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# System prepended metadata

title: "\U0001F6E1️ Cybersecurity Intern Training Resource Guide (2025)"

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# 🛡️ Cybersecurity Intern Training Resource Guide (2025)

A curated, difficulty‑based roadmap for building Linux, Windows, cybersecurity, cloud, web, and competition skills.

---


## ⭐ Recommended Starting 5 — Windows & PowerShell Track

**If you are starting with Windows, PowerShell, and defensive security, begin with these five resources first.**

  
### **1️⃣ Microsoft PowerShell 101 Learning Path (Official)**

Learn PowerShell fundamentals directly from Microsoft.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/scripting/learn/ps101/01-getting-started?view=powershell-7.5

---

### **2️⃣ TryHackMe — Registry Persistence Detection (Perfect Beginner Room)**

Hands-on, beginner-friendly intro to Windows internals, PowerShell, persistence mechanisms, and detection skills.

https://tryhackme.com/room/registrypersistencedetection



  

---

  

### **3️⃣ UnderTheWire — PowerShell Training Wargame**

Challenge‑based PowerShell missions.

  How to connect: Open command prompt/Powershell and input these commands.
[underthewire-react](https://underthewire.tech/wargames/century/1)
```console
ssh century1@century.underthewire.tech

# password: century1
```
---
### **4️⃣ PowerShell Basics (CyberPatriot Guide)**

Solid introduction to Windows scripting fundamentals.

https://cypat.guide/docs/windows/scripting/introduction_powershell


---
  

### **5️⃣ Windows Basics Slide Deck/Active Directory Room (UBNetDef)**

Great overview of Windows services, AD, and OS internals.

https://ubnetdef.org/slides/spring2024/Windows.pdf
https://tryhackme.com/room/winadbasics


## ⭐ Recommended Starting 5 — Linux Track

  

**If you are starting with Linux, commands, and OS fundamentals, begin with these five resources first.**

  

### **1️⃣ Linux Journey**

Beginner-friendly Linux lessons and command explanations.

https://linuxjourney.com

Use it with the this Browser-based Fedora Linux machine for hands‑on practice.

https://bellard.org/jslinux/vm.html?cpu=riscv64&url=fedora33-riscv.cfg&mem=256

  

--- 

  

### **2️⃣ OverTheWire: Bandit**

Beginner‑friendly CTF that teaches Linux hands‑on  
  https://overthewire.org/wargames/bandit/
  
  How to connect: Open command prompt/Powershell and input these commands.
```console
foo@bar:~$ ssh bandit0@bandit.labs.overthewire.org -p 2220
		   # password: bandit0
```

---

  

### **3️⃣ Linux S24 Slides (UBNetDef)**

Covers Linux basics, perms, processes, and navigation from the scope of Cyber Defense.

https://ubnetdef.org/slides/spring2024/LinuxS24.pdf

  

---

  



### **4️⃣ TryHackMe Linux Beginner Rooms**

Great hands‑on introduction to Linux through guided challenges.
[TryHackMe | Linux Fundamentals](https://tryhackme.com/room/linuxfundamentalspart1)
  

---




### **5️⃣ NCAE Cyber Games MiniHack Sandbox + Walkthrough**

Sandbox: https://ui.sandbox.ncaecybergames.org/challenges

Walkthrough Playlist:

https://youtu.be/gu5A2yCITRs?list=PLqux0fXsj7x3WYm6ZWuJnGC1rXQZ1018M

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# 🌱 Other Beginner Resources 

  

 Already completed the **Recommended Starting 5**? Use the resources below to deepen your foundations.

