SOC Analyst L1 – Complete Study Notes
This guide provides a structured foundation to prepare for a SOC Analyst Level 1 role. It covers
networking, operating systems, SIEM, incident response, and practical skills required for entry-level
cybersecurity jobs.
1. Networking Fundamentals (Very Important)
1 OSI Model: Understand the 7 layers and how data flows.
2 TCP/IP Model: Know differences between TCP and UDP.
3 Common Ports: HTTP(80), HTTPS(443), SSH(22), FTP(21), DNS(53).
4 IP Addressing: Private vs Public IP, subnetting basics.
5 DNS & DHCP: How devices resolve names and obtain IP addresses.
6 VPN Basics: Purpose and common enterprise usage.
2. Linux Basics for SOC
1 Important commands: ls, cd, pwd, grep, chmod, chown, ps, top.
2 Understand file permissions (rwx).
3 Know common log locations like /var/log/[Link].
4 Process monitoring and basic shell navigation.
5 Practice using Ubuntu or Kali Linux in VirtualBox.
3. Windows & Active Directory
1 Understand Windows Event Viewer and log types.
2 Basic PowerShell commands and usage.
3 Active Directory concepts: Domain, Users, Groups, OU.
4 Common attack types: Brute force, privilege escalation.
5 Importance of Windows Defender and endpoint security.
4. Security Fundamentals
1 What is a SOC and role of SOC Analyst L1.
2 Incident Response lifecycle: Preparation → Detection → Containment → Eradication →
Recovery → Lessons Learned.
3 Types of malware: Virus, Worm, Trojan, Ransomware.
4 MITRE ATT&CK; framework basics.
5 Difference between IDS and IPS.
5. SIEM Basics (Critical for Jobs)
1 SIEM collects and correlates logs from multiple sources.
2 Understand log ingestion and parsing.
3 Learn SPL queries in Splunk.
4 Create dashboards and alerts.
5 Understand use cases like brute force detection.
6. Alert Triage Process
1 Step 1: Validate whether alert is true positive or false positive.
2 Step 2: Check source and destination IP reputation.
3 Step 3: Review related logs and user activity.
4 Step 4: Escalate if malicious activity confirmed.
5 Step 5: Document the incident clearly.
7. Phishing Analysis Basics
1 Check sender email domain carefully.
2 Look for suspicious attachments and URLs.
3 Analyze email headers.
4 Use sandbox tools to inspect files safely.
5 Educate users and report confirmed phishing.
8. Important Tools to Know
1 Splunk – SIEM analysis.
2 Wireshark – Packet analysis.
3 VirusTotal – File and URL reputation.
4 TryHackMe – Hands-on labs.
5 LetsDefend – SOC simulation.
9. Job Preparation Tips
1 Build a home lab and practice daily.
2 Complete SOC Level 1 path on TryHackMe.
3 Document investigations on GitHub.
4 Prepare an ATS-friendly SOC resume.
5 Practice common SOC interview questions.
End of Guide – Keep Practicing Daily!