Week starting: 13th April 2026
Research, exams, and a Sherlock solve - a packed week.
What I worked on
Research & Presentation Prep:
- Spent significant time researching for an upcoming presentation at an event
- Topic and details under wraps for now
Blue Team Work:
- Played HTB Sherlock: Forty-Seven1 (threat hunting focused)
- Completed a full writeup using the new template
- Will publish once the Sherlock is retired
Certifications:
- Passed an industry exam for a major Identity Security vendor
- Completed ICCA from INE (took 30 minutes - quick validation of existing skills)
Azure Study:
- On hold temporarily
- Prepping for another exam (planning to sit it in a month)
Key takeaways
The research for the upcoming presentation is eating most of my time, but it’s forcing me to structure knowledge I already have and fill gaps I didn’t know existed. Deep research always pays off this way.
The Sherlock was a solid threat hunting exercise. Using the new writeup template made documentation much smoother - I could work through the investigation and capture everything systematically without having to reorganize later.
The ICCA exam was essentially a formality. 30 minutes to validate what I already knew. Sometimes certifications are just checkboxes, not learning experiences.
Pausing Azure study isn’t ideal, but it’s necessary right now. The upcoming exam takes priority, and trying to split focus between two cert tracks would just dilute both.
Challenges and friction
Time management is the main challenge. Research, Sherlocks, exams, and presentation prep all competing for the same hours. Something always has to give.
Looking ahead
Week 15:
- Continue presentation research
- Possibly another Sherlock if time allows
- Start ramping up prep for the exam (1 month out)
- Azure study resumes after the exam
Focus is shifting, but progress continues.