Welcome to Home Security Operations Center (HSOC) Cyber!

A Cybersecurity Consultation and Training Company

Certified by action, not just paper!

A Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business

Cybersecurity starts at home!

"HSOC Cyber Skills-First Fellowship - Certifed by Action, Not Just Paper!"

"HSOC Cyber Skills-First Fellowship - Certifed by Action, Not Just Paper!"

HSOC Cyber Skills-First Fellowship

What You'll Need:

  • A modern laptop or desktop computer (minimum 16GB RAM; 32GB or higher preferred)

  • A positive, proactive attitude with a willingness to take on new challenges

  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in teams

  • Strong time management skills to meet deadlines

  • Commitment to attend bi-weekly team meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30pm to 8:30pm EST

Andre Harris

"The HSOC Cyber Internship Program (now called the HSOC Cyber Skills-First Fellowhip) has had a transformative impact on my career. Thanks to the hands-on experience and invaluable knowledge I gained through this internship, I’ve been offered opportunities in both the commercial and public sectors, and accepted one with a federal agency. Whether you’re looking to break into tech or take your skills to the next level, this program is a must. I highly recommend signing up today!"

Try this Challenge

Can You Decode This? Try It Now!


Cybersecurity professionals, like SOC Analysts, are often tasked with decoding encrypted messages. Think you’ve got what it takes?

Scenario:

"HSOC Cyber uses the U2tpbGxzLUZpcnN0 approach to cybersecurity."

Your Mission:

  1. Copy and paste the unfamiliar word into Google or your preferred search engine.

  2. Type “decode U2tpbGxzLUZpcnN0” in the search bar.

  3. You should see this in your search: https://www.base64decode.org/

  4. What is the answer?

But What Is Base64?

Base64 is an encoding scheme often used to represent binary data in text format, making it easier to transfer over text-based systems like email or web APIs. It's widely used in cybersecurity, especially for safely transmitting or embedding sensitive data. As a SOC analyst or security engineer, knowing how to decode Base64 helps you uncover hidden payloads, analyze malware, and spot phishing links.

Bonus Step:

Use CTRL+F on the homepage and enter the whole sentence. You should be able to find the correct answer hidden somewhere on the homepage!

But This Scenario Isn't Over Yet...

Now that you’ve completed the challenge, dive deeper into encryption. Learn more about Base64, how encoding/decoding works, and why encryption is a fundamental part of protecting data. Try encoding your own message, or research how other encoding and encryption techniques—like AES or RSA—are used in cybersecurity.

If you found the answer, you’ve got what it takes to become a Skills-First Fellow. This is just a glimpse into the work experience you’ll gain with HSOC Cyber. For more advanced challenges and to test your critical thinking, contact us for information on how to join our program.

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Amber White

"HSOC Cyber gave me the support in my journey to understand my full potential, allowing me to think bigger, learn new skills, and continuously expand my knowledge within the ever-evolving cyber field."

Contact Us

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Decoded sentence answer: “HSOC Cyber uses the Skills-First approach to cybersecurity.“