  

Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) Chapters

• What they are: Focused on cloud computing security best practices

• How to find them: https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/chapters/

• What to expect: Enterprise-focused discussions on cloud security challenges
  

Local Hackerspaces

• What they are: Community-operated physical spaces where people can learn and work on projects

• How to find them: https://wiki.hackerspaces.org/List_of_Hacker_Spaces

• What to expect: Hands-on learning, maker culture, often with cybersecurity-focused groups
  

Makerspaces

• What they are: Similar to hackerspaces but often more mainstream and family-friendly

• How to find them: Search "makerspace near me" or check https://www.makerspaces.com/

• What to expect: Access to tools, workshops, and a community interested in building and learning
  

Getting Started Tips:

• Most groups welcome beginners - don't be intimidated

• Check Meetup.com for local cybersecurity groups not listed above

• Follow groups on social media to get a feel for their culture before attending

• Many groups have online communities (Discord, Slack) you can join first

• Bring business cards if you have them, but the notepad approach works even better

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