On Friday, February 28, the WUST Security Operations Center (SOC) Lab hosted an engaging meetup organized by the DMV Cybersecurity Meetup Group under the auspices of Washington University of Science and Technology. More than two dozen professionals from the DMV area, representing diverse backgrounds, participated in the event titled “Ethical Hacking Hands-On: Get Your Hands Dirty Here.” This was the fifth meetup program organized by the WUST SOC Lab.

The event provided participants with both an educational and immersive experience in computer networking, ethical hacking, and exploitation concepts. Attendees had the opportunity to work with hacking tools on lab computers, and nearly half successfully completed the ethical hacking lab using a guided manual developed by the SOC Lab for hands-on practice.

Dr. Necmi Mutlu, Chief Advisor of the SOC Lab and Lead Faculty of the School of IT at WUST, opened the session with an insightful introduction to computer networking, exploitation, and hacking. He demonstrated real-world cyberattack examples, explaining how understanding these methods is essential for developing robust cybersecurity defenses. “Through this lab practice, everyone will see the relevance of ethical hacking in strengthening cybersecurity,” he emphasized.

Following Dr. Mutlu’s presentation, Mahmood Menon Khan, Assistant Professor and SOC Lab Coordinator, introduced the lab usage policies and welcomed participants to the hands-on session.

The SOC Lab was then opened for attendees, who were provided with Ethical Hacking Lab manuals to guide their practice. Enthusiasm was high, with nearly a dozen participants successfully completing the lab while others remained dedicated to the challenge over the course of three hours.

Throughout the session, Dr. Mutlu, Prof. Khan, and lab assistant Fayed Adib (student worker) provided continuous support, assisting participants in overcoming technical challenges and uncertainties. Those faced issues or failed to understand, received step-by-step guidance from SOC team to ensure steady progress.

As participants successfully exploited their assigned platforms, they accessed their designated folders, reinforcing their learning experience. Every time someone completed the lab, they were met with applause and encouragement from fellow attendees.

Beyond technical learning, the event also provided a valuable networking platform. Students, practitioners, and professionals from various cybersecurity fields engaged in meaningful discussions, exchanged insights, and explored potential collaborations.

The meetup was a resounding success, combining practical cybersecurity training with expert knowledge-sharing. Attendees left the SOC Lab not only with newfound skills but also with inspiration and enthusiasm for their future endeavors in cybersecurity.