Welcome to My First Cybersecurity/Info Tech/InfoSec Post!
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re a lifelong learner like me! In this post, I’ll dive into some foundational questions about home labs:
- Why should anyone build a home lab?
- What exactly is a home lab?
- What can a home lab do?
Let’s get started!
What is a Home Lab?
A home lab is a dedicated environment where new systems, software, projects, and ideas can come to life. For me, it has been an incredible way to explore hardware, software, application development, virtualization, cybersecurity, simulated attacks, and so much more.
Most people don’t know what the term “home lab” means, but for IT enthusiasts, it’s a happy place—a personal sandbox for learning, testing, and failing safely without real-world consequences.
In simple terms, a home lab is a setup that allows for development and experimentation in a low-cost, controlled environment. It’s an excellent tool for building skills in IT, cybersecurity, and related fields. Personally, my home lab has been instrumental in developing the skills I need to pursue a cybersecurity career.
Where is a Home Lab?
This can be a tricky question. Where do you put your home lab so it doesn’t disrupt family or roommates?
Home labs can be either:
- Cloud-based: Hosted by providers like AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, or Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. Many providers offer free tiers or trials, which are excellent for learning cloud platforms and hosting simple applications.
- On-premises: Physical setups at home using local servers or old hardware.
Picking the Right Location
The first step is choosing a location for your on-premises home lab. Common options include:
- A home office
- Living room
- Closet
- Attic
- Basement
- Garage
- Utility closet
Each of these comes with its own challenges, so consider the following factors before deciding:
- HVAC/Ventilation: Does the space have adequate cooling for your equipment?
- Power: Can your circuits handle the extra load?
- Internet Access: Is reliable internet available where you plan to set up?
- Ease of Access: Can you easily reach your equipment for maintenance?
Remember, your home lab doesn’t need enterprise-level uptime—it’s a personal learning environment.
What Do You Need to Start a Home Lab?
To start your home lab journey, you’ll need to define its objectives and gather the necessary hardware and software.
Setting Objectives
Understanding the purpose of your home lab helps you figure out what resources you’ll need. My home lab goals included:
- Learning virtualization (e.g., VMware ESXi, vCenter)
- Practicing penetration testing (e.g., Kali Linux, Kioptrix)
- Exploring networking (e.g., firewalls, VLANs, zones)
- Hosting/testing applications (e.g., Netbox, UniFi, UISP, development web servers)
Choosing Hardware
Start small and look for budget-friendly or free hardware. Great places to find hardware include:
- Garage sales
- Craigslist
- eBay
- Government auctions
- Donations from local companies
My first home lab was an old gaming rig that introduced me to virtual machines (VMs). Over time, I’ve been lucky to acquire older firewalls, switches, and servers that companies no longer needed.
Selecting Software
There are two main routes for home lab setups:
- Virtualization: This is the path I recommend. Proxmox is an excellent free virtualization platform for beginners.
- Single OS Hosts: Less flexible but can still work for specific projects.
Microsoft also offers development tools and packages that are great for experimenting and learning.
Why Build a Home Lab?
Building a home lab has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for advancing my skills in IT and cybersecurity. It’s a place to experiment, fail, and learn—all without real-world consequences.
Here are some key benefits:
- Skill Development: A home lab helps you refine existing skills and learn new ones.
- Career Growth: Demonstrating your home lab projects can give you an edge during job applications.
- Testing Ground: Use it to test work deployments or ideas before implementing them in production environments.
The process can be challenging—countless hours, late nights, and problem-solving—but it’s worth it if you’re passionate about learning and growing in IT.
Final Thoughts
A home lab is more than just a technical setup; it’s a personal space to explore, innovate, and grow. Whether you’re building one for career development, experimentation, or sheer curiosity, the possibilities are endless.
So, what are you waiting for? Start building your home lab today and unlock a world of learning and opportunities!
About Garrett Ohrenberg
Garrett Ohrenberg is a seasoned IT Security Professional with over 5 years of experience in network security, identity and access management (IAM), endpoint protection, and cloud operations. Known for his technical expertise and creative problem-solving, Garrett specializes in designing secure, scalable systems that enhance organizational efficiency and resilience.
With a strong foundation in cybersecurity and information technology, Garrett is also skilled in system integrations, virtualization, and OSINT, making him a versatile asset in tackling complex infrastructure challenges. His passion for securing assets and improving systems is matched only by his commitment to lifelong learning and staying ahead of the curve in emerging technologies.
Outside of IT, Garrett is a talented photographer and videographer with expertise in sports, branding, music, editorial, and architectural content creation. Based in Nashville and Kansas City, he thrives on capturing meaningful stories for people and brands, blending his technical and creative talents to deliver exceptional results.
When he’s not securing systems or behind the lens, Garrett enjoys traveling, lifting, and fostering community connections. He’s driven by a passion for growth, innovation, and leaving a positive impact in both his professional and personal endeavors.