How to Become a SOC Analyst

How to Become a SOC Analyst

Hi, I'm Tyler Wall — CEO and Founder of Cyber NOW Education.

My journey into cybersecurity started the way many do: as a mischievous preteen messing around with things I probably shouldn't have been. As the chaos of those teenage years faded, I found myself sitting on a real set of skills with no clear direction for them. So I did what made sense — I turned them into a career. This is How to Become a SOC Analyst.

I studied at DeVry University for my undergraduate degree and went on to earn my Master's from Purdue, but much later into my career. My first job out of school was at a helpdesk, where I spent eight months learning the ropes. On my own time and with very little money to spare, I scraped together enough to study for and pass both my Network+ and Security+ certifications. It was a stretch financially, but it paid off. That investment landed me my first SOC role as a Network Security Analyst at Dell SecureWorks, and my career in cybersecurity took off from there.

I share this not to impress you, but to be straight with you: breaking into cybersecurity has never been easy. No matter what anyone has told you, the fundamentals haven't changed. The Common Body of Knowledge that underpins this field is largely the same as it's always been.

What has changed is how you get hired. Networking has always mattered, but today it matters more than ever. AI tools have flooded hiring managers with thousands of nearly identical applications, making the process nearly unmanageable. As a result, many have shifted almost entirely to word-of-mouth hiring. Showing up to local meetups and getting your face known in the community is no longer optional — it's essential. And a word of caution: it's rare to land your first job through an online connection alone, and even rarer for that first role to be fully remote. Expect a cubicle, at least part of the week.

So where does Cyber NOW Education fit in?

We offer an informal, engaging learning environment built around courses you'll actually want to watch — edutainment designed to build real skills without the snooze factor. Pair that with our cybersecurity culture store, and we're here to help you not just learn the craft, but live it.

I would like to take a moment to speak to each of the four entryways into SOC analyst directly: Recent Graduates

Your degree gets you in the door, but it won't close the deal. Hiring managers are wary of graduates who chose cybersecurity purely for the salary with no genuine interest in the field — that's the reputation you're up against. Lead with the projects you worked on in school, use your university's career services to polish your resume, and come to interviews ready to talk about what you actually enjoyed. Experience with commercial enterprise tools is hard to come by at this stage, and employers know that — so passion and curiosity are your differentiators.

IT Professionals

You're in the best position of any background here. Your existing experience in networking, systems, or infrastructure maps directly onto cybersecurity domains, and that overlap is your biggest selling point. Rewrite your resume through the lens of the ISC2 CISSP domains to highlight relevant skills. Just go in with eyes open: an entry-level SOC role may come with a pay cut and a reset on the certifications treadmill. Only make the move if you genuinely like cybersecurity — because if you don't, you'll struggle to do it well.

Autodidacts

This is the hardest path to employment, but the one most likely to produce exceptional long-term talent. The challenge is that a resume full of self-directed learning is hard to verify. The solution is visibility. Get a bug bounty on your resume, contribute to open-source projects, write a blog, attend conferences and meetups, and build relationships on LinkedIn. You'll likely need someone on the inside to pull your resume from the pile. Plan to do a lot of work for free before you build the reputation that commands a paycheck — but passion can't be taught, and that gives you a durable edge.

Veterans

You have access to more resources than you might realize — CyberCorps scholarships, FedVTE's 800+ hours of free training, and communities like VeteranSec. The Skillbridge program is especially valuable, letting you intern at a company during your final 180 days of active duty while keeping your military pay. The biggest pitfall to avoid: over-relying on certifications. Many veterans chase credentials without building the hands-on, practical skills that actually get you through a technical interview. Certifications open doors, but experience keeps you in the room.

The Bottom Line

Experience trumps everything. If you have it, let it do the talking. If you don't yet, your job is to build a case through projects, community involvement, education, and the people willing to vouch for you. Learn the rules of the game, figure out what makes you valuable to an employer, and build your brand from there.

How to get experience?

Mostly FREE Projects, Projects, Projects.

The Rosetta Protocol is one of our signature storyline capture the flag that takes you through the time of pharohs. Other storyline capture the flag exercises that are captivating are Neurocracked which is a scifi thriller about a time in the future people were issued brain implants for their assigned jobs like employment chips and people's implants are getting hacked, and earn your certificate by competing in the Helix Wars, a time in the future where babies were cloned and ordered out of catalogs and it was illegal to procreate naturally.

AI for Cybersecurity with labs is one of our most popular projects where it takes you through a series of juniper notebooks teaching you behind the scenes of AI.

What are some SOC analyst projects our original set of projects for SOC Analyst NOW! the course.

Cloud Serverless Labs an entryway into cloud computing using serverless technology.

Azure Cybesecurity Labs our most popular cloud security projects.

How to make a honeypot in 30 minutes is a really popular project too!

Understanding the Cybersecurity Career Landscape

Cybersecurity is a broad field that encompasses various roles, from network security to penetration testing, risk assessment, and compliance. More than just technical skills, a successful career in this domain often requires critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, advanced reading and writing, and a willingness to keep learning.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment in cybersecurity roles to grow by 31% from 2019 to 2029, far faster than the average for all occupations. It is interesting to note that today, we do not see growth, but our perspective is short-term. According to the authority on labor statistics, a long-term increase in cybersecurity is still expected.

As cyber threats evolve, the demand for qualified professionals rises, making now an excellent time to consider this career path. I believe advancements in human labor and Artificial Intelligence can meet these challenges together.

