SOCSimulator is a Security Operations Center (SOC) analyst training platform that uses realistic SIEM, XDR, and Firewall consoles to simulate real-world cyberattack investigations drawn from actual 2025 and 2026 breach telemetry.
What is SOCSimulator?
SOCSimulator is a browser-based training platform where learners investigate live-mapped incidents inside production-style security tool interfaces. It takes no input beyond an account registration (no credit card required for the Free tier) and produces scored competency reports across eight analyst dimensions — including triage speed, cross-tool correlation, and investigation methodology. The platform is built and maintained by the SOCSimulator team and delivers new operations weekly.
Key Features
- Realistic security consoles — Practice alert triage and incident investigation using interfaces modeled after production SIEM, XDR, and Firewall tools, with live telemetry from real breaches.
- Real-world breach telemetry — Every operation rebuilds a published attack (e.g., Akira ransomware, Scattered Spider, MFA Fatigue) using actual indicators of compromise and event logs.
- MITRE ATT&CK mapping — All scenarios are mapped to specific MITRE ATT&CK techniques, making training outcomes traceable to the industry-standard framework.
- Competency radar — After each operation, performance is scored across eight dimensions (speed, accuracy, correlation, detection methodology, documentation, and more), providing visible progress metrics.
- Shift Mode (coming soon) — A real-time queued triage environment where learners face live alerts under SLA pressure, with graded true/false positive decisions.
- Guided tracks — The SOC Analyst Foundations track (7 hours, 590 XP) and 2026 Infostealers track (5 hours, 1465 XP) provide structured learning paths for beginners and intermediate analysts.
- Free tier — Access to hands-on operations, three tool consoles, and progress tracking with no credit card and no time limit.
Who is it for?
- Career-switchers and students — Practice alert triage and investigation workflows from day one with guided walkthroughs that require no prior security experience.
- Security operations teams — Give analysts measurable reps on current attack patterns and track per-analyst progress through team dashboards, supporting audit-ready attestations.
- Educators and bootcamps — Assign classroom operations, monitor student progress through a teaching dashboard, and run a real SOC lab with zero infrastructure setup.
What can you do with SOCSimulator?
- Individual practice for job readiness — Investigate operations like Akira Ransomware: Full Kill Chain IR (Hard, 60 min, 200 pts) or MFA Fatigue: The Notification Flood (Easy, 30 min, 50 pts) to build a portfolio of real investigations you can discuss during interviews.
- Team training with measurable skills evidence — Teams can assign operations mapped to MITRE ATT&CK, track progress via dashboards, and generate verifiable skill progression reports for auditors or standards compliance.
- Classroom assignments — Educators assign curated tracks (e.g., SOC Analyst Foundations), review student investigations, and measure competency growth without managing any lab infrastructure.
Pricing
SOCSimulator offers three tiers: Free (no credit card, limited operations and features), Pro ($15/month billed annually at $180/year, or $299 one-time for lifetime access), and Enterprise (custom pricing with team management, custom scenarios, SSO, and dedicated support). The Free tier is genuinely free — not a trial — and includes real beginner walkthroughs and three tool consoles.
FAQ
Is SOC Simulator really free?
Yes, the Free tier requires no credit card and gives permanent access to real beginner walkthroughs, three tool consoles (SIEM, XDR, Firewall), and progress tracking. It is not a trial — you keep access indefinitely.