### 🐧 Linux Basics

- **Intro to Bash (CyberPatriot Guide)** https://cypat.guide/docs/linux/linux_fundamentals/intro_bash

- **pwn.college — Linux Luminarium (Penguin Track)**  
  https://pwn.college/linux-luminarium/
  
## 🪟 PowerShell / Windows Basics

- **PowerShell Playground (Beginner-Friendly)**
A safe, isolated environment for practicing PowerShell commands.
https://powershellforhackers.com/playground/

- **PowerShell Games (Beginner)**
Fun games that teach PowerShell output interpretation, port numbers, and processing logic.
https://powershellforhackers.com/games/

- **TryHackMe Windows Fundamentals Labs 1-3**
https://tryhackme.com/module/windows-fundamentals

## 🎯 LetsDefend Training Modules (Beginner → Advanced)

### 🟩 **Beginner (Should be in the Starting Section)**

- **SOC Fundamentals** — best early module for interns

[https://app.letsdefend.io/training/lessons/soc-fundamentals](https://app.letsdefend.io/training/lessons/soc-fundamentals "https://app.letsdefend.io/training/lessons/soc-fundamentals")

- **SIEM 101**

[https://app.letsdefend.io/training/lessons/siem-101](https://app.letsdefend.io/training/lessons/siem-101 "https://app.letsdefend.io/training/lessons/siem-101")

- **SIEM Basics: Installation & Configuration**

[https://app.letsdefend.io/training/lessons/siem-basics-installation-and-configuration](https://app.letsdefend.io/training/lessons/siem-basics-installation-and-configuration "https://app.letsdefend.io/training/lessons/siem-basics-installation-and-configuration")

- **Building a SOC Lab at Home** — supplemental hands-on module

[https://app.letsdefend.io/training/lessons/building-a-soc-lab-at-home](https://app.letsdefend.io/training/lessons/building-a-soc-lab-at-home "https://app.letsdefend.io/training/lessons/building-a-soc-lab-at-home")



## 🧰 Essential Beginner Tools (Windows, Logs, Regex)

  

### 🔡 Regex Learning (Used for File Exclusions in the Internship)

- Regexr — https://regexr.com/

Great for interns learning regex for file exclusions, log filtering, and detection engineering.

## 🎯 Beginner CTFs / Cyber
- **PicoCTF** — The best cyber/CTF platform for beginners  
  https://play.picoctf.org/  
- **CTF101** — Intro to CTF concepts  
  https://ctf101.org/
- **MetaCTF** - Beginner to Advanced CTFs 
https://metactf.com/
- **Network Packet Analysis (LetsDefend)** - Course on Wireshark, TCPdump and more!
https://app.letsdefend.io/training/lessons/network-packet-analysis

## 🎥 NCAE Cyber Games YouTube Channel (Beginner Competition Training)

- **NCAE Cyber Games YouTube**

A beginner‑focused cybersecurity competition channel with **excellent hands‑on demos** for Linux defense, detection, red teaming basics, and general cyber competition fundamentals. Great for visual learners and those preparing for beginner CTFs or cyber games.

https://www.youtube.com/@ncaecybergames

## 🧪 Beginner Labs
- **TryHackMe (Beginner Rooms — Linux + Windows)**  
 - Main beginner labs: https://tryhackme.com/hacktivities 
 - - **Start with:** *Pre-Security Path* 
 - - Threat Hunting Simulator: https://tryhackme.com/threat-hunting-sim/scenarios 
 - - SOC Simulator: https://tryhackme.com/soc-sim
- **NCAE MiniHack 2025 Sandbox Challenges**
This is a great lab to learn networking, how a scoring engine works, and some CTF practice.  
  https://ui.sandbox.ncaecybergames.org/challenges  
 - - Walkthrough playlist:  
  https://youtu.be/gu5A2yCITRs?list=PLqux0fXsj7x3WYm6ZWuJnGC1rXQZ1018M
  
- **Hack the Box Starting Point** 
Great Beginner hacking labs for new people
   https://app.hackthebox.com/starting-point
- **Splunk Boss of the SOC (BOTS) — Splunk CTF**  
         A hands‑on Capture‑the‑Flag style platform that teaches you how to use **SIEM tools, log analysis, threat hunting, 		and detection engineering** using Splunk.  
- - Perfect for learning real SOC workflows in a gamified way.  
https://bots.splunk.com/login?redirect=/

## 🛡️ CyberPatriot Practice
- **Practice Images (Linux/Windows Administration)**  
  Excellent hands‑on experience for real system administration tasks.  
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cdVHtk4w5JDJCYy-EO2_ycr0ZqMgUyjFOVDn5Y8eGVw/edit

