Skip to main content
Back to all posts
Tag

#careers

Dual-monitor workstation in a dark room showing code on an iMac and a landscape wallpaper on a second display, lit by a desk lamp
Best Practices

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.

Astrid LindqvistJun 6, 202617 min read

Hand holding a blue pen writing notes on paper at a wooden desk with a coffee mug and notebook beside it
Best Practices

Best Cybersecurity Certifications for Beginners: 2026 Costs

8 beginner certs ranked for SOC analyst jobs, with prices checked on each issuer's site in Sept 2026: Security+ $439, BTL1 £399, ISC2 CC no longer free.

Astrid LindqvistMay 21, 202618 min read

Two silhouettes facing each other across a table with a large curved orange-lit world map and data dashboard screen behind them
Best Practices

SOC Analyst Interview Questions: 30 With Answers

SOC analyst interview questions decoded: what interviewers test, sample answers, and log examples to study before your first security ops interview.

Astrid LindqvistApr 23, 202619 min read

Tiered salary bands for SOC analyst roles from Tier 1 entry-level to Tier 3 senior, displayed as a compensation ladder in a security context
Best Practices

SOC Analyst Salary 2026: Tier 1 to Tier 3 ($48K to $145K)

Tier 1 SOC analysts earn $48,000 to $72,000; Tier 3 and leads reach $145,000. Honest ranges by tier, location, and cert, from BLS and aggregator data.

Astrid LindqvistApr 16, 202617 min read

3D orange glowing staircase path curving across a dark circuit-board landscape toward an illuminated SOC building on the horizon
Best Practices

How to Become a SOC Analyst (With or Without a Degree)

How to become a SOC analyst: a realistic roadmap from IT helpdesk to SOC, covering certs, hands-on practice, and what hiring managers actually screen for.

Astrid LindqvistApr 6, 202614 min read

Dimly lit security operations center with a lone analyst seated at a curved desk of orange-glowing monitors, server racks lining the walls
Best Practices

What Does a SOC Analyst Do? The Role, Explained by Tier

What does a SOC analyst do? A tier-by-tier breakdown of the role, a realistic daily shift, tools, skills, and common myths, for career switchers.

Astrid LindqvistMar 31, 202617 min read