Exploring the Pyramid of Pain: My Journey through TryHackMe’s SOC Level 1 Challenge

At first glance, the tasks in the TryHackMe SOC Level 1 course seemed random. Each module introduced me to different tools and resources—some of which I hadn’t heard of before. But I soon realized that the point wasn't to master a tool, but to understand the broader concepts they represent. These concepts, like IP reputation checks, Fast Flux, and domain analysis, are universal and can be applied in any cybersecurity role.

I enjoyed the Pyramid of Pain concept—and yes, the name says it all! ??. It visualizes the difficulty attackers face when defenders detect certain indicators of compromise. Blocking IPs might be easy for attackers to circumvent, but changing tactics becomes harder as you go up the pyramid.

At some point, I was getting distracted by the many external links provided in the course. Each URL led me down a rabbit hole of new topics, and I found myself learning about concepts not directly related to the task at hand. I realized I was losing focus, so I decided to keep a digital notepad handy, jotting down URLs for later reading. That allowed me to stay on track while ensuring I had resources to explore more after finishing the main task.

In the end, I successfully completed the challenge. On to the next! ??

Key Takeaways:

• Cyber defense frameworks help establish a strong security posture
• Knowing how attackers use IPs and domain names is crucial for threat detection
• Always keep track of additional resources, but don’t get lost in them!

Feel free to check out the TryHackMe platform if you're looking to enhance your security skills!

#Cybersecurity #SOC #PyramidOfPain #LearningJourney #ContinuousLearning #TryHackMe