The Purple Team Journey: My Cybersecurity Chronicles.

       In cybersecurity, technical expertise is essential, but it’s not the only skill that determines success. A security professional who can’t explain an incident to management, clarify risks for end-users, or collaborate effectively with peers is leaving a huge gap in the team’s defense. Communication is the glue that connects technical knowledge with actionable results. Communication Foundations in Cybersecurity. Strong communication isn’t just a “soft skill” it’s the foundation of effective teamwork and resilience in cybersecurity. From SOC analysts to CISOs, every role requires clear, professional, and empathetic interaction. Let’s break down the essential elements. 1. Listening Listening is the cornerstone of communication. In cybersecurity, this means more than hearing words it’s about understanding intent, context, and emotion. With end-users , listening carefully helps identify whether an incident stems from a technical issue or a misunderstanding. W...

Searching in Cyber In the fast-paced world of cybersecurity, the ability to search for relevant information quickly and accurately can be a game-changer. Whether you're a penetration tester looking for vulnerabilities, an incident responder analyzing malware, or a cybersecurity researcher seeking the latest exploits, mastering effective search techniques is crucial. This detailed guide dives into how to evaluate search results , the usage of advanced search operators , the most important search engines in cybersecurity , specialized search engines , vulnerabilities and exploit searches , technical documentation , and even social media in the realm of cybersecurity. 1. Evaluation of Search Results Search engines are crucial tools in cybersecurity research, but not all search results are created equal. Evaluating the credibility and relevance of the results you get can save you time and ensure you're using trusted and up-to-date information. Here are some key aspects to co...

The day begins early for the Junior Security Analyst, stepping into the office or logging into their remote workstation. The quiet hum of servers and the glow of multiple screens set the stage for another day at the heart of the cybersecurity battlefield. Their first task is to review the handover notes from the previous shift or the daily briefing. This update includes summaries of unresolved incidents, ongoing investigations, and any notable changes in the organization’s threat landscape. Equipped with this crucial information, the analyst prepares to navigate a world where even the smallest anomaly could signify a major threat. Logging into the array of tools—a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platform, endpoint detection systems, firewalls, and intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS)—the analyst is immediately immersed in the flow of alerts. Every beep, flash, and log entry represents a potential threat. The first challenge is triage. Like a digital detecti...

Why SOC Analyst L1 is Considered a Triage Specialist. A Level 1 Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst is often regarded as a triage specialist because they are the first responders to cybersecurity alerts. Much like how a triage nurse assesses patients' conditions in a hospital, a Level 1 SOC Analyst evaluates and categorizes alerts generated by security tools to determine their severity and prioritize response efforts. Their primary focus is to: Filter Noise: Modern networks generate massive amounts of data, with many false positives. SOC L1 analysts must sift through this data to identify real threats. Categorize Alerts: Assign severity levels to incidents, such as low, medium, or high priority. Initial Response: Perform basic investigations (e.g., checking IP addresses, scanning logs) and decide whether to escalate incidents to Level 2 or 3 analysts. This role is vital because it ensures that high-priority threats are addressed quickly and resources are allocated ...

How Can I Become a Threat Hunter? If you're asking yourself this question, you are at the right place. Becoming a skilled threat hunter is a journey that requires dedication, deep knowledge, hands-on experience, and continuous learning. The role itself is complex, often bridging the worlds of offensive (attacking) and defensive (protecting) cybersecurity practices. Threat hunters are highly specialized professionals who proactively seek out covert threats that have already infiltrated the system and avoid detection by traditional security controls such as firewalls, antivirus programs, and intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS). If you're aiming to enter the field of threat hunting, you’ll need more than just curiosity; you’ll need a combination of technical prowess, real-world experience, and an analytical mindset. Below, we’ll break down how to become a threat hunter, with an emphasis on building the skills, knowledge, and experience required to thrive in this grow...

 Threat Hunting: A Purple Team Discipline.

Kape: Kroll Artifact Parser and Extractor. Developed by Eric Zimmerman, is a powerful digital forensic tool designed for rapid collection and analysis of forensic artifacts. It is widely used for incident response, system triage, and forensic investigations. This guide will provide a detailed overview of KAPE, its architecture, capabilities, and usage. 1. Understanding KAPE KAPE operates in two primary phases: Targeting (Collection) : The first step involves using KAPE's Targets to collect forensic data from a system. Targets define the specific artifacts to collect and where to find them. Examples of artifacts include log files, browser history, prefetch files, registry hives, and more. Processing (Parsing) : The second step involves Modules, which process and analyze the collected data. Modules leverage external tools and scripts to parse specific types of artifacts and extract meaningful information. KAPE's modular approach allows investigators to quickly customize workflows...