Claim OwnershipCertified - CompTIA CYSA+ Audio Course
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The CYSA Audio Course is your comprehensive audio training series for the CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CYSA+) certification. Built for learners who are on the move, this podcast breaks down each domain of the CYSA+ exam in structured, digestible episodes. Whether you're studying during your commute or brushing up at the gym, this PrepCast is designed to reinforce critical skills and exam knowledge with clarity and focus.
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In this inaugural episode of the CySA+ PrepCast, we begin our journey by exploring what the CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst certification actually is—and why it's more relevant than ever in today’s threat-driven world. You’ll discover who the CySA+ is designed for, what kinds of jobs align with this credential, and how it fits into the broader security certification ecosystem. Whether you’re an aspiring SOC analyst, a transitioning IT professional, or a security enthusiast looking to go pro, this episode lays the foundation for your certification journey.We’ll also discuss the purpose of this podcast series and how it’s designed to walk you through the entire CySA+ curriculum in audio form. If you're planning to learn while commuting, training at the gym, or just making better use of your downtime, this format is made for you. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear understanding of the value of the certification, the structure of the PrepCast, and the mindset that will help you succeed throughout your exam preparation. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com
Before diving into the technical content, it's important to understand the structure of the exam you're preparing for. In this episode, we take a close look at how the CySA+ exam is organized, including how many questions you'll face, what kinds of question formats to expect, and how the four exam domains are weighted. Understanding the layout of the exam is essential for building a study strategy that maximizes your time and strengthens your weakest areas.We’ll walk you through each of the four domains—Security Operations, Vulnerability Management, Incident Response and Management, and Reporting and Communication—and explain how they interconnect in real-world scenarios. You’ll also hear about performance-based questions, multiple-choice strategies, and the pacing techniques that test-takers find most effective. This episode gives you a strategic overview so you can approach your CySA+ study plan with purpose and clarity. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com
With so many cybersecurity certifications on the market, it’s natural to wonder how the CySA+ stacks up against others like Security+, CISA, CEH, and CISSP. In this episode, we position CySA+ in the wider landscape of credentials and help you understand what makes this certification unique. You’ll hear how it bridges the gap between entry-level knowledge and hands-on analyst responsibilities, and why employers increasingly see it as essential for security operations roles.We’ll also compare CySA+ to other popular certs in terms of difficulty, scope, career alignment, and industry recognition. If you’re looking to future-proof your skills and advance into a more technical, investigative role within cybersecurity, this episode will help you decide if CySA+ is the right step forward. By the end, you’ll have the confidence to move ahead knowing how this certification complements your broader career path. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com
Studying for the CySA+ requires more than reading books—it requires strategic repetition, practice, and the right mix of tools. In this episode, we go beyond generic study tips and focus on what really works when preparing for a hands-on, analysis-heavy certification. We’ll talk about building a self-paced schedule, selecting the best online resources, and incorporating real-world tools like SIEM platforms, vulnerability scanners, and packet analyzers into your workflow. You’ll also learn how to create a personal lab environment using free or low-cost tools, how to make the most of your study hours through active recall and spaced repetition, and how to track your progress across the four CySA+ domains. Whether you’re a full-time student, a working professional, or somewhere in between, this episode provides a grounded framework for disciplined, high-impact study. If you want your study sessions to translate into exam success, this is the place to start. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com
The exam day experience can make or break your performance—not because of your knowledge, but because of anxiety, confusion, or poor time management. In this episode, we walk you through exactly what to expect when it’s time to take the CySA+ certification exam. You’ll learn about the check-in process, how remote and in-person testing work, how long the exam takes, and how to handle technical issues or interruptions if they arise.We also explore specific tactics to keep you focused under pressure. From flagging difficult questions for later review, to handling performance-based simulations efficiently, to breathing techniques that reduce exam anxiety—this episode prepares you mentally and strategically for the moment that matters most. If you’ve been worried about test-day jitters or you just want to feel fully in control walking into the exam, this episode will give you the edge you need. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com
