Tayven Cyber Security Edition #1: The Education Arc
Inside: Uni for Free, Getting Into Cyber, Passing the SC‑900, and the HTB Web Exploitation Pathway
You step into the digital frontier, not a void, but a living expanse of systems, signals, and unseen architecture. The paths ahead aren’t labeled; they shift and shimmer with possibility. Cloud, IT, Cyber… each one demands something different from you.
You study with intention, not hesitation. Every concept you grasp sharpens your direction. Every late night, every lab, every failure that forces you to try again, they’re not signs of doubt, they’re proof of momentum. You’re not wandering. You’re advancing.
Patterns begin to emerge. Systems talk. Networks breathe. Data moves like engineered rivers of light. The deeper you go, the more the chaos resolves into structure. You’re no longer just learning, you’re decoding the blueprint of the digital world.
This is where your origin begins.
Creator’s Note – Edition #1
Think of this as my Radioactive Man #1 moment. High collectability, very low readership (for now), but absolutely foundational. This is where the monthly magazine cadence officially begins.
When I finish each series, I’ll take everything I’ve published and shape it into something cohesive, a clean, story‑driven digital magazine instead of a scattered list of posts. The highlights, the lessons, the experiments, and the things I learned along the way all come together in one clear edition.
It’s built to be worth subscribing to: each edition is a fun, thoughtful, cyber‑nerdy deep dive that arrives when a series is complete. But no one misses out, every issue will always be published here on the homepage for free.
The cadence is simple: each edition is released when a series finishes.
For now, this lives on the homepage. In the future, if readers want it delivered by email, I’ll start sending it out. What matters is starting now.
The introduction is written in second person to place the reader directly in the shoes of the protagonist. The same character featured on the comic‑book‑style cover. It’s an intentional narrative experiment, blending cyber security with a more immersive, story‑driven approach. I’m exploring this style for future cyber awareness content to see how it resonates, and whether making the reader the hero helps the lessons land more powerfully.
HEADLINE ARTICLES – Education & Career
How I Passed the SC‑900 on My First Attempt
Insight
I took on the SC‑900 to build my exam confidence, test the Pearson VUE at‑home setup, and prove to myself that I could study with intention on a short timeline. I didn’t brute‑force this exam. I built a system, trusted the process, and showed myself that structured learning works even without external deadlines like university. This article marks the moment my certification journey stopped being a “maybe” and became a roadmap.
How to Get Into Cyber Security
Insight
This piece is personal because it captures the exact process behind my transition from IT to Cyber after 15 years in the industry. Writing it reminded me how many small decisions quietly stacked up into one major direction change. If someone reads this and recognises their own starting point in it, then it’s done its job.
How To Get Uni for Free (and Get Paid to Study)
Insight
This is one of the most important stories I’ve ever written, and something I’ve wanted to share for a long time. It shows what becomes possible when you stop assuming the system is fixed and start looking for the ways it’s actually designed to help you. Some of my path came down to timing, but most of it came from getting informed and actively seeking out affordable, subsidised ways to study. I want people to know they can do the same.
Hack The Box Web Exploitation Pathway Review
Insight
This article represents the hands‑on side of my learning arc. The point where theory met reality. HTB is a deeply technical pathway, and it forced me to dive into how web‑facing systems are actually compromised in the real world. It showed me the level of skill and precision attackers operate with, and what we as blue teamers are truly up against.
CYBER AWARENESS
“Hi Dad” Phone Scam Text Message
Insight
This one matters because it’s real. It’s the kind of scam that targets everyday people. Responding to this incident reminded me why cyber awareness is so important. Security only works when everyone understands it, not just the experts.
BLUE TEAM
Blue Team Triage Toolkit: Practical Tools & Real Stories
Insight
This article offers a glimpse into the hands‑on blue team work that shaped how I think and the storytelling that shapes how I teach. It’s not just about the tools themselves, but the real experiences, challenges, and moments behind them. The situations that turn a list of utilities into an actual triage workflow.
RETRO
Blaster Worm 2003 Story
Insight
This is where nostalgia meets education. The Blaster worm was one of the first moments that made cyber feel alive to me. Chaotic, global, and fascinating. Revisiting it showed me how far the industry has come, and how much of the old mindset still applies today: keep going, stay curious, and work the problem until you figure it out.
PATCH ROUNDUP
June 2026 Security Patch Roundup
Insight
The Monthly Security Patch Roundup is a curated summary of the most important security updates released across major platforms each month. It highlights critical vulnerabilities, vendor advisories, and the real‑world impact behind the patches, giving readers a clear view of what changed and why it matters. The goal of the series is to make patching simple, predictable, and easy to follow, whether you’re managing a single device or an entire environment.
Final Thoughts
As I look back across this first issue, what stands out isn’t the articles themselves but the path they represent. These pieces capture the early stages of a transition. The learning, the experimenting, the small decisions that slowly reshape a career. This magazine is my way of documenting that journey in real time, one month at a time. If something here helps you take a step on your own path, even a small one, then Issue #1 has done exactly what it was meant to do.
Before you go, tell me what you’re studying or working toward this month. I’m building this with you.
The next issue builds from here.