This week focused on upper-layer security concerns and intrusion detection concepts.

Completed this week

  • Continued wargame practice with Bandit or Natas.
  • Worked on an intrusion detection lab using Snort concepts.
  • Reviewed threats and protections for the session, presentation, and application layers.
  • Added module vocabulary through the glossary activity.

Projects

Snort Intrusion Detection Lab

Focus: Intrusion Detection / Network Monitoring

Summary: Practiced with intrusion detection concepts and how monitoring tools help identify suspicious activity.

What I learned: Detection is a key part of defense because it helps teams see and investigate activity that prevention alone may not stop.

Upper OSI Layer Security Discussion

Focus: Session, Presentation, and Application Layer Security

Summary: Reviewed recent cybersecurity themes and protections related to upper-layer services and applications.

What I learned: Application-facing systems often carry business risk, so protections need to address both technical and operational concerns.

Wargame Practice

Focus: Problem Solving / Security Fundamentals

Summary: Continued using wargames to practice investigation and command-line thinking.

What I learned: Consistent practice helps build confidence with unfamiliar systems and security puzzles.

Currently learning

  • Intrusion detection fundamentals
  • Snort concepts
  • Upper OSI layer threats
  • Application-layer protections
  • Security monitoring vocabulary

Biggest takeaway

The biggest takeaway this week was that monitoring gives defenders visibility. Tools like intrusion detection systems help turn raw network activity into signals that can be investigated.

Next focus

  • Continue monitoring-focused lab work.
  • Study defender decision-making after suspicious activity appears.
  • Keep summarizing technical work in a public-safe way.