Cybersecurity Fundamentals: Master the Cyber Kill Chain & PCAP Analysis

What you will learn:

Master the Cyber Kill Chain framework and its application to real-world scenarios.
Become proficient in PCAP file analysis using Wireshark, a powerful network protocol analyzer.
Identify and interpret Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) in network traffic.
Develop effective defensive strategies to mitigate threats at each phase of an attack.

Description

In today's digital landscape, robust cybersecurity is paramount. This course provides a practical, in-depth understanding of how cyberattacks occur, equipping you with the skills to prevent, detect, and respond effectively. We'll dissect the seven stages of the Lockheed Martin Cyber Kill Chain, illustrating attacker methodologies from initial reconnaissance to data exfiltration.

You'll gain hands-on experience analyzing real-world PCAP files using Wireshark, learning to identify malicious network traffic patterns and indicators of compromise (IOCs). This course goes beyond theoretical knowledge; you'll develop practical skills to improve your incident response capabilities. We cover various attack vectors and defense strategies, providing a comprehensive approach to network security.

What you will achieve:

Master the Cyber Kill Chain framework.
Become proficient in PCAP file analysis with Wireshark.
Identify and interpret network indicators of compromise (IOCs).
Develop effective incident response strategies.
Understand real-world attack scenarios and mitigation techniques.

Whether you're a cybersecurity enthusiast, IT professional, or aspiring security analyst, this course will significantly enhance your skill set and prepare you for a successful career in cybersecurity. Enroll today and transform your understanding of network security.

Curriculum

Course Introduction and Foundations

This introductory section sets the stage for the course. "What Will You Learn in This Course?" provides a clear overview of the course content and objectives (2:20). "Understanding My Accent & Why I’m Sharing This Course" offers a brief personal introduction and context (0:54). Then we delve into the fundamentals of the Cyber Kill Chain, beginning with an explanation of its importance and the concepts of passive reconnaissance (11:54). We continue by exploring active reconnaissance techniques (10:38) and finally, we introduce the Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) framework (9:59).

Understanding Attack Phases: Weaponization to Exploitation

This section breaks down crucial stages of the attack lifecycle. You will learn to differentiate between malware, exploits, and payloads (6:48), understand the weaponization phase and its techniques (7:51), analyze the delivery phase (5:08), explore the exploitation phase and learn what a hacker does after gaining unauthorized access to a system (4:08 + 8:10).

Advanced Attack Phases: Installation to Exfiltration

Here, we cover the final stages of a typical cyberattack. The Installation Phase is discussed in detail (11:24), followed by a comprehensive explanation of the Command & Control (C2) phase (9:45). Finally, we explore the Actions on Objectives (Exfiltration) phase, where data is stolen or systems are compromised (5:01).

Mastering PCAP Analysis with Wireshark

This section is dedicated to hands-on PCAP analysis. We will cover Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) (23:13) and perform detailed analysis of two real-world PCAP files illustrating a web server attack, broken down into Part 1 (23:51) and Part 2 (9:19). The section concludes with important notes summarizing key concepts (2:58).