Crack the Code Cyber Security Mastery #259001

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Analyze the Cyber Threat Landscape: Identify current and emerging threats, threat actors, and their methodologies.

• Conduct Vulnerability Assessments and Penetration Testing: Utilize ethical hacking techniques to proactively identify and exploit system vulnerabilities in a controlled environment.

• Implement Robust Defensive Strategies: Design and configure network defenses, including firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and access controls.

• Respond to Security Incidents: Execute a structured incident response plan to detect, contain, eradicate, and recover from a security breach.

• Apply Core Security Principles: Implement the principles of confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA triad) across IT infrastructure.

• Develop a Security-First Mindset: Make risk-based decisions and effectively communicate cyber risks to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

This course is designed for IT professionals and others responsible for protecting digital assets.

• IT Administrators, Network Engineers, and Systems Analysts

• Aspiring Security Analysts, SOC Analysts, and Security Consultants

• IT Managers and Risk & Compliance Officers

• Software Developers interested in building secure applications (DevSecOps)

• Senior Management seeking to understand cyber risk (optional high-level track)

• Pre-assessment
• Live group instruction
• Use of real-world examples, case studies and exercises
• Interactive participation and discussion
• Power point presentation, LCD and flip chart
• Group activities and tests
• Each participant receives a binder containing a copy of the presentation
• slides and handouts
• Post-assessment

Day 1: Foundations – The Hacker’s Mindset & Reconnaissance

• Morning:

  • Module 1: The Cyber Security Universe: Introduction to the course, the threat landscape, and the ethics of ethical hacking.

  • Module 2: The CIA Triad & Security Fundamentals: Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability. Introduction to cryptography.

• Afternoon:

  • Module 3: Footprinting and Reconnaissance: Passive and active information gathering techniques (OSINT).

  • Lab 1: The Art of Discovery: Using tools like whois, nslookup, and theHarvester to profile a target.

  • Day 1 Recap: Knowing your enemy and yourself.

Day 2: Scanning & Vulnerability Analysis

• Morning:

  • Module 4: Network Scanning Methodologies: Identifying live hosts, open ports, and running services.

  • Module 5: Enumeration: Extracting valuable information about users, groups, and network resources.

• Afternoon:

  • Module 6: Vulnerability Assessment: Introduction to vulnerability scanners.

  • Lab 2: Mapping the Attack Surface: Using tools like Nmap and Nessus to scan a network and analyze results for weaknesses.

  • Day 2 Recap: Finding the open doors.

Day 3: Gaining Access – Exploitation

• Morning:

  • Module 7: Introduction to Exploitation: Understanding exploits, payloads, and Metasploit.

  • Module 8: Web Application Attacks: OWASP Top 10 deep dive (e.g., SQL Injection, Cross-Site Scripting – XSS).

• Afternoon:

  • Module 9: Password Attacks & Social Engineering: Techniques and defenses.

  • Lab 3: The Controlled Breach: Using a framework like Metasploit to exploit a known vulnerability and gain initial access on a target machine.

  • Day 3 Recap: Cracking the code and crossing the threshold.

Day 4: Post-Exploitation & Defense-in-Depth

• Morning:

  • Module 10: Post-Exploitation Techniques: What to do after gaining access? Privilege escalation, persistence, and lateral movement.

  • Module 11: Building the Defense: Security Architecture: Principles of defense-in-depth, zero trust, and segmentation.

• Afternoon:

  • Module 12: Defensive Tools of the Trade: Configuring firewalls (iptables), IDS/IPS (Snort), and antivirus solutions.

  • Lab 4: Fortifying the Castle: Hardening a system based on the vulnerabilities found earlier. Configuring a firewall to block attack vectors.

  • Day 4 Recap: Holding the fort and building stronger walls.

Day 5: Incident Response & Capstone Challenge

• Morning:

  • Module 13: The Incident Response Lifecycle: Preparation, Identification, Containment, Eradication, Recovery, and Lessons Learned.

  • Module 14: Digital Forensics Fundamentals: Live vs. dead box analysis, log analysis, and evidence handling.

• Afternoon:

  • Capstone Activity: The Cyber Range Exercise: Teams are placed in a simulated corporate network. One team plays as Red Team (attackers) and another as Blue Team (defenders).

    • Red Team: Objective: Breach the system and exfiltrate data.

    • Blue Team: Objective: Defend the network, detect the intrusion, and respond accordingly.

  • Hot Wash Debrief: Teams present their strategies, findings, and lessons learned.

  • Course Conclusion: Review, career pathways, and awarding of certificates.