hello! i’m Hiram, a cs major and aspiring security researcher
I am a Computer Science undergrad at the University of Texas at El Paso, graduating in 2028.
I have a background working as a SOC intern for UTEP and I’d like to enter cybersecurity research in my future career. I have experience with local and online CTF competitions, some IT certifications, and I am active in online platforms such as Hack The Box and TryHackMe.
This website should serve as a public portfolio to document my projects related to my career: writeups, my CTF solutions, and more!
let’s get in contact! here’s my socials
email: hftostado@miners.utep.edu github: github.com/hiramf0 linkedin: linkedin.com/in/hiram-f-tostado/
✍️ blog
all writeups and articles are organized in the blog database below. use the view tabs to switch between 🆕 Latest Posts (gallery), 🏷️ Browse by Tag (board by tag), and 📅 Archive (grouped by month).
portfoliohere’s my current resumé. consider hiring me someday : )
Just like myself, this is a WIP. I’ll constantly change this document with new stuff.
my current certifications
CompTIA Security+ December 12, 2025 Badge Link
CompTIA Network+ September 20, 2025 Badge Link
Google IT Support Professional Certificate March 13, 2025 Badge Link
some projects i’m working on
HackTheBox Labs I’m doing active machines for Season 11, hoping I can get my ownership percentage up. Also, I’m working through Active and Retired Sherlocks. As per HTB’s content policy, I’ll post some writeups once the machine/Sherlock has become Retired. Profile Link: https://app.hackthebox.com/public/users/2300557
VulnHub Machines vulnhub.com contains many VMs described as 'breakable, hackable & exploitable’. I am running many of these VMs in a local Proxmox server in my home. After I’m done with them, I create a writeup for the machine and post it here. This is great practice for HTB machines and to develop my pentesting skills!
HTB: CDSA certification The Hack The Box Certified Defensive Security Analyst (HTB CDSA) is an intermediate certification to demonstrate practical skills “in the security analysis, SOC operations, and incident handling domains”. Currently progressing at a steady pace in the SOC Analyst path!
CyberDefenders: SOC Analyst Tracks CyberDefenders is an online platform containing many cybersecurity blue-team labs to enhance SOC skills. I am currently working through the SOC Analyst Tier 1 track, and I will be posting my writeups in this site. I plan on continuing with the Tier 2 track and possibly pursue the CCDL1 cert in the future. Great platform for DFIR skills!