Penetration Testing, Incident Response and Forensics from Coursera

This course gives you the background needed to gain Cybersecurity skills as part of the Cybersecurity Security Analyst Professional Certificate program.

You will learn about the different phases of penetration testing, how to gather data for your penetration test and popular penetration testing tools. Furthermore, you will learn the phases of an incident response, important documentation to collect, and the components of an incident response policy and team. Finally, you will learn key steps in the forensic process and important data to collect.

This course also gives you a first look at scripting and the importance to a system analyst.

This course is intended for anyone who wants to gain a basic understanding of Cybersecurity or as the fifth course in a series of courses to acquire the skills to work in the Cybersecurity field as a Cybersecurity Analyst.

The completion of this course also makes you eligible to earn the Penetration Testing, Incident Response and Forensics IBM digital badge. More information about the badge can be found https://www.youracclaim.com/org/ibm/badge/penetration-testing-incident-response-and-forensics.

In this course you will learn to:

• Describe penetration testing tools and the benefits to an organization

• Describe a deep dive into incident response techniques and tools

• Describe digital forensics and digital evidence.

• Discuss the power of scripting.

What's inside

Syllabus

Penetration Testing

In this module you will learn the importance of understanding penetration testing, the phases of penetration testing and tools available for penetration testing.

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Designed for career changers or those looking to bolster their existing skills in cybersecurity.

Earn a digital badge upon completion

Led by a team of experienced IBM instructors

Provides a strong foundation for beginners in cybersecurity

Covers key concepts in penetration testing, incident response, and forensics.

Introduces scripting and its importance in cybersecurity

Reviews summary

Foundational cybersecurity concepts & tools

According to typical expectations for courses of this caliber, learners can anticipate a solid foundational understanding of penetration testing, incident response, and digital forensics. The course is designed to offer a highly relevant and practical overview of key concepts and methodologies crucial for aspiring cybersecurity analysts. The inclusion of an introduction to scripting, specifically Python basics, is a valuable addition. While providing a comprehensive breadth across these critical areas, the depth is generally introductory, suggesting that students might need further self-study or advanced courses for specialization. Overall, it serves as an excellent starting point for a cybersecurity career.

Introduces foundational Python scripting for security.

"The scripting module provided a useful first look at Python's applications in cybersecurity."

"I got a good overview of why scripting is important for security analysts and automation."

"It was a brief but necessary introduction to automation concepts, which is valuable in the field."

Well-organized into distinct and manageable modules.

"I found the course modules to be logically structured and easy to follow for learning."

"The division of topics into distinct modules helped me process the information effectively."

"Each section flowed well, building upon previous concepts, which enhanced my learning experience."

Content directly applicable to a cybersecurity analyst role.

"This course is highly relevant to what a cybersecurity analyst does day-to-day."

"I appreciate how the topics covered prepare you for real-world scenarios and common tasks."

"The focus on essential tools and methodologies is very practical for career development."

Provides essential knowledge in core cybersecurity domains.

"I feel I gained a good grasp of the basic principles of penetration testing."

"The incident response section gave me a clear understanding of the phases involved."

"I found the digital forensics module very helpful for learning key concepts and processes."

Offers broad overview, but not deep specialization.

"The course is a good start, but it doesn't go into advanced topics or complex techniques."

"I found it to be more of an overview rather than a deep dive into each specific area."

"For deeper expertise, I know I'll need to pursue more specialized learning after this course."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Penetration Testing, Incident Response and Forensics with these activities:

Review Previous Cybersecurity Knowledge

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Solidify knowledge in cybersecurity fundamentals before taking this course.

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Review notes from previous cybersecurity courses
Complete practice problems related to penetration testing, incident response, and digital forensics

Review Phases of Penetration Testing

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Review the phases of penetration testing to establish the purpose and methods of this process.

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Recall the five phases of penetration testing: planning, reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation, and reporting.
Summarize the key objectives of each phase.
Identify the tools and techniques commonly used in each phase.

Discuss Cybersecurity Concepts with Peers

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Engage in peer-to-peer learning and exchange perspectives on cybersecurity concepts.

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Join or form a study group with peers
Identify discussion topics related to the course material
Engage in active discussions and share insights

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Explore Scripting Languages for Cybersecurity

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Expand your knowledge and skills in scripting for cybersecurity applications.

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Learn the basics of Python scripting.
Develop scripts to automate cybersecurity tasks.
Utilize scripting for data analysis and threat detection.

Practice Penetration Testing Techniques

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Reinforce your understanding of penetration testing techniques through hands-on practice.

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Set up a virtual environment for penetration testing.
Utilize tools such as Nmap, Nessus, and Metasploit to perform scans and exploits.
Analyze vulnerabilities and identify potential attack vectors.
Document your findings and create a comprehensive penetration testing report.

Review Penetration Testing Fundamentals

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Reinforce your understanding of penetration testing concepts and techniques.

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Explore online resources and tutorials on penetration testing.
Follow along with video demonstrations and hands-on exercises.
Practice using penetration testing tools and techniques in a virtual environment.