Before we dive into tools, techniques, and frameworks, it’s important to make sure your foundational knowledge is solid. In this episode, we review the essential cybersecurity concepts that every CySA+ candidate should understand before tackling more advanced material. We’ll walk through key ideas like the CIA triad (confidentiality, integrity, and availability), basic threat categories, the importance of defense-in-depth, and the role of the analyst in a security operations center (SOC).This isn’t a deep-dive into any single technology—it’s a curated overview of the core principles that show up throughout the CySA+ exam. Whether you’re transitioning from another I.T. role or coming straight from Security+, this episode gives you a strong mental scaffold to attach more complex topics to later in the series. It’s ideal for brushing up or filling in the gaps before we accelerate into domain-specific learning. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com
Performance-based questions can catch even well-prepared test takers off guard. Unlike traditional multiple-choice items, these questions ask you to interact with tools, analyze artifacts, or simulate workflows—replicating what you’d actually do in a live security environment. In this episode, we walk through several PBQ scenarios and help you break down how to interpret what’s being asked and how to respond efficiently.You’ll learn what tools might appear in a simulated question (like SIEM dashboards, packet captures, or log files), how to manage your time wisely across PBQs, and how to avoid common traps that waste valuable minutes. If you’re worried about the hands-on portion of the exam or unsure how it’s structured, this episode will bring clarity, confidence, and an edge in your test-day strategy. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com
The multiple-choice section of the CySA+ exam isn’t just about knowing the right answer—it’s about identifying it under pressure. In this episode, we focus on smart test-taking strategies specifically designed for the CySA+ question format. You’ll learn how to dissect complex questions, spot distractors, and leverage the process of elimination to your advantage.We’ll also talk about the language CompTIA often uses, such as absolutes or qualifiers, and how to approach "choose the best answer" versus "choose all that apply" formats. These tips are not generic—they’re tuned for how CySA+ tests real-world decision making. Whether you’re a strong test taker or someone who second-guesses themselves, this episode will help you become more confident and efficient at navigating MCQs. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com
Hands-on practice is essential for CySA+ success, and that means having your own lab environment. In this episode, we help you build one using tools you can install on your own laptop, run in the cloud, or deploy in virtual machines. You’ll learn how to create test environments with Kali Linux, simulate attacks using Metasploitable, and practice monitoring with open-source SIEM tools like Splunk or ELK.We also walk through recommended hardware specs, cloud service options, and how to safely isolate your test environments to avoid real-world damage. Building your lab doesn’t require expensive gear or enterprise access—it just requires guidance and intent. This episode will show you exactly how to build a sandbox where you can experiment freely, make mistakes, and sharpen the skills you’ll be tested on. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com
What happens after you pass the CySA+? This episode explores the real-world benefits of certification and how it translates into career opportunities. We discuss common job titles that value CySA+, such as SOC analyst, threat hunter, vulnerability management specialist, and cyber risk analyst. You’ll hear how the certification helps you stand out on resumes, qualify for government and private sector roles, and build momentum toward higher-level credentials like CISSP or CASP+.We’ll also explore the value of joining cybersecurity communities, participating in bug bounty programs, and continuing education through threat intel platforms and advanced training. Whether CySA+ is a stepping stone or your first big leap into cybersecurity, this episode helps you visualize the road ahead and shows how to keep growing long after the exam is over. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com
Technical knowledge alone isn’t enough. As a cybersecurity analyst, your ability to explain threats, risks, and remediation strategies to non-technical audiences can make or break your effectiveness. In this episode, we explore how to communicate clearly and professionally with managers, executives, clients, and legal teams—people who need actionable information but don’t speak your technical language.We’ll walk through tips for translating cyber terminology into business language, framing incidents in terms of operational or financial impact, and choosing the right level of detail for different audiences. Whether you’re writing a report, delivering a briefing, or representing your team in a meeting, this episode will help you develop the communication skills needed to bridge the gap between technology and leadership. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com
In this fast-paced review episode, we recap the most critical concepts from Domain 1 (Security Operations) and Domain 2 (Vulnerability Management). This is your checkpoint to ensure you understand everything from network architecture and log ingestion to vulnerability scanning, CVSS scoring, and control frameworks. If you're preparing for the exam, this episode is a perfect way to consolidate what you've learned so far.We’ll highlight the most testable topics, clarify distinctions between similar tools and techniques, and flag areas where exam takers often get tripped up. Use this episode as a refresher before you move forward—or as a last-minute study tool in the days leading up to your test. Either way, it’s designed to boost your recall, sharpen your focus, and help you enter the next domain with confidence. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com
