After taking this course, you should be able to:

• Explain how a Security Operations Center (SOC) operates and describe the different types of services that are performed from a Tier 1 SOC analyst’s perspective.
• Explain Network Security Monitoring (NSM) tools that are available to the network security analyst.
• Explain the data that is available to the network security analyst.
• Describe the basic concepts and uses of cryptography.
• Describe security flaws in the TCP/IP protocol and how they can be used to attack networks and hosts.
• Understand common endpoint security technologies.
• Understand the kill chain and the diamond models for incident investigations, and the use of exploit kits by threat actors.
• Identify resources for hunting cyber threats.
• Explain the need for event data normalization and event correlation.
• Identify the common attack vectors.
• Identify malicious activities.
• Identify patterns of suspicious behaviors.
• Conduct security incident investigations.
• Explain the use of a typical playbook in the SOC.
• Explain the use of SOC metrics to measure the effectiveness of the SOC.
• Explain the use of a workflow management system and automation to improve the effectiveness of the SOC.
• Describe a typical incident response plan and the functions of a typical Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT).
• Explain the use of Vocabulary for Event Recording and Incident Sharing (VERIS) to document security incidents in a standard format.

• Defining the Security Operations Center
• Understanding Network Infrastructure and Network Security Monitoring Tools
• Exploring Data Type Categories
• Understanding Basic Cryptography Concepts
• Understanding Common TCP/IP Attacks
• Understanding Endpoint Security Technologies
• Understanding Incident Analysis in a Threat-Centric SOC
• Identifying Resources for Hunting Cyber Threats
• Understanding Event Correlation and Normalization
• Identifying Common Attack Vectors
• Identifying Malicious Activity
• Identifying Patterns of Suspicious Behavior
• Conducting Security Incident Investigations
• Using a Playbook Model to Organize Security Monitoring
• Understanding SOC Metrics
• Understanding SOC Workflow and Automation
• Describing Incident Response
• Understanding the Use of VERIS
• Understanding Windows Operating System Basics
• Understanding Linux Operating System Basics

Lab outline

• Use SIEM Tools to Analyze Data Categories
• Explore Cryptographic Technologies
• Explore TCP/IP Attacks
• Explore Endpoint Security
• Investigate Hacker Methodology
• Hunt Malicious Traffic
• Correlate Event Logs, Packet Captures (PCAPs), and Alerts of an Attack
• Investigate Browser-Based Attacks
• Analyze Suspicious Domain Name System (DNS) Activity
• Explore Security Data for Analysis
• Investigate Suspicious Activity Using Security Onion
• Investigate Advanced Persistent Threats
• Explore SOC Playbooks
• Explore the Windows Operating System
• Explore the Linux Operating System

This course is designed for individuals seeking a role as an associate-level cybersecurity analyst, IT professionals desiring knowledge in Cybersecurity operations or those in pursuit of the Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate certification including:

• Students pursing a technical degree
• Current IT professionals
• Recent college graduates with a technical degree

Before taking this course, you should have the following knowledge and skills:

• Familiarity with Ethernet and TCP/IP networking
• Working knowledge of the Windows and Linux operating systems
• Familiarity with basics of networking security concepts

The following Cisco course can help you gain the knowledge you need to prepare for this course:

• Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA