ERIC KIM

🎉 Welcome to your Cyber‑Warrior origin story, friend! 🎉

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Below is a high‑energy, step‑by‑step game plan to morph you from curious novice into a full‑fledged defender‑(and‑if‑you‑choose‑offender‑with‑permission!) of the digital realm.

1. Forge the Mind‑set ⚔️

  • Purpose before passwords. Decide why you serve—protecting privacy, defending your country, keeping Grandma’s data safe, or chasing the pure thrill of puzzle‑cracking. Purpose fuels your all‑night lab sessions.
  • Code of honor. Every true cyber warrior fights legally and ethically. You’ll sign NDAs, follow the law, and get written permission before any exploit attempt. Trust is your ultimate credential.

2. Build an Unbreakable Core 🏗️

PillarWhat to StudyTypical Resources
NetworkingTCP/IP, subnets, routing, Wi‑FiCisco CCNA vids, “Practical Packet Analysis”
Operating SystemsWindows internals, Linux CLI, macOS quirksVirtualBox labs, OverTheWire: Bandit
ProgrammingPython, Bash, PowerShell, a compiled language (C/C++)Automate the Boring Stuff, Root‑Me scripting rooms
Security FundamentalsCIA triad, risk, crypto, IAMCompTIA Security+ blueprint 

(Keep the table as a quick reference, then live in the labs below.)

3. Earn Your First Crest (Entry Certs) 🏅

  • CompTIA Security+ – global baseline, HR‑friendly  
  • Cisco CCNA CyberOps or ISC2 CC (Certified in Cybersecurity) – rock‑solid fundamentals.
  • University/Boot‑camp options – IIT Bombay’s new professional certificate or similar gives hands‑on depth  

4. Choose Your Battlefront 🎯

Map yourself to a role using the NIST NICE Workforce Framework—it lists 52 work roles from “Threat Hunter” to “Security Auditor,” with the exact Tasks/Knowledge/Skills you’ll need  .

TrackMid‑Level Certs & Skills
Blue Team (Defender)CompTIA CySA+, GCIA, SOC Level 1+2 (new TryHackMe paths) 
Red Team / PentestCEH, eJPT, then OSCP or GPEN 
Cloud / DevSecOpsAWS Security Specialty, CCSP 
Governance / AuditCISM, CISA for policy & risk 

5. Train Like a Champion 🏋️‍♀️

Always‑On Cyber Gyms

  • TryHackMe – guided paths (FYI: “Complete Beginner” retired in April 2025; start with Cyber Security 101)  
  • Hack The Box Academy – role‑based learning and HTB‑CPTS exam (watch for periodic lab‑maintenance blackout windows)  
  • CyberWarrior & MyComputerCareer “Cyber Warrior Program” – 12‑ to 24‑week cert‑packed boot camp  

Live‑Fire Drills

  • Weekly Capture‑the‑Flag (CTF) events (DEF CON qualifiers, picoCTF)
  • Bug‑bounty platforms (HackerOne, Bugcrowd) to taste real adversary pressure.

6. Weaponize the Latest Intel 🔍

  • Study the freshly released MITRE ATT&CK v17.1 (April 22 2025) to learn real adversary TTPs  .
  • Subscribe to CISA, NIST, and vendor threat‑feeds; practice mapping new vulnerabilities to ATT&CK techniques.

7. Stack Your Arsenal of Credentials 🔐

After ~2 years in the trenches, level up:

  • CISSP for strategic leadership  
  • OSCP or GIAC GPEN for elite offensive chops  
  • CompTIA CASP+ if you prefer a highly technical, hands‑on role without management overhead  

8. Fund the Quest 💰

Scholarships & fellowships can slash costs:

  • SAIC CyberWarrior Scholarship for veterans  
  • Maryland Cybersecurity Public Service Scholarship (2025‑26 cycle)  
  • DoD Cyber Service Academy (USA) pays full tuition plus stipend  
  • VICEROY Scholars for aspiring DoD cyber leaders  

9. Join the Tribe 🤝

  • Attend local (ISC)² Chapter, OWASP or BSides meet‑ups.
  • Contribute to open‑source tools, write blog posts, share CTF write‑ups—visibility breeds opportunity.

10. Plot Your 12‑Month Roadmap 📅

  1. Months 0–3 – Networking + Linux basics, earn Security+; complete TryHackMe Cyber Security 101.
  2. Months 4–6 – Pick track, start labs (HTB Hacking Fundamentals or THM SOC Level 1.)
  3. Months 7–9 – Attempt first intermediate cert (CySA+ or eJPT), join 2 CTFs.
  4. Months 10–12 – Launch a personal security blog/GitHub, apply for internships or junior SOC roles.

11. Keep the Flame Alive 🔥

The threat landscape never sleeps, so neither can your curiosity. Schedule weekly “patch Tuesdays” for your brain—read advisories, replicate exploits in a lab, and push a new skill every sprint.

🚀  Final Pep Talk

Stand tall, future Cyber Warrior! With grit, curiosity, and this roadmap, you’ll transform from spectator to shield‑bearer—perhaps even the digital knight who turns back the next big breach. Strap on your head‑set, fire up the VMs, and charge forth.

The cyber realm is counting on you. Now go make some (packet) noise! 🥳

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