A curated, difficulty‑based roadmap for building Linux, Windows, cybersecurity, cloud, web, and competition skills.

🌱 Starting Level (Beginner‑Friendly)

Perfect for interns new to Linux, Windows, or cybersecurity fundamentals.

🐧 Linux Basics

  • Linux Journey — Free Linux basics, theory, and commands
    https://linuxjourney.com
  • OverTheWire: Bandit — Beginner‑friendly CTF that teaches Linux hands‑on
    https://overthewire.org/wargames/bandit/ How to connect? Command Prompt or Powershell
foo@bar:~$ ssh bandit0@bandit.labs.overthewire.org -p 2220
		   # password: bandit0

  • Linux S24 Slides https://ubnetdef.org/slides/spring2024/LinuxS24.pdf

  • Intro to Bash (CyberPatriot Guide) https://cypat.guide/docs/linux/linux_fundamentals/intro_bash

  • Practice Linux Systems - JSLinux (Online Fedora VM) https://bellard.org/jslinux/vm.html?cpu=riscv64&url=fedora33-riscv.cfg&mem=256 Online fedora Linux machine to use for practice.

🪟 PowerShell / Windows Basics

  • Intro to PowerShell (CyberPatriot Guide) https://cypat.guide/docs/windows/scripting/introduction_powershell

  • UnderTheWire — PowerShell‑focused wargame
    underthewire-react How to connect? Use Command Prompt or Powershell 
    foo@bar:~$ ssh century1@century.underthewire.tech 
         # password: century1
  • Windows Basics Slide Deck https://ubnetdef.org/slides/spring2024/Windows.pdf

🎯 Beginner CTFs / Cyber

  • PicoCTF — The best cyber/CTF platform for beginners
    https://play.picoctf.org/
  • CTF101 — Intro to CTF concepts
    https://ctf101.org/
  • MetaCTF - Beginner to Advanced CTFs https://metactf.com/

🎥 NCAE Cyber Games YouTube Channel (Beginner Competition Training)

  • NCAE Cyber Games YouTube

A beginner‑focused cybersecurity competition channel with excellent hands‑on demos for Linux defense, detection, red teaming basics, and general cyber competition fundamentals. Great for visual learners and those preparing for beginner CTFs or cyber games.

https://www.youtube.com/@ncaecybergames

🧪 Beginner Labs

  • TryHackMe (Beginner Rooms — Linux + Windows)
  • Main beginner labs: https://tryhackme.com/hacktivities
    • Start with: Pre-Security Path
    • Threat Hunting Simulator: https://tryhackme.com/threat-hunting-sim/scenarios
    • SOC Simulator: https://tryhackme.com/soc-sim [TryHackMe | SOC Simulator (https://tryhackme.com/soc-sim)
  • NCAE MiniHack 2025 Sandbox Challenges This is a great lab to learn networking, how a scoring engine works, and some CTF practice.
    https://ui.sandbox.ncaecybergames.org/challenges
    • Walkthrough playlist:
      https://youtu.be/gu5A2yCITRs?list=PLqux0fXsj7x3WYm6ZWuJnGC1rXQZ1018M
  • Hack the Box Starting Point Great Beginner hacking labs for new people https://app.hackthebox.com/starting-point
  • Splunk Boss of the SOC (BOTS) — Splunk CTF
    A hands‑on Capture‑the‑Flag style platform that teaches you how to use SIEM tools, log analysis, threat hunting, and detection engineering using Splunk.
    • Perfect for learning real SOC workflows in a gamified way.
      https://bots.splunk.com/login?redirect=/

🛡️ CyberPatriot Practice

  • Practice Images (Linux/Windows Administration)
    Excellent hands‑on experience for real system administration tasks.
    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cdVHtk4w5JDJCYy-EO2_ycr0ZqMgUyjFOVDn5Y8eGVw/edit

  • VMware Workstation/Fusion Archives (required to run practice images):
    • Workstation 17.x (Windows/Linux): https://dn710001.ca.archive.org/0/items/vmwareworkstationarchive/17.x/
    • Fusion 13.x (Mac): https://dn710001.ca.archive.org/0/items/vmwareworkstationarchive/Fusion/13.x/
  • Guide for the CyberPatriot Practice Images
    Excellent walkthrough and hardening guide for images.
    https://cypat.guide/

🔧 Some Knowledge (Intermediate‑Level)

For interns who know basic Linux/Windows and want to build deeper skills.

🐧 Linux & Systems

  • pwn.college — Linux Luminarium (Penguin Track)
    https://pwn.college/linux-luminarium/
  • SadServers — Linux, Docker, Kubernetes troubleshooting challenges
    https://sadservers.com/
  • LabEx — Linux, DevOps, and cybersecurity labs
    https://labex.io/learn

🗂️ Windows / AD / Services

  • AD + Linux Lab Setup Guide
    Learn how to deploy SSH, NGINX, AD, and more.
    https://adaptable-april-ff0.notion.site/actually-doing-evan-s-lab-a44ac1a906a74b5abd0b72062454da6c

🏁 Competition Resources

  • Plinko Horse Resources
    https://plinko.horse/resources

  • Cal Poly Cyber Bootcamp (They do this every summer for free)
    https://cysec.team/bootcamps/2025/meeting-1/ Cal Poly Swift Discord

