#blue-team
17 articles
Sigma Rules Explained: A SOC Analyst's Reading Guide
Sigma rules are a vendor-agnostic YAML format for writing one SIEM detection that runs anywhere. Learn to read one, write one, and map it to MITRE ATT&CK.
How to Read Windows Event Logs: A SOC Analyst Guide
How to read Windows event logs in Event Viewer: pick the right channel, decode the XML view, and triage the Security events analysts see every shift.
Phishing Email Examples: 15 Analyzed by a SOC Analyst
Phishing email examples analyzed with real analyst eyes: red flags, header tells, and the patterns every security-aware person should recognize.
Best EDR Tools in 2026: What Tier 1 Analysts Learn First
Best EDR tools for SOC analysts: CrowdStrike, Defender, SentinelOne, Cortex XDR and more — ranked by console learnability and job-market frequency.
Cyber Threat Hunting Tools: 13 SOC Analysts Use (2026)
Cyber threat hunting tools every SOC analyst needs: Sigma, YARA, KQL, Velociraptor, Wireshark, Zeek, MISP and more — grouped by layer with code examples.
SIEM Use Cases: 10 Every SOC Runs (With Detection Logic)
SIEM use cases explained with detection logic sketches, data sources, and tuning notes for the 10 detections every SOC team operates.
Best SIEM Tools in 2026: 10 Platforms Ranked
Best SIEM tools ranked for 2026: Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel, IBM QRadar, Elastic Security, and more — reviewed from a SOC analyst training perspective.
Open Source SIEM Tools: 7 for Your Home Lab (2026)
Open source SIEM tools let you build real detection skills at zero cost. Here are 7 worth running in a home lab, ranked by what they actually teach.
Best Cybersecurity Certifications for Beginners (2026)
Best cybersecurity certifications for beginners in 2026, ranked by ROI for SOC-bound career switchers. Honest costs, HR recognition, and skill signal per cert.