Cisco Cybersecurity Certifications - CyberOps Professional
1 Introduction to CyberOps
1-1 Understanding CyberOps
1-2 Role of a CyberOps Analyst
1-3 CyberOps Professional Certification Overview
2 Cyber Threat Landscape
2-1 Types of Cyber Threats
2-2 Threat Actors and Motives
2-3 Threat Intelligence Sources
3 Network Fundamentals
3-1 OSI and TCPIP Models
3-2 Network Devices and Their Functions
3-3 Network Addressing (IP, MAC)
3-4 Subnetting and VLANs
4 Security Fundamentals
4-1 CIA Triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability)
4-2 Security Policies and Procedures
4-3 Risk Management and Mitigation
5 Network Security Devices
5-1 Firewalls
5-2 Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)
5-3 Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS)
5-4 Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW)
6 Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
6-1 SIEM Architecture and Components
6-2 Log Management and Analysis
6-3 Correlation Rules and Alerts
6-4 Reporting and Dashboards
7 Incident Response
7-1 Incident Response Process (IRP)
7-2 Preparation and Detection
7-3 Containment, Eradication, and Recovery
7-4 Post-Incident Activity and Lessons Learned
8 Threat Hunting
8-1 Threat Hunting Concepts
8-2 Threat Hunting Techniques
8-3 Tools and Platforms for Threat Hunting
8-4 Case Studies and Real-World Scenarios
9 Malware Analysis
9-1 Types of Malware
9-2 Malware Analysis Techniques
9-3 Tools for Malware Analysis
9-4 Case Studies and Real-World Scenarios
10 Cloud Security
10-1 Cloud Security Concepts
10-2 Cloud Security Models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)
10-3 Cloud Security Best Practices
10-4 Cloud Security Tools and Platforms
11 Automation and Orchestration
11-1 Automation Concepts in CyberOps
11-2 Orchestration Tools and Platforms
11-3 Use Cases for Automation and Orchestration
11-4 Security Automation Best Practices
12 CyberOps Professional Capstone Project
12-1 Project Planning and Requirements
12-2 Implementation and Execution
12-3 Testing and Validation
12-4 Documentation and Presentation
Introduction to CyberOps

Introduction to CyberOps

CyberOps, short for Cybersecurity Operations, is a specialized field within cybersecurity that focuses on the day-to-day management and monitoring of an organization's security posture. This involves detecting, responding to, and mitigating cyber threats in real-time. The Cisco CyberOps Professional certification is designed to equip individuals with the skills needed to excel in this critical role.

Key Concepts in CyberOps

1. Security Operations Center (SOC)

A Security Operations Center (SOC) is a centralized unit that deals with security issues on an organizational and technical level. It acts as the nerve center for monitoring, detecting, analyzing, and responding to cybersecurity incidents. Think of a SOC as a 24/7 watchtower that continuously scans for potential threats and takes immediate action when necessary.

2. Incident Response

Incident Response is the process of identifying, analyzing, and mitigating security incidents. This involves a series of steps: preparation, detection and analysis, containment, eradication, recovery, and post-incident activity. Imagine incident response as a fire drill: you prepare for the worst, quickly identify the problem, contain the damage, extinguish the threat, restore normal operations, and learn from the experience to prevent future incidents.

3. Threat Hunting

Threat Hunting is the proactive search for threats that are already inside a network. Unlike traditional monitoring, which waits for alerts, threat hunting actively seeks out malicious activity. Think of it as a detective searching for clues in a crime scene, looking for patterns and anomalies that might indicate a hidden threat.

4. Log Management

Log Management involves collecting, analyzing, and storing logs from various systems and applications. Logs are essential for understanding what happened during a security incident. Think of logs as the black box in an airplane: they record everything that happens, providing crucial information for post-incident analysis.

5. Automation in CyberOps

Automation in CyberOps refers to the use of technology to perform tasks without human intervention. This can include automated threat detection, response, and reporting. Automation is like having a robot assistant that can handle repetitive tasks quickly and accurately, freeing up human operators to focus on more complex issues.

Examples and Analogies

Consider a large corporation as a city. The SOC would be the city's police department, constantly patrolling and responding to emergencies. Incident Response would be the SWAT team, ready to handle high-risk situations. Threat Hunting would be the undercover agents, looking for hidden dangers. Log Management would be the city's surveillance system, recording everything that happens. Automation would be the traffic lights and automated toll booths, handling routine tasks efficiently.

By understanding these key concepts, you'll be well-prepared to tackle the challenges of CyberOps and protect your organization from cyber threats.