At TryHackMe, we love hearing stories about how our users have used the platform to change career paths and excel in their roles.
This is the story of Konstantinos, a pharmaceutical graduate who shows you that it is possible to change career paths! Konstantinos used TryHackMe in early 2021 to secure a role as a Level 1 SOC Analyst, and very recently, was promoted to the role of a Senior Analyst!
We sat down to interview Konstantinos to find out a little more about his journey and advice he has for others. Continue reading to find out what he says!
Konstantinos, can you tell us a little more about your background?
After graduating from university, I finished my pre-registration training and returned to Greece to work as a Pharmacist until 2021.
During my second year at university, my flatmate (and close friend) mentioned that he installed Ubuntu on a small laptop he had. I was curious, so I searched online, set up dual boot on my laptop, and tinkered around with it, but I was terrible! During the COVID pandemic, I was searching for cyber security training and started watching online videos, however, there were a lot of things that I couldn’t understand, so I figured a career in cyber would be unlikely!
I then set a goal to learn the fundamentals and gain a ‘basic’ certification to get me started. When I first learned about TryHackMe, I made an account, started with the Complete Beginner learning path, and never looked back. I became hooked!
A few months later, I updated my CV and started looking for an entry level position, and in September 2021, I landed my first role as a Level 1 SOC Analyst. From there, the journey really began for me. I gained more knowledge, certifications, and experience on the job with a lot of TryHackMe. In May 2023, I was then promoted to Senior Analyst!
What made you want to move from a pharmacy to cyber security?
I searched various forums and websites to learn more about hacking, and discovered Kevin Mitnick, the most famous hacker in the world, and bought his book, ‘The Art of Deception’. I never realised that an ethical hacker can be a full time job! I was intrigued by that concept of using skills to identify vulnerabilities and strengthen security measures to protect against malicious hackers.
I also found that having so many choices in this field really fascinated me. Red Team, Blue Team, Purple Team! Cyber security is a rapidly growing field, and there is a high demand for skilled professionals.
What inspired you to become a Senior SOC Analyst?
I really love the Threat Hunting part of my work and being the ‘good guy’. The satisfaction of solving complex problems and troubleshooting security issues can be motivating. I also loved the idea of being part of a dedicated team, with the end goal of protecting sensitive data, customer information, and intellectual property.
What was the most challenging part of your cyber security career thus far? How did you rise above these challenges?
I can easily say the most challenging part of learning is the vast amount of information available today. There are so many platforms, videos, and courses, it can be easy to feel confused and overwhelmed. Stick to one source, should it be an online course or a video series, finish it, and then move to the next.
Do you have any tips/advice for achieving a SOC Analyst (or Senior SOC Analyst) role?
Develop a strong foundation in cyber security. Be proactive in seeking opportunities, stay persistent in your efforts, and continuously learn from your experiences.
Stick to one source of learning at first and move to the next later. The TryHackMe Complete Beginner learning path is by far the best starting point! Learn the basics before going into more advanced concepts. Even if you don't have a technical background, don’t be afraid to start!
Neal Bridges and David Bombal gave me (and I believe many others) valuable insights on both technical aspects and career advice.
Finally, try and attend as many webinars and conferences as you can. The amount of knowledge and professional connections you gain is incredible!
Are there any other comments you would like to add?
I’d like to say a big thanks to TryHackMe - I cannot describe how honoured I am to be mentioned in the platform that gave me the foundations I am using today! The knowledge from TryHackMe and how it was presented to someone who knew nothing was amazing.
As a first step into the Analyst role, the SOC L1 learning path has a close resemblance to the real world, with a combination of technical concepts and actual hands-on training. It’s spectacular!
Thank you so much, Konstantinos! We have loved learning more about your journey and cannot wait to see where your career takes you. You can follow Konstantinos’ journey on LinkedIn.
Inspired by the journey of Konstantinos? Launch our SOC Level 1 learning path, enabling you to become a successful SOC Analyst, by teaching you the industry's many tools and real-life analysis scenarios.
However, if you’re an early beginner, we recommend starting with our Introduction to Cyber Security and Pre-Security learning paths first!
Ben Spring