Duration: 5 days – 35 hrs
Overview
The Foundations of Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) Operations training course provides participants with essential knowledge and skills to effectively detect, respond to, and mitigate cybersecurity incidents. Through a combination of theoretical learning and practical exercises, participants will gain a deep understanding of CERT operations, incident response procedures, and best practices in cybersecurity.
Objectives
- Understand the role and responsibilities of a Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) in managing cybersecurity incidents.
- Learn the key principles and concepts of incident response, including detection, analysis, containment, eradication, and recovery.
- Familiarize with various tools, techniques, and technologies used in CERT operations for incident detection, analysis, and mitigation.
- Develop skills in threat intelligence gathering, analysis, and utilization to enhance incident detection and response capabilities.
- Learn forensic techniques for investigating security incidents, including evidence collection, preservation, and analysis.
- Understand the importance of effective communication, coordination, and collaboration within a CERT team and with external stakeholders.
- Gain insights into policy, compliance, and legal considerations relevant to CERT operations.
- Participate in simulated exercises and hands-on labs to apply incident response procedures and improve readiness to handle real-world cybersecurity incidents.
Audience
- Cybersecurity Professionals: Individuals working in cybersecurity roles, such as incident responders, security analysts, threat hunters, and security operations center (SOC) analysts, who are responsible for detecting, analyzing, and responding to cybersecurity incidents.
- IT Administrators and System Administrators: Professionals responsible for managing IT infrastructure, networks, and systems, who need to understand incident response procedures and play a role in coordinating with CERT teams during security incidents.
- Network Administrators: Individuals involved in network monitoring, management, and security, who require knowledge of incident detection and response techniques to identify and mitigate network security threats.
- Security Engineers: Engineers responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining security controls and technologies, who benefit from understanding incident response processes to improve the security posture of their organizations.
- Compliance Officers and Risk Managers: Professionals responsible for ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and managing cybersecurity risks, who need to understand incident response procedures to develop effective risk mitigation strategies.
- IT Managers and Executives: Managers and executives responsible for overseeing cybersecurity programs and managing incident response teams, who require knowledge of CERT operations to make informed decisions and allocate resources effectively during security incidents.
- Consultants and Auditors: Consultants and auditors providing cybersecurity consulting services or conducting security assessments, who need to understand CERT operations to assess the effectiveness of incident response capabilities within organizations.
- Law Enforcement and Legal Professionals: Individuals from law enforcement agencies and legal departments involved in cybersecurity investigations and legal proceedings, who require knowledge of incident response and forensic techniques to support legal and regulatory compliance efforts.
- Students and Aspiring Cybersecurity Professionals: Students pursuing a career in cybersecurity or individuals interested in transitioning into cybersecurity roles, who seek foundational knowledge of CERT operations and incident response principles to start their careers in the field.
- Anyone Interested in Cybersecurity: Individuals from diverse backgrounds interested in learning about cybersecurity and incident response, who want to enhance their understanding of cybersecurity concepts and best practices to better protect themselves and their organizations from cyber threats.
Prerequisites
- Basic understanding of cybersecurity concepts and principles
- Familiarity with IT infrastructure and network architecture
- Some experience in incident response or cybersecurity operations is beneficial but not required
Course Content
Day 1: Introduction to Computer Emergency Response Teams
Understanding Cybersecurity Threat Landscape
- Types of cyber threats and attacks
- Current trends and statistics in cybersecurity incidents
Introduction to CERTs
- History and evolution of CERTs
- Role and responsibilities of a CERT
- Types of CERTs (national, sectoral, organizational)
Legal and Ethical Considerations
- Laws and regulations related to cybersecurity and incident response
- Ethics and best practices in handling incidents
Incident Response Lifecycle
- Overview of the incident response process
- Preparation phase: policies, procedures, and planning
- Detection and analysis phase: recognizing and assessing incidents
Day 2: Incident Handling and Response
Incident Categorization and Prioritization
- Classifying incidents based on severity and impact
- Prioritizing response actions
Communication and Coordination
- Internal communication within the CERT team
- External communication with stakeholders, partners, and authorities
Evidence Collection and Preservation
- Techniques for collecting and preserving digital evidence
- Chain of custody and forensic best practices
Containment and Eradication
- Strategies for containing and mitigating the impact of incidents
- Removing threats and restoring systems to a secure state
Documentation and Reporting
- Importance of documenting incident details and response actions
- Creating incident reports for internal and external use
Day 3: Advanced CERT Operations and Exercises
Advanced Threats and Attack Vectors
- Exploring advanced cyber threats
- Understanding common attack vectors and techniques
Malware Analysis and Reverse Engineering
- Basics of malware analysis
- Techniques for reverse engineering malicious code
Incident Simulation Exercise
- Hands-on simulation of a real-world incident
- Applying incident response skills and techniques in a controlled environment
Post-Incident Analysis and Lessons Learned
- Reviewing the incident response process
- Identifying areas for improvement and lessons learned
