The architect of the PISCES International cyber analyst curriculum Michael Tsikerdekis has published a book on taking you from zero to hero (no prerequisites) to ultimately become a security analyst. There are a bunch of illustrations to reduce the cognitive load. The book covers all the necessary analyst theory and there is a freely accessible repository for the technical aspects using Opensearch (using the Malcolm platform) as the main interface.

The following is a description of the book:

Unlock the power of network security with Overnight Hercules for Network Security, your ultimate guide to becoming a skilled security analyst. Authored by Michail Tsikerdekis, an IEEE Senior Member and U.S. Fulbright Scholar, this hands-on manual offers practical strategies, real-world case studies, and cutting-edge tools to help you safeguard networks against evolving cyber threats. No prior security knowledge is required whether you’re just starting out or leveling up your skills. You’ll gain expertise in threat detection, network defense, and AI-driven security techniques—all while preparing for a thriving career in cybersecurity.

Overnight Hercules for Network Security: Become a Security Analyst on Amazon

(This article was originally published on SFCC)

[SPOKANE, Wash.] — Kory Bruno grew up playing computer games where he could be one destroying data and hacking networks. Now the Spokane Falls Community College alumni spends every day doing top secret work defending against the cybercriminals he imitated in online games.

The opening of the Spokane Falls Cyber Center is expanding student interest in the cyber field and training the future workforce through industry partnerships.

Through a partnership between the cyber program and the Public Infrastructure Security Cyber Education System (PISCES), students are gaining real work experience as cyber analysts.

Bruno is one of 10 students who completed the IS 248 – Security Operations Center Analyst pilot course this year as an addition to his associate of applied science in information technology/cybersecurity.

At the end of their work in the PISCES software, students are granted a certificate that is fully sanctioned by PISCES and formally acknowledged by the Department of Homeland Security.

“Having this certificate puts us above entry level,” Bruno said. “I really like that they’re doing this to give students hands on experience.”

Bruno enrolled in the security operations center course to bolster his resumé, not knowing it’d lead to somewhat of a dream job.

“It’s not part of the defender track curriculum but I wanted to do this class because of what it was offering, and I knew it’s where I wanted to go,” Bruno said.

Through a simple message of interest to the PISCES contact, Bruno secured full-time employment because of his combination of certifications and experience.

He began work as an Operations Engineer at PISCES on June 1, where he uses his skills to protect local municipalities in communities that don’t have budgets allocated to cyber protection.

“The environment here is awesome and the partnerships are great. The program specifically partners with students and local municipalities,” Bruno said. “I don’t know what else I’d be doing.”

Program Lead and SFCC IT Professor Mark Neufville said the partnership between PISCES and the Security Operations Center course allows students to look at real life security data, do research and input information into the system for analysis.

“This program is a direct entry into the workforce. There is a direct need for these students right now,” Neufville said.” This class is the first step in being a cybersecurity analyst. They’re all doing real work.”

Intersect Insight LLC, an international business development and enterprise viability consultancy, has partnered with PISCES International to expand its global presence.

Intersect Insight will identify opportunities for partnerships among international universities, cybersecurity agencies, and community organizations interested in adopting the successful PISCES model. Enhancing the capabilities of the cybersecurity workforce and safeguarding critical infrastructure must become a global priority. Although our initial focus is in Europe and the U.K., inquiries from all geographies are encouraged.

A key advantage of the PISCES model is flexibility to adapt its business model and curricula to conditions specific to the needs of potential partners. Intersect Insight’s global presence will support the implementation and management of those partnerships. Please contact www.intersectinsight.com for further information and follow-up.

Associate Professor Michael Tsikerdekis will spend 6 months in Greece in 2025 to research implementing a version of the Public Infrastructure Security Cyber Education System (PISCES) at the University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Greece, working with professor Ioannis Mavridis.

PISCES is a U.S.-based non-profit corporation and program supported by various organizations such as the Department of Homeland Security, state governments, and industry partners to provide free security monitoring to municipalities and boost the education of cybersecurity students.

The goal is to understand the challenges of jump-starting such a program and provide training and support. This also includes studying how students learn to perform as cybersecurity analysts when monitoring real-world traffic. Research on how to effectively prepare the new generation of cybersecurity professionals to address the cybersecurity job gap and build bridges across the two countries is a larger long-term objective of this project.

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, which is the U.S. government’s flagship program of international educational and cultural exchange, sends approximately 800 American scholars and professionals each year to approximately 130 countries. In these nations, they deliver lectures and/or engage in research across a diverse range of academic and professional discipline.

(This article was originally published on Statescoop)

The city of Beckley has said it’s still working to identify what data has been affected and how much of an impact that the incident has had on its system, which helps govern a population of roughly 17,000 people. Officials have not declared if it’s a ransomware attack or which group is behind the incident.

“We are working diligently to investigate the source of the incident, confirm the incident’s full scope and impact, and identify whether data may be impacted,” the statement reads.

The cyberattack is one of the first against local governments in 2024, following a year full of cyberattacks targeting all levels of government, including many local governments across the U.S.

In the heart of Big Sky Country, a new chapter in cybersecurity education is unfolding at the University of Montana

Inside the scenic halls of University Center, a small team is emerging, ready to tackle the digital frontiers in partnership with Public Infrastructure Security Cyber Education System (PISCES)- the pioneering organization at the forefront of data security training.

Ford Powers, a representative from PISCES and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), has been collaborating with a team inside the University of Montana (UMT) Security Operations Center (SOC) to officially launch the PISCES program at the university. PISCES offers no-cost cybersecurity monitoring to small local governments. Simultaneously, their innovative approach utilizes metadata and alerts collected from those networks as “live fire” curriculum, engaging with over 20 colleges and universities across the country to train the next generation of cybersecurity network analysts – the 10th-fastest growing job in the country.

The UMT team is composed of Jace, the SOC manager, and his diligent student interns, Phoebe and Ryan.

Beginning with the basics, the students and staff began navigating the PISCES stack, ticket-management in MantisBT, and data mining in Kibana. Armed with newfound knowledge, they delved deeper into the intricate dance of security analysis, deciphering the cryptic messages hidden within the PISCES communities.

In the midst of the hundreds of thousands of alerts, Phoebe’s keen eye caught something interesting and she raised a question— why does this particular alert contain a JA3 Hash bearing the ominous moniker Trojan.AndroidOS.Jocker? The team began to unravel the digital threads, uncovering a theoretical clandestine presence lurking within the particular community’s network. It was a moment of revelation, as Phoebe and Ryan realized they had very well stumbled upon their maiden discovery— a potential threat of the highest order.

Together, they meticulously pieced together the puzzle, researching quickly but thouroughly, ultimately working with the staff to contact the community and alert them to the potential threat that loomed within their midst. Days later, a response echoed back, confirming their suspicions— a rogue Android tablet had been identified within the community’s Water Treatment Plant network, a silent sentinel harboring unseen dangers.

With the stage set, a PISCES’ oversight analyst, stepped into the fray, guiding the community through the labyrinth of verifying and remediating this threat. Through a delicate dance of investigation and collaboration, the true nature of the risk was finally identified— a quirk in the tablet’s installed apps was now secure and the observed alert was removed from this communities’ critical infrastructure.

This is just a small example of the critical work happening at schools around the nation participating in the PISCES program. Partnering together with communities and students, forging ahead into the digital unknown, where each discovery brings them one step closer to securing the future of Montana and the nations’ cyber landscape.

PISCES: infrastructure protection, work force development, research.

Find out more about PISCES at piscesintl.wpenginepowered.com.