Educational Pathways

While some roles may require specific degrees, many entry-level positions do not. Here are some recommended paths to take:

1. You may pursue an associate's degree in information technology or cybersecurity. Alternatively, universities offer specialized bachelor’s and master’s programs focusing on cybersecurity. Stick to public brick-and-mortar institutions, and typically, Computer Science degrees are more conducive to entry-level positions in cybersecurity. Computer Science degrees are very technical, whereas many Cybersecurity programs teach high-level policy that you won't use for many years. If you must choose an online school, WGU has a good reputation, and you'll come out of the program with something. It's cheap. It is a public institution. Avoid private online schools.

   
   

2. Industry-recognized certifications can validate your skills to potential employers. Start with certifications such as CompTIA Security+.

   
   

3. Cyber NOW Education offers affordable courses on cybersecurity fundamentals. These can be a great way to acquire knowledge without committing to a full-time degree program or supplementing formal learning.

   
   

Start a SOC Analyst Career with No Experience

Experience is essential, but can be gained even without a formal job in cybersecurity.

1. Explore internships that provide hands-on experience in the field. Internships often lead to full-time positions and help you build a network.

   
   

2. Many organizations, especially non-profits, seek individuals to assist with their cybersecurity needs. This can be an excellent way to gain real-world experience.

   
   

3. Create a Medium blog and document your cloud-based projects. Medium is best because it has a built-in audience of millions of Tech people, and its SEO is really fantastic. Your name will become searchable on Google. Careful what you comment because those get indexed as well. Just be supportive of everyone and seldom critical.

   
   

4. Participate in capture-the-flag (CTF) competitions. These events simulate real-world scenarios and allow you to develop and showcase your skills. Focus more on CTF programs that require you to work on a team. Less TryHackMe, more CCDC or similar.

   
   

Networking in the Cybersecurity Community

Building a professional network can significantly help your career.

1. Online forums such as Reddit’s cybersecurity subreddits or specialized groups on LinkedIn can provide valuable insights and networking opportunities.

   
   

2. Consider attending cybersecurity conferences and workshops. Events like OWASP, DEF CON Groups, 2600, ISACA, ISC2, Makerspaces, Hackerspaces, and local meetups can connect you with industry professionals and potential employers.

   
   

3. Follow influential figures in cybersecurity on X, Mastodon, or LinkedIn. There is a significant presence of cybersecurity professionals on both X and Mastodon for less formal discussions. LinkedIn is typically reserved for formal debate. Engaging with their content can keep you updated on industry trends and job openings. Dave Kennedy from TrustedSec is a good name to follow if you want to see what a humble beginning in cybersecurity could turn out to be. Taimur Ijlal of Cloud Security Guy has a YouTube channel, a Medium blog, and a Substack, and he also creates courses for us. Gladys Ijih of Cyber Potential regularly posts jobs. John Strand and Jason Blanchard of Black Hills Information Security have quite a few resources. You might like Krebs, though he is more of a controversial, polarized character these days. Also, I am on LinkedIn.

   
   

Is Cybersecurity a 9-5 Job?

While many cybersecurity positions may operate within standard business hours, the nature of the field often requires flexibility. Cybersecurity professionals may be on call during off-hours to respond to security breaches or system failures. Many companies require security teams to monitor networks continuously.

As a SOC analyst, if you work at an MSSP, you'll be customer-facing and take inbound calls. These positions typically are not on call. SOC analysts who work at an internal SOC at a medium-sized company are generally on call. Internal SOCs at large companies usually aren't on call.

Researching Job Opportunities

When you feel ready to enter the job market, researching available positions is crucial.

1. Websites like Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn have dedicated sections for cybersecurity roles. Search for "SOC Analyst," "Information Security Analyst", "Cybersecurity Analyst", and "Cyber Security Analyst".

   
   

2. Don’t hesitate to check the career pages of companies you’re interested in. Direct applications sometimes yield better chances as they are less competitive than general job boards.

   
   

3. Some agencies specialize in IT and cybersecurity roles. Connect with them for guidance and potential job placements.

   
   

4. SOC analyst positions are now often hiring by referrals only because the application process is broken.

Preparing for Interviews

Once you begin applying, preparation is key to securing interviews. Here are some tips:

1. Familiarize yourself with typical interview questions for cybersecurity roles. These can include technical queries and situational questions that assess your problem-solving skills.

   
   

2. Employers value candidates who show enthusiasm for cybersecurity. Discuss recent security breaches or interesting issues you've followed in the industry.

   
   

3. Consider conducting mock interviews with friends or mentors to build confidence and refine your responses.

   
   

Continual Learning and Growth

Cybersecurity is not a static field. Continuous learning is essential.

1. Follow industry news and updates from the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Staying informed can give you a competitive edge.

   
   

2. As you gain experience, aim for intermediate certifications like EC-Council's Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and advanced certifications like Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

   
   

3. Understand that cybersecurity roles have multiple pathways. As you grow, consider exploring specializations in cloud security, security engineering, application security, or security architecture.

   
   

Final Thoughts on Your SOC Analyst Career Journey

Starting a career in the SOC without prior experience might seem challenging. Still, by following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully jump-start your vehicle for a long, rewarding journey in cyber.

Education, networking, hands-on projects, and a commitment to continual learning will set you on you're road. Remember, every expert was once a beginner. Embrace the frustrations, and you’ll soon thrive in this dynamic and exciting field.

Getting a job as a SOC analyst is 70% experience, 15% certifications, and 15% degree.