Technical Lab Library

32 hands-on technical labs across 6 tracks — from Security+ and Network+ foundations to real SOC-analyst work. Each lab is a self-contained exercise with step-by-step instructions. No paid tools required.

100% Free 32 Labs Beginner to Advanced 32 Full Guides Live

Track 1 — Security+ Foundations

Core Security+ concepts every analyst and exam-taker needs first.

LAB 01Beginner

CIA Triad: Classify the Breach

Classify six real-world breaches as Confidentiality, Integrity, or Availability violations — the core vocabulary of every Security+ question.

Case StudiesNo Install
LAB 02Beginner

Threat Actor & Attack Type ID Lab

Read real attack scenarios and correctly classify the threat actor type and the attack technique used.

Case Studies
LAB 03Intermediate

Cryptography Basics Lab

Hash and encrypt real files using free tools, and explain when to use symmetric vs. asymmetric encryption.

OpenSSLFree Online Tools
LAB 04Intermediate

Identity & Access Management (IAM) Lab

Set up multi-factor authentication and least-privilege roles on a sandbox account, then audit who can access what.

MFARole-Based Access
LAB 05Intermediate

Risk & Vulnerability Assessment Lab

Score a set of sample vulnerabilities by likelihood and impact, and produce a prioritized remediation list like a real analyst.

Risk Matrix
LAB 06Advanced

Security+ Scenario Exam Lab

Practice performance-based question (PBQ) style scenarios exactly like the real Security+ exam format.

SY0-701 PBQs

Track 2 — Network+ Foundations

The networking fundamentals every technical lab in this course builds on.

LAB 07Beginner

Subnetting Lab

Practice subnetting by hand using real IP ranges until it becomes second nature.

Subnet CalculatorPen & Paper
LAB 08Beginner

OSI Model Lab

Map real network traffic and common tools to each of the 7 OSI layers.

Wireshark
LAB 09Beginner

Network Cabling & Connectors Lab

Identify and compare real-world cable and connector types used in enterprise networks.

Reference Sheet
LAB 10Beginner

Ports, Protocols & Services Lab

Match common ports to protocols and services using real scan output.

Nmap Output Sample
LAB 11Beginner

Number Systems for Networking Lab

Convert between binary, decimal, and hexadecimal — the math behind every IP address and MAC address.

Pen & Paper
LAB 12Intermediate

Wireless Troubleshooting Lab

Diagnose common Wi-Fi problems step by step, from weak signal to channel interference.

Wi-Fi Analyzer

Track 3 — SOC Operations — Real Analyst Work

Hands-on labs built from real SOC-analyst workflows — log analysis, triage, and incident response.

LAB 13Intermediate

SIEM Log Analysis: Spot the Attack

Read a real-style authentication log and catch a brute-force attack, a backdoor account, and data theft — exactly like a Tier-1 SOC analyst.

Practice Log FileText Editor
LAB 14Beginner

Phishing Email Investigation Lab

Dissect a real phishing email's headers and links to prove it's malicious, without ever clicking anything dangerous.

Sample Email Header
LAB 15Advanced

Incident Response Tabletop Lab

Walk through a simulated breach end-to-end — identify, contain, eradicate, recover — and produce a written incident report.

NIST 800-61
LAB 16Intermediate

SOC Alert Triage Lab

Prioritize a queue of 15 mixed security alerts by real risk, the way a Tier-1 analyst does every shift.

Sample Alert Queue
LAB 17Intermediate

Honeypot Analysis Lab

Analyze real captured attacker activity from a honeypot and write up what the attacker was after.

Captured Honeypot Data
LAB 18Advanced

Malware Behavior Analysis Lab

Read a safe, pre-generated malware sandbox report and identify persistence, network, and file system indicators.

Sandbox Report Sample
LAB 19Beginner

Live Threat Map Investigation Lab

Use the live attack map on the homepage as a real graded exercise — not just a visual — to practice source/target analysis.

Live Threat Map

Track 4 — Scripting & Automation

PowerShell, Python, and Bash skills that turn manual security work into automated work.

LAB 20Beginner

PowerShell Fundamentals Lab

Learn the core cmdlets security professionals use every day for system administration and investigation.

PowerShell
LAB 21Beginner

Python Scripting Fundamentals Lab

Learn variables, loops, and functions through small security-flavored coding exercises.

Python 3
LAB 22Beginner

Bash Scripting Lab

Automate a basic system audit using shell scripting and log searching commands.

BashLinux
LAB 23Intermediate

Python Password Strength Checker Lab

Build a real, working password strength checker tool from scratch in Python.

Python 3
LAB 24Intermediate

Automate Log Parsing with Python Lab

Write a Python script that automatically flags suspicious lines in a log file — turning Lab 13 into code.

Python 3Practice Log File

Track 5 — Capture-the-Flag Challenges

Guided, legal offensive-security challenges to test what you've learned.

LAB 25Intermediate

Password Cracking CTF

Crack a set of sample password hashes using guided, legal cracking techniques.

Hashcat/John Reference
LAB 26Intermediate

Network Reconnaissance CTF

Use scan output to map a sandbox network's live hosts, open ports, and likely vulnerabilities.

Nmap Output Sample
LAB 27Intermediate

SQL Injection / Database CTF

Find and explain a SQL injection vulnerability in a sample login form, then propose the fix.

Sample Vulnerable Query
LAB 28Advanced

Web Exploitation CTF

Walk through a guided cross-site scripting (XSS) exploitation scenario in a safe, sandboxed example.

Sample Vulnerable App Data
LAB 29Advanced

Denial of Service CTF

Analyze a traffic spike sample to confirm a DoS attack and recommend mitigation steps.

Traffic Log Sample
LAB 30Advanced

Themed Multi-Stage CTF

A branded, story-driven CTF pulling together recon, log analysis, and cracking skills from earlier labs into one challenge.

Multiple Prior Labs

Track 6 — Career Readiness

Turn your labs into a portfolio and walk into interviews ready.

LAB 31Beginner

Cybersecurity Portfolio Builder Lab

Turn your completed labs into a real, shareable portfolio that proves your skills to employers.

Your Completed Labs
LAB 32Intermediate

Mock SOC Interview Lab

Practice real SOC analyst interview questions against a scoring rubric so you walk in confident.

Interview Question Bank

Ready to start Lab 01?

All 32 labs are free and self-paced. New full guides are being added regularly — check back often.

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