From Programming Curiosity to Cybersecurity Confidence at the Louisiana State University SOC: Meet Thien Le
At TekStream, we’re proud to highlight rising cybersecurity professionals coming through the Louisiana State University Shreveport (LSUS) Security Operations Center (SOC) pipeline. One of those talented students is Thien Le, a driven and inquisitive cybersecurity student who’s been sharpening his skills in real-world threat detection and analysis.
Thien is set to graduate with his Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity and Networking in May 2025, with plans to complete his Master’s degree by May 2026. With a strong foundation in both programming and networking, Thien is on a mission to become a well-rounded security professional, and his time at the LSUS SOC is accelerating that journey.
Finding a Passion in Programming and Networking
Thien’s cybersecurity path started at the Caddo Career Center, where he explored courses ranging from EMR and Work Trade Safety to Programming and Networking. It was the hands-on exposure to programming and network systems that really caught his attention—and led him to pursue a cybersecurity career that bridges both.
“I am most interested in Programming and Networking, so I decided to pursue Cyber Security,” Thien shared.
Building Skills in the SOC
Over the past year, Thien has handled 256 events in the SOC, gaining valuable exposure to real-world incident response. His average audit score of 4.3 reflects the care and consistency he brings to his work. His pod currently protects only one school—LSU-Shreveport—which allows for focused, in-depth work on securing that particular institution.
His favorite memory so far? The first brute-force attack he got to investigate.
“Working in the SOC has provided me with insights into both attacking and defending,” Thien explained. “As someone with a penetration testing certification, it’s been eye-opening to see the other side of the equation.”
In addition to mastering alert triage and investigation, Thien has gained hands-on experience with tools like Splunk, SOAR, AbuseIPDB, and VirusTotal. He’s also actively studied for the CompTIA Security+, part of LSUS SOC’s well-known certification training support system.
Eyes on the Future
Thien holds CompTIA Security+, HTB CPTS, and OffSec OSCP certifications—credentials that speak to his technical depth and dedication. His ideal next step is a role as a Jr. Penetration Tester or Tier I SOC Analyst.
While he’s based in Louisiana, Thien is open to relocation if necessary and will be ready for full-time employment after May 2026.
Advice for Future Cyber Students
Thien is big on documentation and stresses how vital it is in the cybersecurity field.
“Reporting and documentation are among the most important skills professionals need to possess,” he advises. “It’s important to learn technical writing, understand how to format documents properly, and ensure they look visually appealing.”
Want to connect with Thien?
Check him out on LinkedIn and see how he’s preparing to make waves in the cybersecurity world.
See the full program here!