Networking is a goldmine for discovering hidden gems, and that's exactly how I stumbled upon TryHackMe. Scrolling through LinkedIn, I was constantly seeing posts about "rooms," "streaks," and funky looking badges. Naturally, I went straight to the platform to see what all these cybersecurity professionals and enthusiasts were so obsessed with.
I'd been itching to bridge the gap between theoretical cybersecurity knowledge and practical application. TryHackMe seemed like the missing piece. Admittedly, my first few clicks on the platform were exploratory, wandering through "rooms" like a lost adventurer. But within two hours, something clicked.
The convenience of browser-based learning was a game-changer. No clunky software downloads, just pure hacking goodness at my fingertips. And the best part, TryHackMe was a one-stop shop for all the tools and skills cybersecurity professionals wield. It was like walking into a candy store for the first time again but here it is overflowing with digital weapons and armor not candy rope and chocolate.
This wasn't just a platform; it was an invitation to join a passionate community of cyber warriors.
About TryHackMe
“We're a gamified, hands-on cyber security training platform that you can access through your browser, with blue, red and purple team content for all skill levels.”
Think of TryHackMe as your browser-based playground for cybersecurity training. It's built by and for a community of passionate hackers, with learning paths and challenges for everyone, from curious newbies to seasoned pros. Their mission is to make cybersecurity accessible and affordable, bridging the skills gap in the field.
Here, you get your own virtual machine, just a click away. This is your personal hacking sandbox, where you can experiment, defend, and explore hands-on, just like in real-world scenarios and jobs. If you have no prior coding or cybersecurity experience TryHackMe has beginner-friendly training labs designed for anyone to dive in. If you’re just wanting to explore and are adventurous you can pick and choose from bite-sized modules focused on specific tools and skills.
Once you’ve spent some time learning or maybe if you already have some knowledge and want to be tested, you can put your knowledge into practice with their gamified cyber security challenges. Maybe you're feeling extra competitive, you can join their "King of the Hill" game, where you hack, defend, and outsmart other players for ultimate bragging rights.
Just like any good learning platform, TryHackMe lets you celebrate your achievements. Earn badges and certificates as you conquer milestones, and showcase your progress to your network. And for competitive souls like me, there's even a global leaderboard to track your position against fellow hackers.
So, whether you're a cybersecurity rookie or a seasoned veteran, TryHackMe has something for you.
Pathways Explored
When I first got on the platform I wanted to start from the beginning even though I was not a newbie at this point. “Intro to Cybersecurity” and “Pre Security” are both pathways that can give you a good foundation and I would recommend starting just to help familiarize yourself with the platform.
Intro to Cyber Sec:
Cyber Security is a huge topic, and it can be challenging to know where to start. This path will give you a hands-on introduction to different areas within cyber, including:
Careers in Cyber Security
Offensive Security; hacking your first application
Defensive Security; defending against a live cyber attack
Exploring security topics in the industry
Completing this learning path will give you the knowledge to kick start your cyber journey.
Pre Security:
This learning path will teach you the pre-requisite technical knowledge to get started in cyber security. To attack or defend any technology, you have to first learn how this technology works.
The Pre-Security learning path is a beginner friendly and fun way to learn the basics.
After I learned how the platform worked, and had a chance to review through those first two learning paths, I moved on to something a little more challenging and practical. The “Cyber Defense” and “SOC Level 1” learning paths started me down the path of learning hands-on skills which made them a breeze to spend time in. The tasks here started to feel like a mission making the learning experience very immersive.
Cyber Defense:
The Cyber Defense path aims to give a broad introduction to the different areas necessary to detect and respond to threats. This path looks at some of the following areas:
Threat and Vulnerability Management
Security Operations and Monitoring
Threat Emulation
Incident Response & Forensics
Malware Analysis and Reverse Engineering
Once you complete this path, you should have the fundamental components of detecting and responding to threats in a corporate environment and using these core concepts to build your understanding of more complex topics within this field.
SOC Level 1:
This path makes you assume the Junior Security Analyst role, where you will be a Triage Specialist. You will spend a significant portion of your time triaging or monitoring the event logs and alerts.
The responsibilities of a Junior Security Analyst or Tier 1 SOC Analyst include the following:
Monitor and investigate alerts
Configure and manage security tools
Develop and implement IDS signatures
My journey on TryHackMe began with a casual scroll through LinkedIn, a spark of curiosity ignited by cryptic posts about "rooms" and "badges." Now, months later, I feel I have transformed my skills sharpened by hands-on challenges and a supportive community.
TryHackMe isn't just a platform; it's a portal to a vibrant world of cyber knowledge. Undoubtedly there's a path for you to explore. From foundational concepts to real-world simulations, it nurtures curiosity and fuels the thrill of learning.
So, if you're looking to bridge the gap between theory and practice, if you crave hands-on hacking, or simply want to be part of a supportive community, step through the TryHackMe portal. You might just surprise yourself with the cyber warrior you become.