Security Weekly Podcast Network (Audio) Building a Hacking Lab in 2025 - PSW #906
7 snips
Dec 25, 2025 Bill Swearengin, an experienced security practitioner, joins Tyler Robinson, a security professional, Adrian Sanabria, a cybersecurity expert, and Dr. Doug White, a security educator. They explore essential topics like modern lab hardware choices, the best virtualization options, and the impact of AI on lab setups. The group discusses cost-effective hardware picks, safety considerations, and legal boundaries for hardware hacking. Insights on using Security Onion for network visibility and building a minimal starter lab are also shared.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Start With Virtualization
- Start virtual: spin up VMs with VMware, Proxmox, or KVM/LibVirt to learn quickly and cheaply.
- Learn KVM/LibVirt for Linux performance, but use VMware Workstation or Proxmox for easiest setup.
Old Servers Cost More Than You Think
- Modern hardware is far more power-efficient so old servers can be costly and noisy to run at home.
- Consider M-series Macs, compact desktops, or reclaimed enterprise gear for better cost-to-performance balance.
Buy Reclaimed Enterprise Gear
- Buy used corporate servers or reclaimed gear to get high RAM and cores for modest cost.
- Part out units if needed to assemble a capable Proxmox/virtualization host under $1,000.