LE No. 13: SOC200 (DFIR!) is coming... SOC100 is over-performing? CDA pre-req adjustment!
Overview
Level Effect announces significant curriculum updates, revealing that SOC100 fundamentals training has exceeded performance expectations, necessitating modifications to CDA prerequisite structures.
Key Announcements
**SOC200 Course Reveal** - A new advanced course focusing on Digital Forensics and Incident Response launches this Friday, designed for students progressing beyond CDA.
**CDA Winter 2025** - Registration remains open with spots filling quickly ahead of the March 10th start date. Scholarship deadline extended to February 24th at 9 AM EST.
SOC100 Performance & Restructuring
SOC100 has proven significantly more effective than anticipated. Students are "getting over-qualified for starting CDA than anticipated by halfway through SOC100-2." The organization observed that some students secure employment after just SOC100-1, and many perform advanced triage work before completing prerequisites.
**New Exam Structure:**
- SOC100-1 through -5 each receive individual certification exams
- SOC100-3 awards certification upon VSOC completion
- SOC100-4 features heavy technical scenario questions
Revised CDA Requirements
**Hard Requirements:**
- Complete SOC100-1 and pass exam
- Complete SOC100-2 content
**Optional:**
- SOC100-2 exam
- SOC100-3 VSOC certification
- SOC100-4 exam
Students may pursue all modules before or after CDA without bottlenecking progression.
Upcoming Content
- **SOC100-2 Certification** unlocks Monday with enhanced VSOC features
- **LinkedIn Event:** "Elevating Alert Classification" featuring instructor Jonathan Johnson discussing SOC200
- **Class 28 Recording:** Introduction to Cyber Threat Intelligence now available
- Community celebrations of SOC100-1 certification achievements
Tools & Resources
Featured home lab tools include Ludus environment guides and Lume, a CLI for managing virtual machines on Apple Silicon.
Philosophy
"Do you want to work ON your home lab, or IN your home lab?" - emphasizing practical application over setup overhead.