- **VMware Workstation/Fusion Archives** (required to run practice images):  
  - Workstation 17.x (Windows/Linux): https://dn710001.ca.archive.org/0/items/vmwareworkstationarchive/17.x/  
  - Fusion 13.x (Mac): https://dn710001.ca.archive.org/0/items/vmwareworkstationarchive/Fusion/13.x/

- **Guide for the CyberPatriot Practice Images**  
  Excellent walkthrough and hardening guide for images.  
  https://cypat.guide/




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# 🔧 Some Knowledge (Intermediate‑Level)

For students who know basic Linux/Windows and want to build deeper skills.

### 🐧 Linux & Systems

- **SadServers** — Linux, Docker, Kubernetes troubleshooting challenges  
  https://sadservers.com/
- **LabEx** — Linux, DevOps, and cybersecurity labs  
  https://labex.io/learn

### 🟧 Intermediate LetsDefend Modules (General Cyber / SOC / IR)

- **Incident Response — Windows**
https://app.letsdefend.io/training/lessons/incident-response-windows

- **Incident Response — Linux**
https://app.letsdefend.io/training/lessons/incident-response-linux

- **Web Attacks 101** (Intermediate → sometimes advanced)
https://app.letsdefend.io/training/lessons/web-attacks-101

### 🗂️ Windows / AD / Services
- **AD + Linux Lab Setup Guide**  
  Learn how to deploy SSH, NGINX, AD, and more.  
  https://adaptable-april-ff0.notion.site/actually-doing-evan-s-lab-a44ac1a906a74b5abd0b72062454da6c

### 🏁 Competition Resources
- **Plinko Horse Resources**  
  https://plinko.horse/resources

- **Cal Poly Cyber Bootcamp (They do this every summer for free)**  
  https://cysec.team/bootcamps/2025/meeting-1/
  [Cal Poly Swift Discord](https://discord.com/invite/cal-poly-swift-185912981576482816)

- **Securing a Linux Server (Sourque)**
High-quality guide on SSH hardening, file perms, firewalling, auditing, and more.
[https://sourque.com/blog/securing-a-linux-server/#toc_13](https://sourque.com/blog/securing-a-linux-server/#toc_13 "https://sourque.com/blog/securing-a-linux-server/#toc_13")

### 📚 General Cyber Learning
- **O’Reilly Learning Library**  
  Courses for Sec+, CCNA, RHCSA, and more (*Free access for FAU Students*).  
  https://learning.oreilly.com/home/

- **Free Security+/CISSP/Pentest +/CYSA/Python Practice Quizzes**  
https://secquizmaster.pythonanywhere.com/

### ☁️ Cloud Training
- Free Cloud training platform that covers Terraform, Kubernetes, and CI/CD:  
  https://ca-ltc-api-dev.whiteocean-ee25ad60.centralus.azurecontainerapps.io/
https://youtu.be/2cMkpLoKUj0 (Cybersecurity Cloud Homelab using Terraform, Splunk, Nessus)

### 🔐 Cryptography
- **Intro to Cryptography Document**  
  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZMPkTr0VUheMkFEWWmsVwzoTw4zdtoizqsmB2woDAs0/edit?usp=sharing

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# 🧠 Confident (Advanced / Competition Ready)

For students ready to specialize in exploitation, web security, blue team, or lab automation.

### ⚙️ Exploit Development & Advanced Linux
- **pwn.college — Full Platform**  
  Linux, exploitation, CTF prep, and advanced training.  
  https://pwn.college/

 
### 🌐 Web Security
- **PortSwigger Web Security Academy**  
  Industry‑leading web exploitation training.  
  https://portswigger.net/web-security

- **Web Exploitation YouTube Playlist**  
  https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnLaWkc9xRitBGPK5CcyoWCcPCeTYoqw

