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Sandesh I portrait

Emerging Cybersecurity Professional

I'm on a mission to strengthen my skills and showcase my journey in cybersecurity, blending education with hands-on experience.

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Works

Explore my diverse projects in cybersecurity, from incident response to building secure environments, showcasing my skills and experiences.

  • SOC Incident Response

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    SOC Incident Response

    Analyzed security logs and simulated threat scenarios to perform incident triage, identify indicators of compromise (IOCs), and support defensive response procedures. Investigated phishing, malware, and social engineering attacks using security analysis techniques to detect potential threats. Developed incident response documentation outlining findings, remediation steps, and security improvement recommendations. Applied SOC workflows, SIEM concepts, and endpoint security practices to enhance threat detection and response capabilities.

  • Professional Cybersecurity Home Lab Environment

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    Professional Cybersecurity Home Lab Environment

    Built a virtual cybersecurity lab using VirtualBox with Kali Linux, Windows 10, and Metasploitable to simulate an enterprise network. Configured Active Directory Domain Services, domain controllers, user accounts, authentication, and Windows client domain integration. Designed and troubleshot network infrastructure using TCP/IP, DNS, static IP addressing, bridged adapters, and Windows Firewall rules. Conducted penetration testing and vulnerability assessments using Kali Linux against intentionally vulnerable systems in an isolated lab environment.

About me

I'm on a mission to strengthen my skills and showcase my journey in cybersecurity, blending education with hands-on experience.

I am a sophomore at George Mason University, pursuing a Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Engineering. With experience as a Cybersecurity Intern and Extern, I'm passionate about enhancing my skills and building a competitive resume in the cybersecurity field.

Externships

Hydroficient IoT Cyber Defense Externship

Hydroficient

Experience

Cybersecurity Intern

SABCVA · Mar 2026 - Aug 2026

Cybersecurity Engineering Extern

Extern · July 2026 - Aug 2026

Security CTF Web Developer/Tester

Hackfax · Oct 2025 - Feb 2026

Education

George Mason University Honors College - College of Engineering and Computing

Bachelors of Science in Cybersecurity Engineering

Skills

PythonJavaJavaScriptHTMLThreat AnalysisIncident ResponseVulnerability AssessmentSecurity OperationsEndpoint SecuritySecurity Awareness TrainingLinuxWindowsLinux CLITCP/IPDNSVPNsSSHNetwork SecurityVLANsZero TrustMicrosoft AzureIdentity & Access ManagementCloud SecurityMicrosoft 365Google WorkspaceGitWiresharkCisco Packet TracerKali LinuxTryHackMeMicrosoft DefenderNIST CSFCIS ControlsSOC 2ISO 27001CMMCTechnical CommunicationPublic SpeakingTeam LeadershipAgile CollaborationProject Management
Back to works

SOC Incident Response

Analyzed security logs and simulated threat scenarios to perform incident triage, identify indicators of compromise (IOCs), and support defensive response procedures. Investigated phishing, malware, and social engineering attacks using security analysis techniques to detect potential threats. Developed incident response documentation outlining findings, remediation steps, and security improvement recommendations. Applied SOC workflows, SIEM concepts, and endpoint security practices to enhance threat detection and response capabilities.

Overview

Analyzed security logs and simulated threat scenarios to perform incident triage, identify indicators of compromise (IOCs), and support defensive response procedures. Investigated phishing, malware, and social engineering attacks using security analysis techniques to detect potential threats. Developed incident response documentation outlining findings, remediation steps, and security improvement recommendations. Applied SOC workflows, SIEM concepts, and endpoint security practices to enhance threat detection and response capabilities.

View all works
Back to works

Professional Cybersecurity Home Lab Environment

Built a virtual cybersecurity lab using VirtualBox with Kali Linux, Windows 10, and Metasploitable to simulate an enterprise network. Configured Active Directory Domain Services, domain controllers, user accounts, authentication, and Windows client domain integration. Designed and troubleshot network infrastructure using TCP/IP, DNS, static IP addressing, bridged adapters, and Windows Firewall rules. Conducted penetration testing and vulnerability assessments using Kali Linux against intentionally vulnerable systems in an isolated lab environment.

Overview

Built a virtual cybersecurity lab using VirtualBox with Kali Linux, Windows 10, and Metasploitable to simulate an enterprise network. Configured Active Directory Domain Services, domain controllers, user accounts, authentication, and Windows client domain integration. Designed and troubleshot network infrastructure using TCP/IP, DNS, static IP addressing, bridged adapters, and Windows Firewall rules. Conducted penetration testing and vulnerability assessments using Kali Linux against intentionally vulnerable systems in an isolated lab environment.

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Hydroficient ↗

Hydroficient IoT Cyber Defense Externship

Build, hack, and defend real IoT infrastructure, then hand your security playbook to an actual company. You’ll launch realistic cyberattacks, from spoofing and replay attacks to unauthorized shutoffs, and implement defenses like TLS and mTLS.

Python ProgrammingData AnalysisThreat ModelingDashboard Development
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Overview

I participated in the Hydroficient IoT Cyber Defense Externship, where I developed skills in securing IoT infrastructure. This involved launching cyberattacks and implementing defenses, culminating in a comprehensive security playbook tailored for a real company. The experience deepened my understanding of IoT vulnerabilities and defenses against them.

What I'm doing

During the externship, I engaged in a series of modules that equipped me with the knowledge and skills to understand and defend IoT systems. Below are the key projects I completed, showcasing my work in threat modeling and cybersecurity defenses.

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Project 1: Understanding IoT Systems & Threat Modeling

I collaborated with my mentor to analyze a real-time data dashboard from The Grand Marina Hotel, identifying key vulnerabilities in their IoT systems. I mastered the CIA Triad, explored various attack types, and applied the STRIDE methodology to develop a detailed threat model, delivering a

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Step 1: Learn the Basics of Python

I learned the fundamentals of Python programming and utilized Google Colab to run Python code. This foundational knowledge allowed me to effectively manipulate data, which was crucial for my later work in analyzing IoT system vulnerabilities.

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