Table of Contents
Key Takeaways:
- Launch a free home lab using SIEM tools and Sysmon to simulate authentic SOC workflows from day one.
- Prioritize 5-7 projects spanning triage, hunting, and automation to demonstrate complete Tier 1 capabilities.
- Structure GitHub repos with detailed READMEs, MITRE ATT&CK mappings, and live demo links for professional polish.
- Incorporate keywords like “SOC analyst projects,” “Splunk threat hunting,” and “log analysis playbook” for ATS and search optimization.
- Promote via LinkedIn and resume integration to secure 3x more interview opportunities.
Introduction
SOC analyst job postings often demand 2+ years of experience, even when candidates hold certifications like CompTIA Security+. A well-built portfolio overcomes this by showcasing actual skills in threat detection, log analysis, and incident response through tangible projects.
With cyber attacks up 15% year-over-year according to the 2025 Verizon DBIR report, hiring managers prioritize practical proof over paper credentials. Portfolios featuring SIEM dashboards, detailed incident timelines, and threat hunting walkthroughs make candidates stand out in the 2026 job market. This guide provides a clear path from lab setup to GitHub deployment, using only free tools.
Why Build a SOC Analyst Portfolio First?
A strong portfolio can nearly double your interview chances by demonstrating hands-on abilities that a resume alone cannot convey. Recruiters spend seconds scanning for evidence of real-world skills like SIEM rule creation, IOC extraction, and MITRE ATT&CK framework application.
Start with 5-7 targeted projects hosted on GitHub, using accessible tools such as Splunk Free, Wireshark, and Wazuh. These examples mirror daily Tier 1 and Tier 2 SOC responsibilities, from alert triage to automated response playbooks. Successful portfolios often get shared organically on LinkedIn, drawing recruiter attention without endless applications. The key lies in clear documentation—screenshots, code snippets, and “before/after” results that tell a complete story.
Quick Home Lab Setup for Real Practice
Setting up a home lab takes about 60 minutes and costs nothing using VirtualBox on any standard laptop. Begin by creating Windows and Linux virtual machines, then install Sysmon on endpoints to capture detailed process and network logs.
Next, deploy Security Onion—a free, all-in-one platform that combines SIEM, IDS, and network monitoring—or Splunk Free, which handles up to 500MB of logs daily. Configure log forwarding from your VMs to the SIEM using simple agents. Test the environment with Atomic Red Team, a safe framework for simulating common attacks like brute-force logins or phishing payloads. This realistic setup supports every project below and gives you confidence discussing tools in interviews. Local VirtualBox works perfectly for beginners, while AWS Lightsail free tier adds cloud logging experience for just $5/month if needed.
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Step-by-Step Guide on How to Build a SOC Analyst Portfolio
Building a SOC analyst portfolio requires hands-on projects, free tools, and clear documentation to prove skills like log analysis and threat detection. This step-by-step guide uses 2026-relevant tools and takes 4-6 weeks at 10 hours per week.
Step 1: Plan Your Portfolio Focus
Target entry-level SOC Tier 1 roles by reviewing 5-10 job descriptions on LinkedIn or Indeed. Highlight recurring skills: SIEM (Splunk/ELK), log analysis, incident response, MITRE ATT&CK, and scripting (Python/Bash).
List 5-7 projects that match, such as SIEM alerts and phishing triage. Earn basics like CompTIA Security+ or CySA+ for credibility—link badges later. Aim for a GitHub repo structure: README with bio/skills, project folders, reports.
Step 2: Set Up a Free Home Lab
Download VirtualBox (free) and create 2-3 VMs: Windows 10/11, Ubuntu, vulnerable machine like Metasploitable. Install Sysmon (Microsoft) on Windows for endpoint logs and Zeek/Suricata for network monitoring.
Deploy a SIEM: Splunk Free (500MB/day) or Security Onion/ELK Stack. Forward logs via agents (Splunk Universal Forwarder or Filebeat). Test with Atomic Red Team for safe attacks like phishing sims. Total time: 1-2 hours; cost: $0.
Step 3: Complete Core Projects
Build these 5 projects, documenting each with screenshots, code, timelines, and MITRE mappings. Spend 3-5 days per project.
- SIEM Detection Rules: Ingest logs, sim brute-force (Event ID 4625), query Splunk:
index=main sourcetype=win:security EventCode=4625 | stats count by src_ip | where count>5. Create alert/dashboard. - Phishing Incident: Capture Wireshark pcap of phishing email, analyze artifacts in Event Viewer, build timeline, extract IOCs (IPs/hashes).
- Threat Hunting: Use Wazuh/Sigma for endpoint hunts; scan with YARA rules on simulated malware.
- Network Forensics: Suricata alerts on lateral movement; parse pcaps for C2 beacons.
- Automation Script: Python script enriches IOCs via VirusTotal API, integrates with SIEM.
Step 4: Document and Polish Projects
For each project, create a GitHub subfolder with README.md: Problem > Approach > Tools > Results > Lessons (e.g., “Reduced false positives 40% via baselining”). Add visuals: dashboard GIFs, PDF reports, live links via ngrok.
Write a threat intel summary on a breach like 2025 Change Healthcare: IOCs, MITRE TTPs, detection rules. Use tables for IOCs (hash, IP, source).
