CYBERSECURITY PATHWAY
ANALYST PROGRAM
Online Certified SOC Analyst Program
Master Threat Detection, Incident Triage, and SIEM Log Analysis
Overview
With modern enterprises relying on Security Operations Centers (SOCs) to monitor, detect, and defend against security breaches in real time, trained SOC analysts are highly sought-after in cybersecurity. Hofstra University's 100% online Certified SOC Analyst Program is designed to prepare you to operate within modern enterprise threat management teams.
This program is geared toward technical beginners and IT professionals looking to specialize in cyber defense. Approximately 60% of your curriculum is hands-on work inside a web-hosted sandbox environment, where you'll practice packet analysis, alert monitoring, log aggregation, SIEM configuration, and threat hunting.
This program has been recommended for **3 college credit hours** by the American Council on Education (ACE), meaning it can be recognized by colleges and universities toward an academic degree.
Syllabus & Course Outline
The program is structured into three stackable microcredentials, taking you from basic threat monitoring to advanced digital forensics.
- Understand Security Operations Center (SOC) setups, Tier 1/2 workflow structures, and incident escalation
- Analyze incident alerts and security events in simulated enterprise networks
- Monitor live network telemetry and perform packet captures using Wireshark and Zeek
- Configure endpoint and system monitoring dashboards with Nagios and Zabbix
- Deploy and evaluate network intrusion detection strategies with Snort or pfSense
- Collect and analyze event data using industry-leading SIEM platforms like Splunk
- Configure SIEM correlation rules to spot complex indicators of compromise and reduce false alarms
- Audit database access, directory changes, and system authentication events in enterprise logs
- Design automated incident response workflows using SOAR tools
- Perform digital forensic examinations and acquire forensically sound drive images
- Perform static and dynamic analysis on malware samples and suspicious files
- Formulate and test incident response policies and recovery structures
- Conduct investigations into phishing campaigns and network breach simulations
- Use AI tools to accelerate threat analysis and implement purple-team defense strategies
Certified SOC Analyst Outcomes
Our program prepares you to join cybersecurity operations teams in roles such as:
- Tier 2 SOC Analyst: Escalate and investigate high-priority alerts, tuning detection rules.
- Cyber Defense Analyst: Evaluate logs and network traffic to identify threat patterns.
- Incident Responder: Coordinate the defense and recovery of enterprise systems during a breach.
Graduates gain access to professional resume reviews, mock interviews, and QuickStart's partner employer portal.
Prerequisites & System Requirements
Academic Prerequisites: Technical beginner level. Ideal for students with basic IT knowledge (ex. network concepts, operating system navigation) or those who have completed our IT Technician or Cybersecurity Associate programs.
System Requirements:
- Processor: Intel Core i5 or Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3)
- RAM: 8GB minimum, 16GB recommended
- Storage: 100GB of internal SSD drive space
- OS: Windows 10/11 (Not S Mode) or macOS 11+
Learn from Industry Experts
Instruction is led by active cybersecurity consultants, security operations managers, and certified trainers who bring years of real-world defense experience to the virtual sandbox labs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Security Operations Center (SOC)?
A SOC is a centralized facility where cybersecurity teams monitor, assess, and defend an organization's systems and databases against cyber threats around the clock.
What tools will I learn to use?
You will gain experience with industry-standard security tools, including Splunk (SIEM), Wireshark (packet capture), Zeek, Snort (IDS), and CrowdStrike Falcon.
How does the ACE college credit recommendation work?
The program has been evaluated and recommended for 3 college credit hours. Upon completion, you can request an official transcript from ACE to transfer these credits to your college or university.