What to Expect in a SOC Analyst Interview Straight from College

Published on October 30, 2024

Introduction

Today, a junior from my college reached out to me, asking for a path to becoming a SOC Analyst straight from college. I thought it could be helpful to write this down and share it with anyone who needs guidance. Here's what to expect and how to prepare for a SOC analyst interview.

Top 15 Skills SOC Analyst Roles Demand

Phishing/Spam/Marketing Email Analysis

Skills: Identifying and responding to suspicious emails.

Tools: Spam filters, phishing simulation tools.

Malware Analysis and Response

Skills: Understanding malware types like Trojan, Worms, Ransomware.

Tools: Malware analysis sandboxes, antivirus software.

Networking Protocols and Concepts

Skills: Knowledge of protocols like SSH, SMTP, FTP, DNS, RDP, Kerberos, LDAP, DHCP, ICMP, SNMP.

Concepts: OSI layers, SSL/TLS, WWW, CDN, Edge computing, Client-server module, TCP/UDP, TCP handshake, VPN, Subnetting, Masking, CIDR.

Tools: Wireshark, tcpdump.

Defense Mechanisms

Email Security: DMARC, SPF, DKIM.

Endpoint Security: EDR, XDR, web filtering, top 10 AV policies.

Data Security: Top 10 DLP policies, encryption (at rest, in transit), retention policies.

Network Security: Firewall, IDS, IPS, DMZ, Load balancer, security groups/NIC.

Web Security: WAF, OWASP Top 10, finding vulnerabilities.

Cloud Security: Basic services of one cloud provider (Azure recommended).

Incident Response Process

Skills: Explanation of each step in the incident response lifecycle.

Tools: SIEM (e.g., Splunk, ArcSight).

Response to Compromised IAM Accounts

Skills: Steps to secure a compromised Identity and Access Management (IAM) account.

Linux Administration

Skills: Basic commands and administration.

Tools: Command line interface (CLI), shell scripting.

PowerShell Commands

Skills: Use of PowerShell for Windows administration tasks.

MITRE ATT&CK and Cyber Kill Chain

Skills: Understanding adversary tactics and techniques, and the stages of a cyberattack.

Tools: MITRE ATT&CK framework, Lockheed Martin’s Cyber Kill Chain model.

Risk Management

Skills: Identifying and mitigating risks.

Tools: Risk assessment frameworks, tools like NIST RMF.

SIEM Configuration and Management

Skills: Setting up and managing Security Information and Event Management systems.

Tools: Splunk, ArcSight, QRadar.

Threat Intelligence

Skills: Gathering and using threat intelligence.

Tools: Threat intelligence platforms like MISP.

Compliance and Governance

Skills: Understanding compliance requirements and governance frameworks.

Frameworks: GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 27001.

Scripting and Automation

Skills: Automating tasks using scripts.

Tools: Python, Bash.

Soft Skills

Skills: Effective communication, teamwork, problem-solving.

Scenarios: Behavioral interview questions.

Diving Deeper Into Each Skill

Phishing/Spam Analysis

Understand the types of phishing attacks and common indicators of phishing emails. Practice with spam filters and phishing simulation tools to gain hands-on experience.

Malware Analysis

Familiarize yourself with various types of malware and the basic techniques for analyzing them. Tools like sandbox environments can help you understand the behavior of malicious software.

Networking Protocols

Know the key networking protocols and their functions. Hands-on experience with tools like Wireshark will be invaluable.

Defenses for Various Domains

Gain knowledge about different security controls for email, endpoint, network, cloud, data, and web security. Learn about tools like DMARC, SPF, DKIM for email security, and WAF, OWASP Top 10 for web security.

Incident Response

Understand the incident response process, including detection, containment, eradication, and recovery. Get familiar with the tools used in each step, like SIEM systems for detection.

Compromised IAM Response

Learn the steps to take when an IAM account is compromised, including password resets, logging out active sessions, and conducting a thorough investigation.

Linux Administration

Develop proficiency with Linux commands and administration tasks. This is crucial for investigating and mitigating security incidents on Linux systems.

PowerShell and Windows Administration

Gain knowledge of PowerShell commands and their use in Windows administration and security tasks.

MITRE ATT&CK and Cyber Kill Chain

Understand adversary tactics and techniques, and the stages of a cyberattack. Familiarize yourself with the MITRE ATT&CK framework and Lockheed Martin’s Cyber Kill Chain model.

Risk Management

Learn about risk assessment frameworks and how to identify and mitigate risks in a SOC environment.

SIEM Management

Get hands-on experience with SIEM tools like Splunk, and understand how to configure and manage these systems for effective security monitoring.

Threat Intelligence

Understand how to gather, analyze, and use threat intelligence to protect an organization. Familiarize yourself with threat intelligence platforms and feeds.

Compliance and Governance

Know the key compliance requirements and governance frameworks relevant to your industry. Understanding GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO 27001 will be beneficial.

Scripting and Automation

Learn scripting languages like Python and Bash to automate repetitive tasks and improve efficiency in a SOC environment.

Soft Skills

Develop strong communication and teamwork skills. Be prepared to discuss past experiences and how you’ve handled various situations, as behavioral questions are common in interviews.

Courses and Resources

To prepare for these skills, you can explore various courses and resources. Some valuable options include the Google Cyber Security Certificate, Cisco Networking Academy, Linux Foundation, TryHackMe, Splunk Free Trial, Microsoft Azure Free Account, LinkedIn Learning, and Udemy. These platforms offer a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to build your expertise.

Certifications

While pursuing your career as a SOC analyst, obtaining certifications can significantly enhance your credentials. Consider earning Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), CompTIA Security+, or CCNA to demonstrate your foundational knowledge. Additionally, SC-200 and AWS Cloud Practitioner are recommended for further specialization and advanced skills.

Conclusion

Entering the field of cybersecurity as a SOC Analyst straight from college is achievable with the right skills, certifications, and practical experience. By focusing on the key areas mentioned above and continuously learning and adapting to new threats and technologies, you can build a strong foundation for your career. Remember, the cybersecurity field is dynamic and ever-evolving, so staying updated with the latest trends and best practices is crucial. Stay curious, keep learning, and always practice your skills to stay ahead in this dynamic field. Reach out to me at sunil@tharvid.in if you need some free Azure credits to learn and build a lab or any guidance. Good luck with your journey!