Today was the first day of what I know will be a long and challenging journey, but it’s one I’m incredibly excited about. At 16 years old, I’ve decided to pursue something that not many my age might even think about—getting a CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) certificate. This isn’t just a whim or a passing interest; it’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while now. Cybersecurity has always intrigued me. The idea of understanding how to protect systems and data, and even how to think like a hacker (for good, of course), is something that really resonates with me.
The day started early. I knew that if I was going to make the most of this journey, I needed to treat it seriously right from the start. I set up my workspace, making sure I had everything I needed—my laptop, a notebook for jotting down important points, and a cup of coffee to keep me going. I enrolled in a couple of online courses that I had researched beforehand, specifically aimed at beginners like me who want to build a solid foundation in networking and cybersecurity.
The first course I dived into was all about networking basics. I’ve always heard people say that a strong understanding of networking is crucial for anyone looking to get into cybersecurity, and now I see why. The course started with the fundamentals—things like what a network is, the different types of networks (LAN, WAN, MAN), and how data travels across these networks. I learned about IP addresses, and how every device on a network needs one to communicate with other devices. This led me to understanding subnets, which at first seemed complicated, but the instructor did a great job of breaking it down into something manageable. I never realized how important something as simple as an IP address could be in the grand scheme of things.
As I progressed, the course moved on to more advanced topics like routing and switching, which are the processes that determine how data moves through a network. This was a bit more challenging, but also incredibly fascinating. The idea that data is broken down into packets, each with its own little journey to complete, really clicked with me. It made me appreciate the complexity and precision involved in even the most basic network communications.
After a few hours of networking basics, I decided to take a short break before jumping into the next part of my learning for the day—cybersecurity terminologies. This part was a bit more abstract than the networking section, but equally important. I learned about firewalls, those critical barriers that keep unwanted traffic out of a network. The course explained how firewalls work and the different types, like packet-filtering firewalls and stateful firewalls. I also learned about encryption, which is essential for protecting data, whether it’s being stored or transmitted.
Then came the fun part—learning about the different types of threats that exist out there. Terms like malware, ransomware, and phishing were all concepts I had heard of before, but today I got a much deeper understanding of what they actually are and how they work. For instance, phishing is more than just a simple scam; it’s a sophisticated tactic that can lead to devastating breaches if not properly guarded against. I also learned about the different types of hackers—black hat, white hat, and gray hat—and what motivates them. This was particularly interesting because it highlighted the ethical side of hacking, which is at the core of what I aim to learn.
By the time I wrapped up my studies for the day, I felt both mentally exhausted and incredibly fulfilled. I took some time to reflect on everything I had learned, and it hit me just how much more there is to discover. Today was just the tip of the iceberg. I know I have a long way to go, but if every day is as rewarding as today was, I’m confident that I’ll reach my goal.
This journey is not just about getting a certificate; it’s about gaining the knowledge and skills that will enable me to contribute positively to the world of cybersecurity. The world is becoming more connected every day, and with that connection comes an increasing number of threats. Being able to understand and combat those threats is a skill that I believe will be invaluable in the future.
So, as I close out this first day, I’m feeling a mixture of excitement and determination. I’m eager to see what tomorrow holds, and I can’t wait to dive even deeper into this fascinating field. Day 1 is in the books, and I’m ready for whatever comes next.
For more on my Journey (Day 1 to 50) take a look at my Journey
part of the blog.
