“Mastering Incident Response and Cybersecurity Threat Management”
What you will learn
Introduction to Incident Handling and Response
Incident Handling Process
Digital Evidence and Forensics
Types of Incidents
Why take this course?
The 212-89: Incident Handler course is a comprehensive, hands-on program designed to equip professionals with the skills and knowledge required to effectively manage and respond to security incidents within an organization. As cyber threats continue to grow in both sophistication and frequency, the ability to handle security breaches efficiently is critical to safeguarding data, networks, and systems. This course provides a deep dive into the incident handling lifecycle, from identification and containment to eradication, recovery, and post-incident analysis. The primary goal is to help security professionals master the essential aspects of incident response, ensuring they can mitigate damage and prevent future occurrences.
Overview of Incident Handling and Response
In the rapidly evolving landscape of cybersecurity, incidents can range from simple phishing attacks to complex Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). As these threats become more frequent and sophisticated, organizations need highly skilled professionals who can quickly detect, analyze, and mitigate security incidents. The 212-89: Incident Handler course provides participants with the tools, methodologies, and best practices to handle incidents, from the initial detection phase through recovery and lessons learned.
The course emphasizes the importance of a structured and methodical approach to incident handling, guided by recognized industry standards such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Computer Security Incident Handling Guide. The curriculum also covers common incident types, effective use of incident response tools, and how to develop an effective incident response plan.
Key Topics Covered
- Introduction to Incident Handling and Response:
- Understanding the importance of incident response in cybersecurity.
- Defining security incidents and categorizing them (e.g., malware attacks, data breaches, denial-of-service attacks).
- The role of an incident handler and the skills required to perform effectively.
- The Incident Handling Process:
- Preparation: Establishing an incident response team, policies, and procedures.
- Identification: Detecting and recognizing security incidents using tools like Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), log analysis, and network monitoring.
- Containment: Isolating affected systems to limit the scope of an incident and prevent further damage.
- Eradication: Removing the root cause of the incident, such as eliminating malware or closing vulnerabilities.
- Recovery: Restoring systems and data to their normal operations while ensuring that they remain secure.
- Lessons Learned: Post-incident analysis and reporting to improve future incident response and prevent similar incidents.
- Incident Response Tools and Techniques:
- Familiarizing with key tools used in incident handling, including forensics tools, malware analysis tools, and SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) systems.
- Techniques for analyzing logs, network traffic, and endpoint activity to identify and understand security incidents.
- Hands-on exercises in applying these tools to real-world scenarios.
- Types of Cybersecurity Incidents:
- Malware and ransomware attacks.
- Insider threats and social engineering.
- Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks.
- Data breaches and leaks.
- Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs).
- Phishing and spear-phishing attacks.
- Web application attacks and vulnerabilities.
- Legal and Regulatory Considerations in Incident Handling:
- Understanding the legal implications of incident response, including reporting requirements.
- Complying with regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS during an incident.
- Managing communication with legal teams, management, and external stakeholders.
- Incident Response Documentation and Reporting:
- Documenting every phase of the incident response process.
- Writing post-incident reports and analysis, detailing how the incident was handled, what went wrong, and what measures were taken.
- Creating incident response playbooks to streamline the process and ensure that all actions are well-documented for future reference.
- Managing Incident Response Teams:
- Building an effective incident response team with the right mix of skills.
- Coordinating among various departments, including IT, legal, communications, and management.
- Conducting incident response tabletop exercises to prepare the team for real-life scenarios.
- Improving Incident Response Post-Incident:
- Analyzing what went well and what could be improved.
- Refining incident response policies and procedures based on lessons learned.
- Ensuring continuous improvement through regular training and simulations.