Hey everyone, and welcome back to The CyberFreshy Files. It’s been a week since I kicked things off, and I’ve already gotten a few messages from people who are also making the leap into cybersecurity—so first off, thanks for reading. I said I’d be sharing my journey, and today I want to dive into where I’m at now: learning how to become an Information Security Specialist.

But this isn’t just about theory or checkboxes—it’s about learning skills I can actually use in the real world. That’s been my focus lately, and the progress feels real.

Why I Chose the LetsDefend Path

After earning a few solid certifications like the ISC2 CC and the Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst cert, I wanted something more hands-on. Watching videos is great, but I needed a platform where I could practice, break things, and think like an analyst.

That’s when I found LetsDefend. I had already completed their Cybersecurity for Students path and loved the practical labs, so I decided to go for the more in-depth Information Security Specialist Path.

It’s designed for people who want to get real experience in things like incident response, threat analysis, and handling SIEM alerts. In short—it’s exactly the kind of training I was looking for.

After earning a few solid certifications like the ISC2 CC and the Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst cert, I wanted something more hands-on. Watching videos is great, but I needed a platform where I could practice, break things, and think like an analyst.

That’s when I found LetsDefend. I had already completed their Cybersecurity for Students path and loved the practical labs, so I decided to go for the more in-depth Information Security Specialist Path.

It’s designed for people who want to get real experience in things like incident response, threat analysis, and handling SIEM alerts. In short—it’s exactly the kind of training I was looking for.

What I’m Learning (and Loving)

So far, this path has covered a wide range of skills and scenarios. A few highlights:

Threat Intelligence & Detection: Learning how to recognize early signs of malicious activity and how attackers operate

Incident Response: Stepping into the shoes of a responder and understanding how to contain, investigate, and learn from incidents

SIEM Tools: Reviewing logs, analyzing alerts, and building a muscle for identifying what matters and what doesn’t

GRC Concepts: Understanding the role of governance, policies, and risk—something I’m increasingly drawn to

What I really like is how each lab puts you in the mindset of a security analyst. It’s not just learning tools—it’s learning how to think.

Applying My Learning at Work

Here’s the cool part: the stuff I’m learning isn’t just theoretical—it’s making an impact at work.

In my current role as a Technical Support Specialist at Fuze Logistics, I’ve had the chance to roll out Microsoft Purview and DLP solutions, support endpoint compliance initiatives, and directly contribute to improving our organization’s security posture.

One of my biggest wins? Doubling our Azure Secure Score by refining our policies and implementing stronger configurations. That progress didn’t come from guessing—it came from studying real-world security best practices and putting them into action.

This kind of overlap between learning and doing has been a game-changer. It’s showing me that I’m not just learning cybersecurity—I’m becoming a part of it.

Tips for Other CyberFreshies

If you’re just getting started in InfoSec, here’s what I’d recommend:

Start with a foundation – Certifications like the ISC2 CC are a great way to get your feet wet and build confidence

Find a platform that fits your style – If you’re like me and love to learn by doing, platforms like LetsDefend or TryHackMe are worth checking out

Look for small wins at work – Even if your title isn’t “Security Analyst,” you can still improve systems, secure endpoints, or raise awareness

The Journey Continues

This is just the beginning of my journey into cybersecurity, but I already feel like I’m building something solid—skills, habits, and real-world wins. I’ll keep sharing as I move through the LetsDefend path and explore where I want to specialize next.

Got questions? Curious about getting into InfoSec yourself? I’d love to chat.

Until next time—

Stay fresh, stay secure.

– CyberFreshy