This second review episode brings together the essential content from Domain 3 (Incident Response and Management) and Domain 4 (Reporting and Communication). We’ll reinforce your understanding of frameworks like the MITRE ATT&CK matrix and cyber kill chains, review containment and eradication strategies, and revisit reporting requirements such as executive summaries and regulatory disclosures.This is also your chance to solidify your grasp of post-incident actions like root cause analysis, lessons learned, and communication to stakeholders. If you’ve completed the full CySA+ PrepCast or just need a focused recap of the final two domains, this episode will give you a compact, high-impact summary of everything you’re likely to face on test day. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com
Before we tackle deeper technical episodes, it's essential to get fluent with the vocabulary used in the exam and in real-world security operations. This first glossary episode focuses on foundational network and infrastructure terms. We’ll cover protocols, addressing concepts, and key architectural elements such as ICMP, IP, LAN, MAC, RDP, REST, and others that often appear in log data and configuration analysis.This episode is especially helpful if you're coming from a non-networking background or need a quick review of transport-layer terminology. Understanding these terms will make the upcoming episodes easier to digest and help you interpret logs, alerts, and documentation more fluently during both practice labs and the exam itself. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com
In this second glossary episode, we focus on the security tools, frameworks, and compliance standards you’ll need to recognize and understand throughout your CySA+ journey. From OpenVAS and Nessus to NIST, ISO, and PCI DSS, this episode gives you concise definitions and context that go beyond memorization. We explain what these terms mean, how they’re used in the field, and why they matter to security analysts.You'll also get clarity on how tools like Metasploit, OSSTMM, and the OWASP Top Ten fit into vulnerability management and penetration testing workflows. Whether you're reviewing for a PBQ or brushing up for a compliance question, this glossary episode ensures you're equipped with the foundational context for these high-importance acronyms and references. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com
In the final glossary-focused episode, we turn our attention to the specialized language used in incident response, threat detection, and analyst operations. This includes key terms like IoC, MFA, PID, RCE, RTO, PKI, and more—acronyms and phrases that show up frequently in forensic documentation, incident timelines, and CySA+ test questions.We not only define each term, but place it in context so you understand how it relates to processes like detection, containment, recovery, and escalation. This episode is perfect for reinforcing the language of the blue team and building the mental fluency you’ll need when navigating logs, alerts, and communication reports under time pressure. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com
Welcome to Domain 1, the largest and most foundational section of the CySA+ exam. In this episode, we preview what you’ll learn across the next several modules and explain how Security Operations serves as the nerve center of a modern cyber defense strategy. From architecture to access control to threat detection, this domain sets the tone for your analyst mindset.We’ll introduce the major themes of Domain 1, including logging, behavioral analysis, detection tooling, and operational efficiency. You’ll also get an understanding of how the subtopics align with real-world responsibilities in a Security Operations Center (SOC). This episode gives you the big picture so you can mentally organize the content that follows and recognize how it all fits together. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com
Effective cybersecurity starts with visibility—and that begins with logs. In this episode, we explore the basics of log ingestion, including what data is collected, how it's normalized, and where it's stored. You’ll learn about the importance of time synchronization across log sources, why logging levels (debug, info, error) matter, and how poor logging practices can create blind spots in your security posture.We’ll also look at how log data feeds into SIEMs and threat detection platforms, and how analysts triage alerts based on this foundational information. If you want to understand how raw data becomes actionable intelligence—and how that translates directly to CySA+ exam content—this episode is your starting point. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com
Understanding the underlying behavior of operating systems is critical for detecting and investigating malicious activity. In this episode, we explore the core OS concepts that every cybersecurity analyst must master. You'll learn about the Windows Registry, how system hardening reduces attack surfaces, and what file system structures can reveal during an investigation.We also discuss how malware hides within OS-level components, why registry anomalies can indicate compromise, and how file system permissions play a role in privilege escalation. This episode gives you a foundational lens through which to interpret host-level alerts and enrich your vulnerability management and incident response capabilities. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com
In this episode, we go deeper into the building blocks of computing environments that matter for cyber defense. We cover where critical configuration files are typically stored, how analysts monitor and investigate system processes, and what aspects of hardware architecture matter when tracking threats or hardening systems.You’ll also hear how attackers exploit weaknesses at the process level or leverage misconfigurations in low-level system components. Understanding how the operating system interacts with hardware and config data isn’t just academic—it helps you spot unusual activity, detect evasive threats, and answer performance-based questions with confidence. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com
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