About Duren Defense

Welcome. I’m Joe Duren — cybersecurity student, blue team enthusiast, and future CISO in the making.

I created Duren Defense as a digital journal and knowledge base for aspiring cybersecurity professionals, home lab builders, and anyone hungry to understand how modern systems are attacked — and how to defend them.

This site is both my personal documentation hub and a public resource. Every tool I try, every concept I study, every lab I run — I share it here in plain language so you don’t have to start from scratch.

My Mission

To simplify cybersecurity education for beginners, especially those who come from non-traditional backgrounds or are breaking into the field mid-career — just like I am.

My long-term goal?
To become a CISO who’s not only technically competent but also a strong communicator, leader, and mentor to the next generation of defenders.

What You'll Find Here

• Hands-on tutorials from my personal home lab
• Blue team tools like Wazuh, Suricata, Zeek, and more
• Certification study guides (CompTIA, CySA+, etc.)
• Mindset + productivity content for tech professionals
• Security fundamentals, explained without fluff

My Current Focus

• Studying for CompTIA CySA+
• Building and refining my home security lab
• Practicing real-world log analysis and incident response
• Documenting every step to help others follow along

Let’s Connect

Got a question, idea, or just want to say hello?

Feel free to reach out — I’m always open to collaborating with fellow learners and professionals.