Step 5: Assemble and Host on GitHub
Create repo “yourname-soc-portfolio”. Root README: Bio (target: Junior SOC Analyst), skills table (SIEM: Splunk; Scripting: Python), project previews. Folders: /projects, /reports, /lab-setup (VM configs).linkedin+1
Make public, pin to profile. Optional: Notion site linking repo for polish.
Step 6: Integrate into Job Search
Update resume: “Developed SIEM rules for brute-force detection (GitHub link).” Practice interviews: Demo a project live. Post on LinkedIn: “Built SOC portfolio—feedback welcome! #SOCAnalyst”.cloudsecurityguy.
7 Portfolio Projects That Prove Tier 1 Skills
These seven projects cover 80% of entry-level SOC analyst duties, from monitoring to remediation. Each one uses free tools, requires 1-2 weeks to complete, and demands thorough documentation with screenshots, query code, and lessons learned for your GitHub repo.
| Project Name | Main Tools | Core Skills Shown | Recruiter Appeal |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIEM Alerts | Splunk Free, Sysmon | Log correlation, custom rules | Matches daily Tier 1 triage |
| Phishing Response | Wireshark, Event Viewer | IOC extraction, timelines | Handles 70% of real alerts |
| Packet Forensics | Suricata, Wireshark | Anomaly detection, network hunting | Blocks lateral movement |
| Threat Hunting | Wazuh, Sigma rules | YARA scans, process analysis | Shows proactive defense |
| Cloud Logs | AWS Free Tier, CloudTrail | IAM anomalies, GuardDuty | Required in 80% of jobs |
| SOAR Automation | Python, VirusTotal API | Enrichment, scripting | Cuts response time by 50% |
| Threat Intel | OSINT tools, Maltego | MITRE mapping, research | Tier 2 readiness |
index=windows EventCode=4625 | stats count by src_ip | where count>5 | sort -count. Create an alert and dashboard, capturing screenshots of the firing alert and investigation steps. This simple exercise proves you understand correlation rules—something recruiters test in every technical screen.GitHub Structure for Maximum Impact
A professional GitHub portfolio looks like a live SOC dashboard: organized, visual, and easy to navigate. Create a root README.md file featuring your bio, a skills table (e.g., “SIEM: Splunk/ELK, Languages: Python/Bash”), and thumbnail previews of each project with one-click links.
Organize content into clear folders: /projects/ with subdirectories for each one (README + artifacts per project), /reports/ for polished PDF incident timelines, and /tools/ for configuration files like Sigma rules or Splunk SPL queries. Use tools like ngrok to share live SIEM dashboards externally. Include a “Challenges Overcome” subsection in each project README, such as “Tuned rules to reduce 80% false positives through baselining.” Repositories following this pattern, like ahnpj/soc-analyst-portfolio, consistently attract stars and forks from the cybersecurity community.github+1
Resume and Interview Integration
Integrate projects directly into your resume with action-oriented bullets: “Engineered SIEM detection rules that reduced false positives by 40% in simulated environment (GitHub: link).” This format passes ATS filters while linking proof.
In interviews, treat your portfolio as a conversation starter—when asked “Walk me through a phishing incident,” open the repo live and narrate your timeline, IOCs, and remediation steps. Embed high-value keywords naturally: SOC analyst portfolio, Splunk log analysis, blue team threat hunting, incident response playbook. Posting project breakdowns on LinkedIn with hashtags like #SOCAnalyst and #CybersecurityJobs often doubles profile views and sparks recruiter DMs.
Boost Skills with Entri’s Cybersecurity Course
Entri’s Cybersecurity Course in Kerala delivers practical training tailored for SOC roles, complete with dedicated placement assistance. The program includes one-on-one portfolio and resume building sessions, ensuring your projects shine in applications. AI-powered modules automate threat report generation and analysis, blending cutting-edge tech with core skills like SIEM configuration, ethical hacking, and incident response.
Boasting a 90% placement rate and strong ties to Kerala employers, it provides lab environments, mock interviews, and job referral support. Perfect for accelerating from beginner to hired—enroll today and gain the edge in competitive hiring.
Final Steps to Job Offers
This roadmap turns “no experience” into hireable skills: set up your lab this weekend, complete one project per week, and deploy to GitHub within a month. Recruiters actively seek strong, updated profiles amid rising demand. Cybersecurity teams need capable analysts now—build this portfolio, apply strategically, and land that entry-level SOC role in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time does a full portfolio take?
Expect 4-6 weeks at 10 hours per week to complete and polish 5 solid projects.
Can all projects use completely free tools?
Yes—Splunk Free (500MB/day), Elastic Stack, Wazuh agents, and Wireshark cover every need without subscriptions.
Should certifications accompany projects?
Pairing with CySA+ or Security+ strengthens applications, but projects provide the hands-on validation certs lack.
Local lab or cloud-based?
Start local with VirtualBox for simplicity; migrate to AWS free tier for cloud-specific logs like CloudTrail.
How often should the portfolio update?
Refresh quarterly, incorporating fresh threats such as 2026 ransomware variants or new MITRE techniques.
GitHub alone, or add a personal site?
GitHub builds instant credibility; enhance with a Notion page or simple WordPress site for a polished landing page.
