Course Overview
Complex cyberattacks and Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) require exceptional capabilities in digital forensics and deep response. This advanced course aims to empower Tier 2 analysts (SOC Tier II) and security team leads to master memory and disk forensics methodologies, deconstruct malware, and apply proactive Threat Hunting techniques, ultimately leading to root containment and safe, highly efficient system recovery.
Course Objectives
- Master Digital Forensics and Incident Response (DFIR) methodologies during live incidents and RAM analysis to detect hidden threats.
- Conduct deep forensic analysis of disks and system logs to identify the initial point of compromise and track the attacker’s lateral movement.
- Develop static and dynamic malware analysis skills and write precise detection rules using YARA & Sigma Rules.
- Utilize Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) and proactive threat hunting methodologies according to the MITRE ATT&CK framework.
- Master advanced containment strategies and root threat eradication, ensuring systems are restored to operation with complete security.
Target Audience
- Tier 2 Cybersecurity Analysts (SOC Tier II) and Incident Response Specialists.
- Security Team Leads and SOC Managers.
- Digital Forensic Investigators and Malware Analysis Specialists.
- Information Security Engineers and Consultants seeking to develop advanced threat hunting skills.
Course Syllabus
The course modules are divided over 5 days as follows:
Day 1: Advanced Digital Forensics and Deep Response
- Live Forensics & DFIR methodologies.
- Collecting digital forensic evidence and maintaining the Chain of Custody.
- Memory Forensics using the Volatility tool.
- Detecting hidden malware in memory (Fileless Malware & Process Hollowing).
Day 2: Disk & Host Forensics
- Deep analysis of file systems and system logs (MFT, USN Journal, Prefetch, Shimcache).
- Windows Registry analysis to discover Persistence Mechanisms.
- Super Timeline Analysis to identify the initial point of compromise (Patient Zero).
- Lateral Movement Tracking within the network.
Day 3: Malware Triage for Responders
- Setting up a secure Sandbox Environment for analyzing suspicious samples.
- Basic and advanced Static Analysis and examining file properties.
- Dynamic & Behavioral Analysis and monitoring system and network changes.
- Writing detection rules (YARA Rules & Sigma Rules) to search for similar samples in the production environment.
Day 4: Threat Intelligence and Threat Hunting
- Integrating Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) into investigation processes.
- Hypothesis-Driven Threat Hunting methodology.
- Tracking advanced attacker Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) based on the MITRE ATT&CK framework.
- Analyzing advanced Ransomware and Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) attacks.
Day 5: Containment, Eradication, and Recovery
- Advanced containment strategies and network isolation without destroying forensic evidence.
- Root threat Eradication plans and patching exploited vulnerabilities.
- Safe Recovery procedures to restore systems and ensure they are free of Backdoors.
- Practical Project: Full investigation of a complex breach incident from the moment of escalation until incident closure.
Expected Impact on the Trainee
- Mastery in leading complex digital forensic investigations and extracting crucial evidence from memory and disks.
- High capability to deconstruct advanced malware behavior and build custom detection rules to protect the work environment.
- Transitioning from a reactive approach to a proactive one by applying Threat Hunting methodologies.
- Managing containment, eradication, and recovery operations for severe attacks (like Ransomware and APTs) without compromising evidence integrity or business continuity.
This course represents the most critical milestone for professionals aspiring to elevate their skills to an advanced level in digital forensics and incident response, providing them with the professional tools and methodologies required to defeat the most complex cyberattacks and protect their organizations’ assets.
