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xthisistheway
Firewall Fairy
685 / 4838 XP to level 54
*Rankings computed based on core modules (64010 pts).
Joined in January, 2025
xthisistheway earned 13 badges
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Rap Beef
This analyst investigated a themed scenario involving rival hip-hop artists. They used key cybersecurity skills to identify suspicious communications and activities, analyzing internal messages to track unauthorized exchanges and uncover patterns. This exercise reinforced critical skills in data analysis, threat detection, and the application of cybersecurity principles in unconventional contexts.
Issued on: May 18, 2025
Valdorian Times
This analyst investigated an email phishing attack in Valdoria that uncovered a politically motivated influence campaign. Using Kusto Query Language (KQL), they analyzed employee roles, email communications, and computer process events, revealing evidence of data exfiltration and manipulation. This exercise reinforced skill in querying data and understanding data integrity within a cybersecurity context.
Issued on: May 20, 2025
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Solvi Systems
This analyst investigated a cybersecurity incident at Solvi Systems by identifying an attempted XSS attack and tracking a phishing email campaign. Using Kusto Query Language (KQL), they uncovered the threat actor’s reconnaissance efforts, system compromises, and malware activities, providing critical insights for enhancing security measures.
Issued on: May 23, 2025
Jojo's Hospital
This analyst completed the JoJo's Hospital module, investigating a cyber attack involving an Initial Access Broker and a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) operation. They demonstrated skills in detecting phishing and malvertising tactics, tracing unauthorized network access, understanding hacker collaboration, and analyzing ransomware activities.
Issued on: May 23, 2025
Castle & Sand
This analyst investigated an easy-level ransomware scenario by identifying adversaries' reconnaissance activities, analyzing themed phishing emails, and tracking ransomware deployment and impact. They used the Kusto Query Language (KQL) to analyze intrusion data and build an understanding of the ransomware attack lifecycle.
Issued on: May 30, 2025
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Titan Shield
This analyst successfully investigated two highly sophisticated cyberattacks against TitanShield’s sensitive projects, demonstrating advanced investigative skills in identifying social engineering tactics, malicious file execution, and data exfiltration strategies. Using Kusto Query Language (KQL), they unraveled Moonstone Sleet's phishing campaign targeting Project Omega and Crimson Sandstorm’s romance scheme aimed at harvesting critical system and user information. This exercise reinforced skills in threat actor profiling, recognizing social engineering-based reconnaissance on social media, and assessing the broader security implications of protecting intellectual property in a high-stakes defense context.
Issued on: May 30, 2025
Critical Compromise (ICS)
This analyst completed the Critical Compromise in Chicago module, demonstrating their ability to investigate a malware-based attack on a SCADA system. Through their use of Kusto Query Language (KQL), they uncovered the deployment of malicious software that disrupted the power grid. Their investigation helped identify the attack's origin and provided insights into the attackers’ methods, ultimately contributing to the restoration of normal operations and improving defenses for critical infrastructure.
Issued on: Jun 02, 2025
AzureCrest
This analyst investigated a ransomware attack, where cost-cutting measures led to a single point of failure in their systems. This exercise highlighted the risks associated with prioritizing cost over security and reinforced skills in identifying vulnerabilities and understanding the broader implications of inadequate security measures in a healthcare context.
Issued on: Jun 06, 2025
Envolve Labs
This analyst completed the "Envolve Labs" module. They demonstrated skills in using Kusto Query Language (KQL) in their investigation that included identifying phishing campaigns, analyzing command-line activities, and uncovering credential theft and data exfiltration. They also learned to cluster and attribute attacks to specific threat actors, connecting malicious domains and email addresses to threat actor behavior.
Issued on: Jun 16, 2025
Celestial Cowboy Couture
This analyst completed the "Celestial Cowboy Couture" module, where they investigated a targeted phishing attack that resulted in data exfiltration and intellectual property theft. They demonstrated proficiency in using Kusto Query Language (KQL) to trace the attack, analyzing network traffic and credential misuse. The investigation involved connecting threat actor tactics, including the exploitation of an employee’s LinkedIn post to craft a convincing phishing email. By uncovering the full attack chain, the analyst successfully identified the real culprit and restored the company’s reputation.
