Overview

This course provides an in-depth, hands-on guide to managing incident response in Windows environments. You will learn how to detect, analyze, and mitigate cyber threats that target Windows-based systems, giving you the tools needed to safeguard your organization’s infrastructure. With a focus on real-world applications, this course ensures that learners understand how to handle sophisticated attacks and effectively secure their systems. Throughout the course, you will master techniques for proactive threat hunting and response planning. By applying actionable strategies, you will learn how to tackle cyberattacks head-on and minimize their impact. This course will equip you with the skills to detect and respond to attacks quickly and efficiently, protecting your organization from advanced threats. What sets this course apart is its combination of theoretical knowledge and real-world application. You’ll not only understand the framework for incident response but also be guided through practical scenarios that reflect actual challenges faced in Windows environments. The course draws from real-world experience, ensuring that every lesson is valuable and immediately applicable. This course is designed for IT professionals, cybersecurity practitioners, and incident response teams, especially those working in or with Windows-based systems. A basic understanding of Windows systems and cybersecurity concepts is recommended for optimal learning outcomes.

Syllabus

Introduction to the Threat Landscape

In this section, we examine Windows-specific threat vectors, threat actor motivations, and threat intelligence frameworks to enhance proactive risk management and response strategies.

Understanding the Attack Life Cycle

In this section, we analyze the attack life cycle phases for Windows systems, map MITRE ATT&CK tactics to unified kill chain stages, and design incident response strategies based on attack stages.

Phases of an Efficient Incident Response on Windows Infrastructure

In this section, we cover incident response strategies for Windows systems, focusing on detection, verification, and containment.

Endpoint Forensic Evidence Collection

In this section, we explore methods for collecting volatile and non-volatile forensic evidence from endpoints, emphasizing best practices for preservation and analysis in incident response.

Gaining Access to the Network

In this section, we examine Phase 1 of the unified kill chain, focusing on initial access techniques like public-facing application exploits, spear-phishing, and drive-by compromises. Key forensic artifacts and analysis methods are discussed to detect and mitigate early-stage threats.

Establishing a Foothold

In this section, we examine post-exploitation techniques, focusing on C2 communication, registry persistence, and event log analysis to detect and mitigate advanced threats.

Network and Key Assets Discovery

In this section, we examine network discovery techniques, key asset identification, and methods to detect and mitigate such activities in a Windows environment.

Network Propagation

In this section, we examine network propagation in cyberattacks, focusing on lateral movement in Windows, detection strategies, and cyclical attack stages to enhance defensive measures.

Data Collection and Exfiltration

In this section, we examine data types targeted by attackers, techniques for data collection and exfiltration, and methods for detection to enhance defensive strategies.

Impact

In this section, we examine the direct and indirect impacts of security incidents, including data loss and reputational damage, and focus on strategies for effective impact assessment and mitigation.

Threat Hunting and Analysis of TTPs

In this section, we explore proactive threat hunting strategies, focusing on leveraging threat intelligence, anomaly detection, and known threat actor TTPs to identify and prevent cyber attacks early.

Incident Containment, Eradication, and Recovery

In this section, we explore incident containment, eradication, and recovery strategies, focusing on isolating systems, removing threats, and restoring operations using structured playbooks for efficient incident response.