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Coursera

Security Operations Center (SOC)

Cisco via Coursera

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Overview

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Learn the core functions of a Security Operations Center (SOC) and elevate your incident response skills with our comprehensive analyst training program designed for associate-level professionals. This course provides the essential skills to protect organizational assets against sophisticated cyber-attacks by focusing on SIEM integration, incident response workflows, and advanced threat-hunting techniques. Designed for associate-level analysts, the curriculum addresses the challenge of managing high-volume data by teaching you to leverage workflow management systems and automation to reduce incident detection time. You will gain a deep understanding of SOC team roles, the business benefits of centralized monitoring, and the technical strategies required to balance proactive protection with operational agility. To succeed, participants should possess CCNA-level networking knowledge, familiarity with TCP/IP, and foundational experience with Windows and Linux operating systems. By the end of this course, you will be equipped to handle the complexities of modern cybersecurity, effectively mitigating threats while streamlining SOC operations for maximum efficiency in any enterprise landscape.

Syllabus

  • Introduction to Security Operations Center
    • In this module, you will explore what a Security Operations Center, or SOC, does and how SOC team members support day-to-day security monitoring and response. You will identify common threat actors, their motivations, and the assets and systems they target. You will also examine why organizations implement SOCs, the business value they provide, and the technical and procedural challenges SOCs commonly face.
  • Security Operations Center Processes and Services
    • In this module, you will examine the core responsibilities of a Security Operations Center (SOC) and how it works with other teams across the organization. You will place the SOC within the incident response lifecycle, from detection through recovery. You will also outline the key services a SOC provides across each incident response phase.
  • SOC Deployment Models and Types
    • In this module, you will distinguish common SOC types (for example, internal, outsourced, and hybrid) and the staffing considerations that shape each, such as roles, coverage models, and escalation paths. You will also compare SOC deployment models (on‑premises, cloud, and managed services) and connect each to typical consumer profiles based on needs like cost, control, scalability, and response expectations.
  • Staffing an Effective SOC Team
    • In this module, you will examine the core roles on an effective SOC team and how each role supports incident response. You will outline the key skills expected for common SOC positions and the primary tools each role relies on. You will also identify how SOC team members coordinate with one another and communicate with external groups during an incident.
  • Security Events Data and SOC Analyst Tools
    • In this module, you will identify the types of data a Security Operations Center (SOC) relies on and how security event data fits into SOC monitoring and analysis. You will distinguish SOC-relevant data sources and the kinds of events they produce. You will also review common SOC tools and the key features that support collecting, correlating, and analyzing security data.
  • Developing Key Relationships with Internal and External Stakeholders
    • In this module, you will identify the external intelligence resources, regulatory bodies, and government and industry organizations a SOC communicates with. You will outline how these relationships support security operations and coordination across stakeholders. You will also describe the key policies, procedures, and governance rules that guide SOC engagement with users, HR, and legal when violations are detected.
  • Understanding SOC Metrics
    • In this module, you will focus on how SOC metrics are used to measure and communicate SOC effectiveness. You will examine core ideas behind security data aggregation and how it supports consistent reporting. You will explore Time to Detection (TTD) in a network security context and what it indicates about detection performance. You will consider how to describe the detection effectiveness of security controls using SOC-focused metrics.
  • Understanding SOC Workflow and Automation
    • In this module, you will describe core SOC workflow management system (WMS) concepts and their role in security operations. You will outline how a typical workflow management system is integrated within a SOC. You will describe what SOC WMS integration involves across tools and processes. You will provide an example of how SOC workflow automation is applied in practice.

Taught by

Cisco Learning & Certifications

Reviews

5.0 rating, based on 2 Class Central reviews

4.8 rating at Coursera based on 373 ratings

Start your review of Security Operations Center (SOC)

  • Anonymous
    The "Security Operations Center (SOC)" course offered by Cisco via Coursera is an excellent resource for associate-level cybersecurity analysts aiming to enhance their understanding of SOC workflows and automation. The course is structured into modu…
  • Anonymous
    This is the best certification for me and I have learned the most basic and crucial information concerning Security Operation Center
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