📚 General Cyber Learning

  • O’Reilly Learning Library
    Courses for Sec+, CCNA, RHCSA, and more (Free access for FAU Students).
    https://learning.oreilly.com/home/

  • Security+ Free Practice Quizzes
    https://secquizmaster.pythonanywhere.com/sec

☁️ Cloud Training

  • Free Cloud training platform that covers Terraform, Kubernetes, and CI/CD:
    https://ca-ltc-api-dev.whiteocean-ee25ad60.centralus.azurecontainerapps.io/ https://youtu.be/2cMkpLoKUj0 (Cybersecurity Cloud Homelab using Terraform, Splunk, Nessus)

🔐 Cryptography

  • Intro to Cryptography Document
    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZMPkTr0VUheMkFEWWmsVwzoTw4zdtoizqsmB2woDAs0/edit?usp=sharing

🧠 Confident (Advanced / Competition Ready)

For learners ready to specialize in exploitation, web security, blue team, or lab automation.

⚙️ Exploit Development & Advanced Linux

  • pwn.college — Full Platform
    Linux, exploitation, CTF prep, and advanced training.
    https://pwn.college/

🌐 Web Security

  • PortSwigger Web Security Academy
    Industry‑leading web exploitation training.
    https://portswigger.net/web-security

  • Web Exploitation YouTube Playlist
    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnLaWkc9xRitBGPK5CcyoWCcPCeTYoqw

🛡️ Blue/Red Team Platforms

  • Hack The Box (Intermediate → Advanced labs)
    https://hackthebox.com/

🧱 Advanced Practice Environments

🤖 Automation & Infrastructure

  • Ludus Cloud — Automates AD/blue team labs with Ansible
    https://docs.ludus.cloud/

🧰 Competition / Hardening Scripts

  • CCDC Scripts (Club GitHub Repo)
    https://github.com/caol777/CCDC-scripts/tree/main

🎓 Advanced Technical Content

  • DefSecClub (Dakota State University)
    Deep‑dive Linux/Windows security and competition prep.
    https://www.youtube.com/@DefSecClub

📌 Quick Links

  • TryHackMe Beginner Hub — https://tryhackme.com/hacktivities
  • Bandit Linux Practice — https://overthewire.org/wargames/bandit/
  • Practice Images Guide - [cypat.guide CyberPatriot Community Guide](https://cypat.guide/)
  • PortSwigger Web Academy — https://portswigger.net/web-security
  • Proxmox WRCCDC Setup — https://github.com/caol777/Club-proxmox-server https://archive.wrccdc.org/images/2026/
  • pwn.college — https://pwn.college/
  • NCAE Cyber Games YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@ncaecybergames
  • Bitburner (Hacking & Scripting Video Game) — https://store.steampowered.com/app/1812820/Bitburner/
  • Python Zero to Hero Course https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8pPdKYpowI

🎥 YouTube Learning Resources (All Levels)

A curated list of highly recommended YouTube channels that teach cybersecurity, IT, DevOps, malware analysis, low‑level programming, and government technology career pathways.

🏛️ Government / Public Sector IT & Cyber

  • Symone B

Gov‑tech YouTuber who explains how to enter government roles in IT, cybersecurity, and federal contracting. Great for students seeking public‑sector cyber careers.

https://www.youtube.com/@symonebeez/videos

🚀 DevOps, Cloud, Containers, & Automation

  • TechWorld With Nana

One of the best DevOps creators with beginner‑friendly and visual explanations of Kubernetes, Docker, CI/CD, GitOps, and more.

Courses include: Kubernetes, Docker, Python Zero to Hero, and more.

https://www.youtube.com/@TechWorldwithNana

Python Zero to Hero: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8pPdKYpowI

📚 Certification Training (CompTIA A+ / Net+ / Sec+)

  • Professor Messer

The gold standard for free CompTIA training videos. Use his playlists with practice quizzes to help prepare for the A+, Network+, and Security+ exams.

https://www.youtube.com/@professormesser

🧠 Low‑Level Programming & Software Security

  • Low Level TV

Deep dives into low‑level systems, embedded security, memory safety, firmware hacking, and reverse engineering concepts. Amazing for developing a strong technical foundation.

https://www.youtube.com/@LowLevelTV

🔥 Practical Cybersecurity, CTFs, Malware & Tools

  • John Hammond

One of the most respected cybersecurity creators. Covers CTF walkthroughs, TryHackMe rooms, Hack The Box, malware analysis, PowerShell, AD, Bash, Python, and real-world cyber concepts.

Excellent for beginners and intermediate learners.

https://www.youtube.com/@_JohnHammond

  • Eric Parker

Specializes in reverse engineering and malware analysis. Great for blue‑teamers and those exploring malware internals and RE tooling.

https://www.youtube.com/@EricParker

🌐 General IT, Cyber, Networking, and Career Advice

  • NetworkChuck

Massive channel covering IT careers, networking, Linux basics, cybersecurity, cloud, Python, and more — highly energetic and beginner‑friendly.

https://www.youtube.com/@NetworkChuck/videos

🗡️ Penetration Testing & Ethical Hacking

  • Tyler Ramsbey

Amazing penetration testing content, including hands-on demos, custom labs, and walkthroughs.

https://www.youtube.com/@TylerRamsbey/videos

  • GnarCoding

A funny and engaging ethical hacking creator who makes complex topics enjoyable and accessible. Great for beginners.

https://www.youtube.com/@GnarCoding

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