### 🛡️ Blue/Red Team Platforms
- **Hack The Box** (Intermediate → Advanced labs)  
  https://hackthebox.com/

### 🧱 Advanced Practice Environments
- **WRCCDC Proxmox Server Setup (Club Documentation)**  
  [Documentation on how i set up my proxmox server and how to set up your own practice environment.](https://github.com/caol777/Club-proxmox-server)  
[Archived environments from past competitions.](https://archive.wrccdc.org/images/2026/)

### 🤖 Automation & Infrastructure
- **Ludus Cloud** — Automates AD/blue team labs with Ansible  
  https://docs.ludus.cloud/

### 🧰 Competition / Hardening Scripts
- **CCDC Scripts (Club GitHub Repo)**  
  https://github.com/caol777/CCDC-scripts/tree/main

### 🎓 Advanced Technical Content
- **DefSecClub (Dakota State University)**  
  Deep‑dive Linux/Windows security and competition prep.  
  https://www.youtube.com/@DefSecClub

- **DFIR Cheat Sheet (Advanced Scripting, Forensics, Triage)**
https://www.jaiminton.com/cheatsheet/DFIR/


### 🟥 Advanced Knowledge (Windows Forensics)

- **Windows Forensics (LetsDefend Advanced Module)**

[https://app.letsdefend.io/training/lessons/windows-forensics](https://app.letsdefend.io/training/lessons/windows-forensics "https://app.letsdefend.io/training/lessons/windows-forensics")

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# 🎥 YouTube Learning Resources (All Levels)

  

A curated list of highly recommended YouTube channels that teach cybersecurity, IT, DevOps, malware analysis, low‑level programming, and government technology career pathways.

  

---

  

### 🏛️ Government / Public Sector IT & Cyber

- **Symone B**

Gov‑tech YouTuber who explains how to enter government roles in IT, cybersecurity, and federal contracting. Great for students seeking public‑sector cyber careers.

https://www.youtube.com/@symonebeez/videos

  

---

  

### 🚀 DevOps, Cloud, Containers, & Automation

- **TechWorld With Nana**

One of the best DevOps creators with beginner‑friendly and visual explanations of Kubernetes, Docker, CI/CD, GitOps, and more.

Courses include: *Kubernetes*, *Docker*, *Python Zero to Hero*, and more.

https://www.youtube.com/@TechWorldwithNana

Python Zero to Hero: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8pPdKYpowI

  

---

  

### 📚 Certification Training (CompTIA A+ / Net+ / Sec+)

- **Professor Messer**

The gold standard for free CompTIA training videos. Use his playlists with practice quizzes to help prepare for the A+, Network+, and Security+ exams.

https://www.youtube.com/@professormesser

  

---

  

### 🧠 Low‑Level Programming & Software Security

- **Low Level TV**

Deep dives into low‑level systems, embedded security, memory safety, firmware hacking, and reverse engineering concepts. Amazing for developing a strong technical foundation.

https://www.youtube.com/@LowLevelTV

  

---

  

### 🔥 Practical Cybersecurity, CTFs, Malware & Tools

- **John Hammond**

One of the most respected cybersecurity creators. Covers CTF walkthroughs, TryHackMe rooms, Hack The Box, malware analysis, PowerShell, AD, Bash, Python, and real-world cyber concepts.

Excellent for beginners and intermediate learners.

https://www.youtube.com/@_JohnHammond

  

- **Eric Parker**

Specializes in reverse engineering and malware analysis. Great for blue‑teamers and those exploring malware internals and RE tooling.

https://www.youtube.com/@EricParker

  

---

  

### 🌐 General IT, Cyber, Networking, and Career Advice

- **NetworkChuck**

Massive channel covering IT careers, networking, Linux basics, cybersecurity, cloud, Python, and more — highly energetic and beginner‑friendly.

https://www.youtube.com/@NetworkChuck/videos

  
  

### 🗡️ Penetration Testing & Ethical Hacking

- **Tyler Ramsbey**

Amazing penetration testing content, including hands-on demos, custom labs, and walkthroughs.

https://www.youtube.com/@TylerRamsbey/videos

  

- **GnarCoding**

A funny and engaging ethical hacking creator who makes complex topics enjoyable and accessible. Great for beginners.

https://www.youtube.com/@GnarCoding