Incident Response Operations Analyst

JOSEPH VALENTIN

772-***-**** **.**************@*****.***

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joseph-valentin-8a8033334 Medium: medium.com/@jvalentin188

SOC Analyst Threat Detection Incident Response Client Protection Cybersecurity professional with hands-on SOC experience in threat detection, log analysis, and incident response. Adept at triaging alerts, identifying indicators of compromise, and escalating threats based on impact. I've built a strong technical foundation through real-world simulation platforms like LetsDefend and continually sharpen my skills with daily practice. I'm ready to contribute to a SOC team from day one and grow alongside it. EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

● Western Governors University (WGU) – Bachelor of Science, IT Management (In Progress)

● CompTIA Security+ – Certified

● Google Cybersecurity Professional Certification – Certified

● LetsDefend SOC Analyst Certification – Certified

● LetsDefend Incident Responder Certification – In Progress

● Qualys Vulnerability Management Foundation – Certified

● AIG Shields Up: Cybersecurity Virtual Experience – Certified TECHNICAL SKILLS

● Security Operations: SIEM (Splunk), IDS/IPS, Threat Hunting

● Network & Log Analysis: Wireshark, Sysmon, Windows Event Logs, Firewall Logs

● Threat Detection & Malware Analysis: MITRE ATT&CK, Incident Response Playbooks

● Security Automation: Python Scripting

● Frameworks & Compliance: NIST Cybersecurity Framework, Risk Assessment, ISO 27001

● Forensics Tools: Process Hacker, Regshot, Procmon, HashMyFiles RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

LetsDefend – SOC Analyst (Trainee), Nov 2024 – Present

● Maintained a 150+ day active learning streak on LetsDefend, demonstrating ongoing commitment to threat detection and incident response proficiency.

● Published detailed walkthroughs on Medium to help new LetsDefend users navigate complex security tickets, promoting peer learning and knowledge-sharing within the community.

● Simulated SOC operations by triaging alerts, escalating threats, and conducting root cause analysis.

● Conducted log analysis using SIEM (Splunk), Sysmon, and firewall data to detect anomalies and indicators of compromise.

● Applied incident response playbooks based on NIST CSF to mitigate phishing, brute force, and malware-related threats.

AIG Shields Up Virtual Experience – Cyber Security Trainee, Mar 2025

● Created a Python script to decrypt ransomware keys, simulating ethical hacking techniques to prevent extortion-based attacks.

● Gained experience in secure key management, brute-force protection, and incident response preparation.

Home Lab – Cybersecurity Lab Architect, Jan 2025 – Present

● Built and managed a custom SOC lab to simulate incident response, alert investigation, malware analysis, and network forensics.

● Conducted mock threat detection scenarios, endpoint monitoring, and root cause analysis using open-source and enterprise tools.

ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

New Jersey Department of Corrections – Senior Corrections Officer, Oct 2001 – Feb 2010

● Applied strong observation and analytical skills to identify inmate leadership potential, assigning peer roles that improved morale and reduced reportable incidents. Led internal incident investigations, enforced institutional policies, and executed risk reduction initiatives to maintain operational security.

● Communicated effectively with staff, administrators, and inmates to de-escalate conflicts and coordinate response actions.

● Prepared detailed incident reports and behavioral summaries to support investigations and inform decision-making.

PROJECTS

Firewall Log Analysis, Dynamic Malware Analysis, and Detected Suspicious XLS File – Medium

● Investigated abnormal firewall traffic, analyzed malware behavior, and evaluated suspicious XLS files using LetsDefend tools, Wireshark, Sysmon, and Process Explorer.

● Documented findings and response strategies to showcase real-world security operations capabilities.

● Triaged a suspicious XLS file alert, identified malicious indicators, and escalated the incident with evidence-based recommendations.

Portfolio: https://medium.com/@jvalentin188

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