📊 Domain Overview
📈 Topic Breakdown
🎯 Learning Objectives
- ✓ Understand network architectures and security implications
- ✓ Master threat detection and analysis techniques
- ✓ Learn proactive threat hunting methodologies
- ✓ Optimize security operations and processes
🏗️ 1.1 System and Network Architecture Concepts
Effective cybersecurity starts with a deep understanding of system and network architecture. Key concepts include:
Virtualization and Cloud Computing
Organizations increasingly rely on virtualized infrastructure and cloud services. Analysts must understand hypervisors, virtual networks, and cloud models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) to assess risks and design defenses.
Load Balancers, Proxies, and NAT Devices
These devices manage network traffic and obscure internal structures. Security monitoring must account for these technologies to correctly interpret source and destination IP addresses.
Zero Trust Architecture
A Zero Trust model enforces "never trust, always verify" by requiring authentication and authorization for every resource access. Microsegmentation further isolates systems to limit breaches.
Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and SDN
IaC automates infrastructure deployment, while SDN abstracts network management. Analysts must monitor these dynamic environments carefully for misconfigurations and vulnerabilities.
🔍 1.2 Analyzing Indicators of Potentially Malicious Activity
Security operations center (SOC) analysts review vast amounts of data to spot malicious behaviors. Below are key skills and techniques used to identify and respond to potential threats.
📜 Log Analysis
Analysts must interpret logs from firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), authentication servers, and endpoints to uncover anomalies. Examples include:
- Repeated failed login attempts (potential brute force attacks)
- Unusual port activity or unauthorized protocol usage
- Spikes in outbound traffic, which may indicate data exfiltration
Learn more about log analysis from Splunk's Log Analysis Guide .
🛡️ Recognizing Attack Patterns
SOC analysts must identify common attack patterns such as:
- Lateral Movement: Attackers moving between systems to escalate privileges
- Privilege Escalation: Gaining unauthorized access to higher-level accounts
- Data Exfiltration: Stealing sensitive data from the network
Refer to the MITRE ATT&CK Framework for detailed examples of attacker tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).
🔍 Indicators of Compromise (IOCs)
IOCs are critical clues that help detect breaches early. Examples include:
- Known malware hashes (e.g., MD5, SHA256)
- Suspicious domain names or URLs
- Rogue IP addresses or unusual geolocations
Learn more about IOCs from Mandiant's IOC Guide .
🛠️ 1.3 Tools and Techniques for Malicious Activity Detection
To detect threats effectively, analysts use a variety of tools and techniques. These tools help identify suspicious activities, analyze data, and respond to potential threats in real-time.
🔍 Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
SIEM platforms like Splunk or QRadar aggregate and correlate security data, enabling rapid identification of suspicious patterns through rule-based or behavioral detection models.
Learn more about SIEM →📡 Packet Capture and Network Analysis
Tools like Wireshark allow analysts to dissect network packets and inspect protocols directly, uncovering evidence of unauthorized access, malware activity, or data leaks.
Wireshark Documentation →🖥️ Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
EDR solutions like CrowdStrike Falcon or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint monitor endpoint activities, providing real-time visibility and allowing analysts to trace attacker behaviors across systems.