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Steph's Security Resources

Starting out

How do I learn more about security? How do I get hands on practice outside school/internships?

TryHackMe

  • I like TryHackMe a lot for starting out from scratch, it doesn't require much programming knowledge and teaches linux basics
  • has some great simple explanations for important concepts like networks and TLS

HackTheBox

  • better for those who have some knowledge of programming & OS, more challenging than TryHackMe

Google Gruyere

  • a vulnerable python application that lets you learn and patch web vulnerabilities in source code
  • best for those with good grasp of web application topics and python
  • did I mention you can actually patch vulnerabilities in code? very cool

OWASP Juice Shop

  • a vulnerable web app that teaches you the top web vulnerabilities
  • beginner friendly

WeHackPurple

  • videos that give a high-level overview of concepts in application security
  • some nice pdfs with lists of common tools used in industry

PicoCTF

  • a capture the flag game that is permanently available (not just for a competition)
  • great beginner challenges

Computerphile Youtube Channel

  • has nice high-level overviews of security topics like password cracking, cryptography, and vulnerabilities like SQL injection

OverTheWire

  • a beginner-friendly site with CTF challenges

For everyone

Cool newsletters, podcasts, and communities to learn

tl;dr sec by Clint Gibler

  • weekly email

this week in security by Zack Whittaker

  • weekly email

Darknet Diaries by Jack Rhysider

  • episodes about major security incidents:
    • 19: Operation Aurora, major 2009 cyberattack against big companies like Google
    • 29: Stuxnet, 2010 computer worm that damanged Iran's nuclear program
    • 53, 71, 72, 73: Wannacry, 2017 ransomware attack on Windows
    • 54: NotPetya, 2017 cyberattack on Ukraine
    • 86: 2012 Linkedin data breach
  • other cool episodes:
    • 63: Vodafone Greece & Athens Olympics
    • 92: the Pirate Bay
    • 93: Kik (started at UWaterloo)

OWASP foundation

  • has local chapters across the world with talks, networking events, conferences
  • focused on application security but has people across many areas in security
  • great resources to learn like Juice Shop

Conferences

most of these have student scholarships available

Security BSides

  • a local security conference hosted in major cities around the world
  • probably has a conference near you, happens yearly
  • good quality technical talks, good for networking with local employers & cool security people
  • big BSides conferences: BSides San Francisco, BSides Las Vegas

DefCon

  • the big annual hacking conference in summer in Las Vegas
  • great hands-on workshops, many CTFs, different "village" groups host content on different areas in security (ie Blue Team Village, AppSec Village, etc)

USENIX conferences

Usually more research and student focused

  • Security Symposium
  • Symposium on Usable Privacy and Security (SOUPS)
  • Enigma

OWASP Global AppSec US

  • also has an annual EU conference

SANS Summmits

  • free to attend virtually since the pandemic

PancakesCon

  • a casual, virtual beginner-friendly conference

ReCon

  • held annually in Montreal
  • focused on reverse engineering
  • expensive

diversity focused security conferences

Day of Shecurity

  • pre-pandemic, used to host IRL event in San Francisco annually

the Diana Initiative

  • annually in Las Vegas (& hybrid)
  • beginner-friendly events like mentorship, resume workshops, beginner friendly CTF

WiCyS

  • annually in the US (variable location)
  • has student chapters across the world

other more corporate conferences

not very budget friendly, usually aimed at higher level industry leaders. many vendors come to sell their security products to companies. don't recommend going as a student unless it's free:)

RSA

SecTor

  • basically BlackHat in Toronto

BlackHat

  • annually in Las Vegas, right before DefCon

UWaterloo Resources

are you a UWaterloo student? consider these courses and resources!

  • courses
    • CO 487: Applied Cryptography
    • CS 458/658: Computer Security and Privacy
    • CS 758: Cryptography/Network Security
    • ECE 628: Computer Network Security
    • ECE 716: Communication Security
    • check out CrySP's course list (not updated)
  • research
  • financial aid for students attending conferences
    • if you're part of the faculty of math, check out funding grants
    • if you're in another faculty, you probably have something similar
  • KW Cybersecurity meetup group

Final thoughts

it's easy to be overwhelmed with resources and information when starting out; make sure to prioritize what's most important for your goals and manage your time outside school/work so you don't burn out. keep it as simple as possible.

I also acknowledge everyone's learning style is different; I learn best with hands-on and visual resources, so most of my list is hands-on workshops or videos. if you learn best through reading, there are many great lists of books out there on security topics.

top resources I used as a beginner with technical background:

  • TryHackMe
  • Darknet Diaries podcast
  • Computerphile youtube channel
  • other students interested in security