Cybersecurity Bootcamp — Specialist Track

SOC Analyst Track

ISC² CC · CompTIA Network+ · CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) · CompTIA CySA+ (CS0-003)

South Africa’s most in-demand cybersecurity role. The SOC Analyst Track trains you to monitor, detect, investigate and respond to real-world cyber threats — using the same tools and workflows as professional security operations centres. Graduate with CySA+ exam readiness and a portfolio of incident response reports.

Splunk Microsoft Sentinel Security Onion Zeek Suricata Volatility FTK Imager Wireshark SOAR
260 hrs
Training
3
Modules
4
Certs Aligned
~3 Months
Full-Time
R28,000
Track Fee

Three Modules. One Clear Career Path.

The SOC Analyst Track combines networking foundations, core security and specialist blue team operations into a single employment-ready programme.

M1

IT & Networking Foundations

ISC² CC CompTIA Network+

Build a rock-solid networking foundation. OSI & TCP/IP models, subnetting, DNS, DHCP, Wireshark packet analysis and your first Kali Linux lab setup. No prior experience required.

M2

Core Security Fundamentals

CompTIA Security+ SY0-701

Master the security essentials. Threats and vulnerabilities, cryptography, PKI, firewalls, IDS/IPS, vulnerability scanning, identity management, and compliance frameworks including POPIA and NIST.

M4

Blue Team & SOC Operations

CompTIA CySA+ CS0-003

Deploy and operate a full SIEM stack. Threat hunting, detection engineering, incident response, digital forensics, Splunk dashboards, Microsoft Sentinel and SOAR automation playbooks.

Week-by-Week Curriculum Highlights

From networking fundamentals to SOC reporting — a structured progression through 18 weeks of hands-on training.

Weeks 1–2
Networking Foundations
OSI model, TCP/IP stack, DNS, DHCP, routing and switching fundamentals. Build the networking knowledge every SOC analyst depends on.
Weeks 3–4
Network Tools & Lab Setup
Wireshark packet captures, Kali Linux installation, virtual machine configuration. Set up your personal security lab environment.
Weeks 5–6
Security Concepts & Threat Landscape
Threat actors, attack vectors, malware types, social engineering and the cyber kill chain. Understand what you will be defending against.
Weeks 7–8
Cryptography, PKI & Access Control
Symmetric and asymmetric encryption, hashing, digital certificates, PKI infrastructure and identity access management.
Weeks 9–10
Firewalls, IDS/IPS & Vulnerability Scanning
Configure firewalls, deploy intrusion detection and prevention systems, run vulnerability scans with Nessus and OpenVAS.
Weeks 11–13
SIEM Deployment & Log Analysis
Deploy Splunk and Microsoft Sentinel. Ingest and normalise logs, create dashboards, write detection rules and build correlation searches.
Weeks 14–15
Threat Hunting & Detection Engineering
Proactive threat hunting with Zeek, Suricata and Security Onion. Write custom detection rules, analyse network traffic patterns and identify indicators of compromise.
Weeks 16–17
Incident Response & Digital Forensics
IR playbooks, evidence acquisition, memory analysis with Volatility, disk imaging with FTK Imager, chain of custody and forensic reporting.
Week 18
SOC Reporting, Playbooks & SOAR Automation
Build SOC runbooks and standard operating procedures. Configure SOAR automation workflows. Capstone: end-to-end incident response exercise with full reporting.

Four Industry Certifications. One Track.

Every module aligns to at least one internationally recognised certification. Graduate exam-ready and employer-credible.

🔐

ISC² CC

Entry-level security certification from ISC². Validates foundational cybersecurity knowledge and opens the door to the ISC² professional pathway.

🔌

CompTIA Network+

Networking skills foundation for security professionals. Covers infrastructure, troubleshooting and the network knowledge every SOC analyst needs.

🛡

CompTIA Security+
SY0-701

The gold standard entry-level security certification. Recognised worldwide by employers, government agencies and defence contractors.

🔮

CompTIA CySA+
CS0-003

The defensive security certification purpose-built for SOC analysts. Validates threat detection, analysis, incident response and security monitoring skills.

Built for Defenders

Detail-oriented problem solvers, IT professionals wanting to move into security monitoring, anyone who wants to be on the front line defending organisations against cyber attacks.

🛡
Detail-Oriented Defenders

You’re methodical, analytical and enjoy investigating problems. You want a cybersecurity career focused on defence, detection and response rather than offensive hacking.

