How to Become a SOC Analyst — Step-by-Step Learning Sequence

Author by: Devyani Bisht

Today, we’re going to discuss the sequence of topics you need to learn to become a SOC Analyst.
You may find a lot of blogs about how to become a SOC Analyst or what to study, but very few explain these topics in a logical order or dive deep into why and how each concept matters.

How to Become a SOC Analyst

Step 1: Understanding Computer Fundamentals

Many beginners jump straight into tools like SIEM or Splunk without understanding the basics — that’s a mistake. Before you move forward, you must understand:

What is a computer?
What is the role of RAM, hard disk, and operating system?
How does the OS process files and manage memory?

If you don’t know the difference between RAM and ROM or what cache memory does, you won’t be able to properly investigate incidents. For instance, during an attack, valuable information is often stored in memory. If you don’t understand how memory works, you might miss critical evidence.

So, start with basic computer fundamentals before diving deeper.

Step 2: Understanding Data and Operating Systems

Next, learn how data travels on the internet. Think of data like vehicles on a highway — if you don’t know how cars move, you can’t understand accidents. You should also understand operating systems:

Windows and Linux basics
The boot process (bootloader, kernel, and desktop loading)
Common commands (e.g., cd, cat, chmod, ps, netstat)

If you want to specialize in Microsoft environments, I recommend the book ‘Windows Server Administration Basics’.

Step 3: Networking and IP Fundamentals

Now that you understand computers, let’s move to networking. Learn what an IP address is — think of it as a phone number. When an attacker targets a server, they use a specific IP. You should know:

The difference between public and private IPs
Their ranges and how they work
Basic network protocols like HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, SSH

Also, practice using command line tools such as:

ping
traceroute
ipconfig / ifconfig

These will help you understand how devices communicate and diagnose network issues.

Step 4: Network Devices

Next, learn about the devices that connect and protect networks:

Router: Connects different networks
Switch: Connects multiple systems
Firewall: Protects against external attacks
DLP (Data Loss Prevention): Ensures sensitive data doesn’t leave the internal network

You should understand how each device works and where it is positioned in a network. Use tools like Wireshark, ping, and traceroute to see how data (packets) travel between systems.

Step 5: Building a Security Mindset

Cybersecurity is not just about tools — it’s about understanding what you’re protecting.

Information Security protects all types of assets (physical and digital).
Cybersecurity focuses only on protecting digital assets.

Understand the CIA Triad:

Confidentiality
Integrity
Availability

Step 6: Threats, Vulnerabilities, Exploits, and Risks

As a SOC Analyst, you must clearly understand:

Threat: Anything that can cause harm
Vulnerability: A weakness in a system
Exploit: A method used by attackers to take advantage of a vulnerability
Risk: The probability of a threat exploiting a vulnerability

For example:
If your system has a weak password (vulnerability), and an attacker tries to use a brute-force script (exploit), the possible outcome (risk) is system compromise.

Step 7: Understanding SOC and Its Roles

SOC stands for Security Operations Center — the “war room” where incidents are detected, investigated, and responded to. Typical roles include:

L1 Analyst: First responder who monitors and validates alerts.
L2 Analyst: Performs a deeper investigation and correlation.
L3 Analyst: Conducts threat hunting, malware analysis, and advanced investigation.
SOC Manager: Oversees and manages the team.

Understand this hierarchy before working with any SOC tools.

Step 8: Log Analysis

Logs are the digital “diaries” of systems. They record every event, be it login attempts, file changes, or firewall blocks. As a SOC Analyst, your primary job is to read and interpret logs. Types of logs include:

Windows Security Logs (login attempts, access events)
Application Logs (application errors and behavior)
System Logs (drivers and services)
Registry and Policy Change Logs

Before using SIEM tools, learn to read raw logs manually to understand what normal and abnormal activities look like.

Step 9: Packet Analysis with Wireshark

Packets carry all the communication data between systems. Wireshark is the best tool for analyzing these packets. Before using Wireshark, make sure you:

Understand normal network traffic
Know how to read logs and alerts
Recognize common attacks

Focus on identifying suspicious DNS queries, HTTP requests, or command-and-control traffic.

Step 10: Learning Common Attacks

You must know how common cyberattacks work:

Phishing: Tricking users into clicking malicious links
Brute Force: Guessing passwords and attempting repeatedly
Malware / Ransomware: Malicious software execution
Port Scanning: Finding open ports and services

Study real-world attack cases using the MITRE ATT&CK framework, cybersecurity blogs, and news sites.

Step 11: SIEM (Security Information and Event Management)

Originally, Analysts checked each system’s logs manually. To save time, SIEM tools were introduced. A SIEM collects, correlates, and analyzes logs from multiple systems. Popular SIEM tools include: