Alex Dawkins
Cyber Security

Looking for a first role in network or cyber security

Alex Dawkins · MSc Cyber Security

I investigate incidents, test systems and write up the evidence.

I’m studying for an MSc in Cyber Security at the University of Plymouth, part-time alongside my job at Tesco. My case studies cover Splunk SOC analysis, penetration testing and insider threat analysis.

View case studies Request my CV

Selected work

Case studies.

Each one sets out the problem, what I did and what I found, with the full write-up on GitHub.

All projects and labs
Incident analysis · SOC

BOTSv3 SOC investigation

Problem
An attack hidden across O365, Windows, Linux and Sysmon logs in the Boss of the SOC v3 dataset.
Approach
Splunk searches to filter suspicious events, correlate them by time and map the activity to MITRE ATT&CK.
Outcome
An attack timeline from first access to account changes and scanning, with recommendations for phishing prevention, account monitoring and network detection.
  • Splunk
  • Sysmon
  • T1136.001
  • T1098.007
  • T1571
  • T1046
Read the case study
Penetration testing

Sweeny Barbers penetration test

Problem
A legacy Windows Server 2008 lab system with unknown exposure.
Approach
Nmap service enumeration, then exploit validation with Metasploit in the lab.
Outcome
Confirmed EternalBlue (MS17-010) and prioritised the fixes.
  • Nmap
  • Metasploit
  • Windows Server
Read the case study
Threat analysis

KnowBe4 insider threat analysis

Problem
A remote hire who passed identity checks and then attempted to run malware.
Approach
OSINT timeline review, root cause analysis and ATT&CK mapping.
Outcome
Gaps between HR and IT checks, with recommended identity and monitoring controls.
  • OSINT
  • T1078
  • T1133
  • T1059
Read the case study

Skills

What I can do, and where it’s shown.

Every skill links to the work that demonstrates it.

SkillTools and methodsEvidence
Log analysis and incident investigationSplunk SPL, Sysmon, O365 and Linux auth logs, timeline correlationBOTSv3 investigation
Threat framework mappingMITRE ATT&CK techniques and sub-techniquesATT&CK mapping
Vulnerability assessmentNmap enumeration, Metasploit validation, risk prioritisationPenetration test
Threat and risk analysisOSINT, root cause analysis, control recommendationsInsider threat analysis
Linux systemsBash, permissions, processes, systemd, basic hardeningLinux practice
Cloud fundamentalsAWS EC2, S3, VPC, IAM, shared responsibilityAWS labs

Background

From game arts to cyber security.

Full experience
  1. 2025–2027

    MSc Cyber Security · University of Plymouth

    Part-time postgraduate study in networks, secure systems and incident investigation.

  2. 2018–present

    Customer Assistant · Tesco Plymouth

    Clear communication and accurate work during busy shifts, balanced with university study.

  3. 2019–2022

    BA (Hons) Game Arts & Design · 2:1

    University of Plymouth. Visual communication and projects developed through testing and revision.

Training and certificates

  • TryHackMe52 rooms · five badges · top 15%
  • AWS Cloud Builder LabsCore services and cloud security · March 2026
  • Kandu IT Technician FoundationIT support fundamentals

Hiring for a cyber or network security role?

I’d be glad to talk, or to send you my CV.

Get in touchRequest my CV