  • No prior IT experience required — Module 1 starts from zero
  • Ideal for career changers drawn to security monitoring
  • Strong fit if you enjoy data analysis and pattern recognition
  • Build a portfolio of real incident response reports
  • SOC analyst is the most in-demand entry-level security role in SA
🛠
IT Professionals Moving to Blue Team

You’re already in IT — helpdesk, networking, system administration — and you want to pivot into security operations. This track formalises your knowledge and adds the SOC-specific skills employers require.

  • Skip Module 1 if you can pass the networking assessment
  • Security+ and CySA+ certify what you already know
  • Hands-on Splunk, Sentinel and SOAR lab experience
  • Part-time option — keep your current role while you upskill
  • Natural progression from IT support into a specialist security career

Where This Track Takes You

SOC analysts are the most sought-after cybersecurity professionals in South Africa. Here is where graduates of this track are heading.

Job Titles You Can Target

SOC Analyst (Tier 1/2)
Threat Hunter
Incident Responder
Security Monitoring Analyst
SIEM Engineer
Digital Forensics Analyst

South African Salary Ranges

Entry-Level R300K – R700K
Mid-Level R800K – R1.2M
Senior / Lead R1.2M – R2M+

SOC Analyst Track Pricing

Bundle all three modules and save R4,000 — or take modules individually at your own pace.

⭐ Most In-Demand
SOC Analyst Track (Bundle)
Module 1 + Module 2 + Module 4 · 260 hours
R 28 000
Save R4,000 vs individual module prices (R32,000)
IT & Networking Foundations (M1 — 80 hrs)
Core Security Fundamentals (M2 — 80 hrs)
Blue Team & SOC Operations (M4 — 100 hrs)
4 certification preparations included
Splunk, Sentinel, SOAR hands-on labs
Incident response portfolio project
24-month access window

Or Take Modules Individually

Start with one module and add more within your 24-month window.

M1: IT & Networking Foundations
80 hours · ISC² CC, Network+
R9,500
M2: Core Security Fundamentals
80 hours · Security+ SY0-701
R10,500
M4: Blue Team & SOC Operations
100 hours · CySA+ CS0-003
R12,000
Individual total: R32,000
Want all six modules?
Full Cybersecurity Bootcamp Certificate

Complete all six modules — including Ethical Hacking, Blue Team and GRC & Cloud — for the full Cybersecurity Bootcamp Certificate. Three tier options available.

Standard
R49,500
Elite
R79,000

Certification exam fees are not included in the track or bootcamp fee. · B-BBEE Level 4 supplier. · Qualifies as SDL spend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need IT experience to start the SOC Analyst Track? +

No prior IT or cybersecurity experience is required. The SOC Analyst Track begins with Module 1 — IT & Networking Foundations — which starts from absolute zero. You will learn networking, Linux and set up your own home lab before progressing to security and SOC operations. If you already have an IT background, you may be able to skip Module 1 after a short assessment.

Which certifications does the SOC Analyst Track prepare me for? +

The SOC Analyst Track prepares you for four internationally recognised certifications: ISC² Certified in Cybersecurity (CC), CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) and CompTIA CySA+ (CS0-003). Each module includes mock exams and exam-aligned content so you are fully prepared before sitting the official exam.

How long does the SOC Analyst Track take? +

The SOC Analyst Track is 260 training hours across three modules. Full-time students typically complete the track in approximately 3 months. Part-time students can complete it in roughly 6 months. All sessions are recorded for catch-up, and you have a 24-month window to complete your modules.

Are certification exam fees included? +

Exam fees are not included in the track fee. Your tuition covers all training materials, lab environments and mock exams to prepare you fully before you sit the official certification exam. Exam vouchers can be purchased at additional cost. The Professional and Elite bootcamp tiers include exam vouchers if you prefer a bundled option.

What tools will I learn in the SOC Analyst Track? +

You will gain hands-on experience with the same tools used in professional security operations centres: Splunk and Microsoft Sentinel for SIEM, Security Onion for network security monitoring, Zeek and Suricata for network detection, Wireshark for packet analysis, Volatility and FTK Imager for digital forensics, and SOAR platforms for automated incident response.

What does a SOC analyst earn in South Africa? +

Entry-level SOC analysts in South Africa earn between R300,000 and R700,000 per year. Mid-level analysts with CompTIA CySA+ or equivalent experience earn R800,000 to R1.2 million. Senior SOC analysts, threat hunters and incident response leads can earn R1.2 million to R2 million or more. Cybersecurity remains one of the highest-demand, highest-paying IT career paths in South Africa.

Ready to defend against cyber threats?

The SOC Analyst Track is South Africa’s most in-demand cybersecurity career path. Apply today and start your journey into security operations.

⚡ 5-minute application
🔒 No commitment
✉ Reply within 24 hours
⭐ Most in-demand track