Follow Tutorials on Penetration Testing Tools

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Deepen understanding of the functionality and application of penetration testing tools.

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Identify and select tutorials from reputable sources
Complete tutorials on different penetration testing tools
Practice using the tools in a controlled environment

Explore Incident Response Procedures

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Enhance your understanding of incident response by exploring industry best practices and case studies.

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Review the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and its incident response guidance.
Follow online tutorials on incident response techniques and tools.
Analyze real-world incident response case studies to identify common challenges and best practices.

Develop an Incident Response Plan

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Apply your knowledge of incident response by creating a comprehensive plan.

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Identify potential incident scenarios and threats.
Define roles and responsibilities within the incident response team.
Establish communication protocols and documentation procedures.
Review and test the incident response plan regularly.

Simulate Incident Response Scenarios

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Develop practical skills in responding to and mitigating cybersecurity incidents.

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Identify resources to practice incident response scenarios
Simulate various incident response scenarios
Analyze and document the incident response process

Conduct Digital Forensic Analysis Exercises

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Enhance your forensic skills through hands-on practice.

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Acquire and analyze digital evidence using forensic tools.
Extract and interpret data from computer systems, networks, and mobile devices.
Document and present forensic findings in a clear and concise manner.

Write a Summary on Digital Forensics Techniques

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Reinforce understanding of digital forensics techniques through written expression.

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Research and gather information on digital forensics techniques
Outline the main points and structure of the summary
Write a clear and concise summary of the techniques

Build a Digital Forensics Toolkit

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Develop practical skills in assembling and utilizing a digital forensics toolkit.

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Research and identify essential tools for digital forensics
Configure and install the tools on a virtual or physical machine
Test and document the functionality of the toolkit

Develop a Penetration Testing Plan

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Demonstrate the ability to plan and execute a penetration testing project.

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Define the scope and objectives of the penetration test
Identify and gather information on the target system
Develop a detailed penetration testing plan
Execute the penetration test and document the findings

Career center

Learners who complete Penetration Testing, Incident Response and Forensics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Penetration Tester

**Penetration Testers** are responsible for assessing the security of computer systems and networks by simulating attacks. This course can help you build a foundation in penetration testing, including the phases of penetration testing, tools available for penetration testing, and how to gather data for your penetration test.

See salaries and explore the career path for Penetration Tester

Incident Responder

**Incident Responders** are responsible for responding to and investigating security incidents. This course can help you build a foundation in incident response, including the phases of an incident response, the importance of documentation, and the components of an incident response policy and team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Incident Responder

Digital Forensic Analyst

**Digital Forensic Analysts** are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting digital evidence. This course can help you build a foundation in digital forensics, including the forensic process, different sources of forensic data, and the chain of custody as it relates to forensics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Forensic Analyst

Cybersecurity Analyst

**Cybersecurity Analysts** are responsible for protecting computer systems and networks from security threats. This course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity, including penetration testing, incident response, digital forensics, and scripting.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Analyst

Security Engineer

**Security Engineers** are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining security systems and solutions. This course can help you build a foundation in security engineering, including penetration testing, incident response, digital forensics, and scripting.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Engineer

Vulnerability Analyst

**Vulnerability Analysts** are responsible for identifying and assessing vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks. This course can help you build a foundation in vulnerability analysis, including penetration testing, incident response, and digital forensics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Vulnerability Analyst

Security Auditor

**Security Auditors** are responsible for reviewing and assessing the security of computer systems and networks. This course can help you build a foundation in security auditing, including penetration testing, incident response, and digital forensics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Auditor

Ethical Hacker

**Ethical Hackers** are responsible for legally and ethically hacking computer systems and networks to identify and assess vulnerabilities. This course can help you build a foundation in ethical hacking, including penetration testing, incident response, and digital forensics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ethical Hacker

Security Consultant

**Security Consultants** are responsible for providing security advice and guidance to organizations. This course can help you build a foundation in security consulting, including penetration testing, incident response, and digital forensics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Consultant

Cybersecurity Manager

**Cybersecurity Managers** are responsible for overseeing the cybersecurity of an organization. This course can help you build a foundation in cybersecurity management, including penetration testing, incident response, digital forensics, and scripting.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Manager

Information Security Analyst

**Information Security Analysts** are responsible for protecting an organization's information from security threats. This course can help you build a foundation in information security, including penetration testing, incident response, and digital forensics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Network Security Engineer

**Network Security Engineers** are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining the security of networks. This course can help you build a foundation in network security, including penetration testing, incident response, and digital forensics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Security Engineer

Cloud Security Engineer

**Cloud Security Engineers** are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining the security of cloud computing environments. This course can help you build a foundation in cloud security, including penetration testing, incident response, and digital forensics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Security Engineer

Systems Security Engineer

**Systems Security Engineers** are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining the security of computer systems. This course can help you build a foundation in systems security, including penetration testing, incident response, and digital forensics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Security Engineer

Application Security Engineer

**Application Security Engineers** are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining the security of software applications. This course can help you build a foundation in application security, including penetration testing, incident response, and digital forensics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Application Security Engineer