Inside the SOC: How Junior Analysts Actually Get Hired with NEVERHACK Estonia Head of SOC

Everyone says cybersecurity is desperate for people. So why is it so hard for a junior analyst to get hired? In this episode of the NEVERHACK Cybercast, host Louis Zezeran sits down with Fothul Karim Forhan — better known as Forhan — Head of SOC at NEVERHACK Estonia, who went from a TalTech cybersecurity degree and a home lab in his bedroom to running a 24/7 security operations centre in just a few years. Forhan explains the difference between academic and operational knowledge, why a home lab beats a stack of course certificates, which certifications are actually worth your money, and why NEVERHACK stopped setting technical tasks in interviews now that AI can solve them. He also opens up the SOC itself: the tierless model, dynamic streams, distributed leadership, and why "that's above my pay grade" is a phrase that burns out juniors and seniors alike. Practical, honest career advice from someone who is hiring right now. Listen, follow the Cybercast for new episodes, and visit neverhack.com to see what our teams are working on.