Issued on: Aug 13, 2025
Krusty Krab
This analyst completed the "Krusty Krab" module, investigating a phishing attack and data exfiltration. They used Kusto Query Language (KQL) to analyze email and network logs, revealing the use of deceptive email addresses and malicious domains. This exercise emphasized their ability to pivot and connect malicious domains to threat actor behavior, showcasing their proficiency in threat detection and analysis.
Issued on: Nov 19, 2025
Advanced Persistent Analyst
Someone who failed, got up, and tried again!
Issued on: Jan 09, 2026
Inside Encryptodera
This analyst investigated an easy-level insider threat scenario by identifying suspicious employee activities, analyzing internal communications, and tracking unauthorized data transfers. They used Kusto Query Language (KQL) to analyze network flows and identify abnormal data movement to build and insider-threat profile.
Issued on: Jan 09, 2026
xthisistheway played 19 games
Level 1: A Scandal in Valdoria 2430/2430
Level 1: Solvi Systems 2860/2860
Level 1: A Rap Beef (START HERE) 950/950
Level 1: Jojo's Hospital 610/610
Level 1: Titan Shield (with Microsoft Defender XDR) 4000/4000
Level 1: Cowboy Couture 2040/2040
Level 1: Valdoria Votes 2750/2750
Level 1: KQL 101 1645/1645
Level 2: Envolve Labs: With a twist! 950/950
Level 2: HopsNStuff 5460/14265
Level 2: KRUSTY KRAB 7360/7360
Level 2: Castle & Sand 13050/13050
Level 2: AzureCrest - The full version 8790/8790
Level 2: Frognado in Valdoria 1140/1690
Level 2: Critical Compromise In Chicago - ICS 2870/2870
Level 2: Turkey Bowl 2590/2590
Level 3: Inside Encryptodera 3990/3990
Level 3: Galaxy Neura 525/1265
Pattern of Life
Issue Badge to xthisistheway
| # | Image | Badge | Description | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Helping Hand | This award is community-nominated! Someone in the KC7 community has recognized this user for their contributions to others! | |
| 2 |  | Notre Dame Challenge | Completed the cybersecurity challenge event at Notre Dame in June 2023 | |
| 3 |  | KC7 Top 10 (2023) | Awarded to top 10 KC7 players in 2023 | |
| 4 |  | Cyber Challenge Series: Team Winner | This badge is issued to KC7 players who were members of a team that placed top 3 in a Blue Team Cyber Challenge event! | |
| 5 |  | Super Fan | This badge is issued to any KC7 player who has completed 3 modules or more! | |
| 6 |  | Most Improved | Someone who really improved over the course of a KC7 event! | |
| 7 |  | Cyber Challenge Series: Winner | This badge is issued to KC7 players who placed top 3 (as an individual) in an Blue Team Cyber Challenge event! | |
| 8 |  | 30 day hot steak | Awarded to a user who has answered a question for 30 days in a row. | |
| 9 |  | 90 day streak | Awarded to a user who has answered a question for 90 days in a row. | |
| 10 |  | Inside Encryptodera - Event Participant | Participant in the February 2024 monthly event featuring the Encryptodera module | |
| 11 |  | The Teacher | Someone who really helped lift up their peers and enabled others to learn! | |
| 12 |  | Bright Future | Someone who shows a lot of potential as a future cyber analyst! | |
| 13 |  | Azure Crest | This analyst investigated a ransomware attack, where cost-cutting measures led to a single point of failure in their systems. This exercise highlighted the risks associated with prioritizing cost over security and reinforced skills in identifying vulnerabilities and understanding the broader implications of inadequate security measures in a healthcare context. | |
| 14 |  | 2024 SANS New2Cyber CTF Participant | This badge has been awarded to those who took part in the 2024 SANS New2Cyber x KC7 Capture The Flag (CTF) challenge, which involved investigating a ransomware attack on a hospital. | |
| 15 |  | 60 day streak | Awarded to a user who has answered a question for 60 days in a row. | |
| 16 |  | 120 day streak | Awarded to a user who has answered a question for 120 days in a row! | |
| 17 | | Intro Master | ||
| 18 |  | Wiccon25 | You've participated to the WICCON25 workshop! You've successfully uncovered the full attack chain of a zombie themed ransomware. |