Security Operations Center (SOC) from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Security Operations Center

If you are an associate-level cybersecurity analyst who is working in security operation centers, this course will help you acquire the fundamental skills required in a security operations center. You will learn the primary functions of a security operations center (SOC) and the critical role it plays in protecting organizational assets from cyber-attacks. By the end of the course, you will be able to: • Gain an understanding of SOC team member’s daily activities and responsibilities. • Identify who these bad actors are, their motives, why they attack, and what they attack. • Review the goals of implementing a SOC and covers the business benefits that an organization achieves by employing a SOC. • Introduce technical and procedural challenges in a SOC. To be successful in this course, you should have the following background: 1. Skills and knowledge equivalent to those learned in Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA) v1.0 course 2. Familiarity with Ethernet and TCP/IP networking 3. Working knowledge of the Windows and Linux operating systems 4. Familiarity with basics of networking security concepts.

Security Operations Center Processes and Services

If you are an associate-level cybersecurity analyst who is working in security operation centers, this lesson evaluates SOC processes and services. By the end of the course, you will be able to: • Understand primary responsibilities of a SOC and its interactions with other departments within the organization.• Understand various services that a SOC provides throughout the incident response phases. To be successful in this course, you should have the following background: 1. Skills and knowledge equivalent to those learned in Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA) v1.0 course 2. Familiarity with Ethernet and TCP/IP networking 3. Working knowledge of the Windows and Linux operating systems 4. Familiarity with basics of networking security concepts.

SOC Deployment Models and Types

If you are an associate-level cybersecurity analyst who is working in security operation centers, this course will help you understand SOC types, staffing considerations, and deployment models and their consumers. By the end of the course, you will be able to: • Describe various SOC types and staffing considerations. • Describe SOC deployment models and their corresponding consumer profiles. To be successful in this course, you should have the following background: 1. Skills and knowledge equivalent to those learned in Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA) v1.0 course 2. Familiarity with Ethernet and TCP/IP networking 3. Working knowledge of the Windows and Linux operating systems 4. Familiarity with basics of networking security concepts.

Staffing an Effective SOC Team

If you are an associate-level cybersecurity analyst who is working in security operation centers, this course will help you to understand about staff that work in SOC and their personnel roles and titles. Describe the necessary skills to work in a SOC. By the end of the course, you will be able to: • Describe the role of each SOC member in general and in the context of incidence response. Describe the skill set of each SOC member and their toolkit components. • Describe the interactions of SOC members with each other and external entities in the context of incidence response. To be successful in this course, you should have the following background: 1. Skills and knowledge equivalent to those learned in Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA) v1.0 course 2. Familiarity with Ethernet and TCP/IP networking 3. Working knowledge of the Windows and Linux operating systems 4. Familiarity with basics of networking security concepts.

Security Events Data and SOC Analyst Tools

If you are an associate-level cybersecurity analyst who is working in security operation centers, this course will help you understand the data collection and data analytics activities performed in a SOC. Identify tools for performing data collection and analysis activities and how they complement each other. By the end of the course, you will be able to: • Describe SOC relevant data and security event data. • Describe SOC tools and their features. To be successful in this course, you should have the following background: 1. Skills and knowledge equivalent to those learned in Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA) v1.0 course 2. Familiarity with Ethernet and TCP/IP networking 3. Working knowledge of the Windows and Linux operating systems 4. Familiarity with basics of networking security concepts.

Developing Key Relationships with Internal and External Stakeholders

If you are an associate-level cybersecurity analyst who is working in security operation centers, this course will help you understand the importance of using effective tools and developing a good relationship with external organizations. Describe the most important tools and software the SOC team uses to achieve this goal. By the end of the course, you will be able to: • Describe intelligence resources, regulatory agencies, and government industry organizations with which the SOC communicates. • Describe the policies, procedures, and governance rules to integrate with SOC procedures that define how it engages with users, HR, and legal in response to detected violations of procedures. To be successful in this course, you should have the following background: 1. Skills and knowledge equivalent to those learned in Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA) v1.0 course 2. Familiarity with Ethernet and TCP/IP networking 3. Working knowledge of the Windows and Linux operating systems 4. Familiarity with basics of networking security concepts.

Understanding SOC Metrics

If you are an associate-level cybersecurity analyst who is working in security operation centers, this course will help you explain the use of SOC metrics to measure the effectiveness of the SOC. By the end of the course, you will be able to: • Explain security data aggregation. • Explain Time to Detection (TTD) in context to network security. • Describe security controls detection effectiveness. • Describe SOC metrics. To be successful in this course, you should have the following background: 1. Skills and knowledge equivalent to those learned in Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA) v1.0 course 2. Familiarity with Ethernet and TCP/IP networking 3. Working knowledge of the Windows and Linux operating systems 4. Familiarity with basics of networking security concepts.

Understanding SOC Workflow and Automation

If you are an associate-level cybersecurity analyst who is working in security operation centers, this course will help you understand the use of a workflow management system and automation to improve the effectiveness of the SOC. By the end of the course, you will be able to: • Describe SOC WMS concepts. • Describe how a typical workflow management system is integrated within a SOC.• Describe SOC WMS integration. • Provide an example of SOC workflow automation. To be successful in this course, you should have the following background: 1. Skills and knowledge equivalent to those learned in Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA) v1.0 course 2. Familiarity with Ethernet and TCP/IP networking 3. Working knowledge of the Windows and Linux operating systems 4. Familiarity with basics of networking security concepts.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores fundamental skills and primary functions of a security operations center (SOC) for cybersecurity analysts working in SOCs

Teaches about bad actors' motivations, targets, and attack methods in cybersecurity

Develops knowledge of SOC team responsibilities and daily activities

Introduces technical and procedural challenges encountered in SOCs

Reviews the business benefits of implementing a SOC

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 Security Operations Center (SOC) with these activities:

Explore Case Studies and Best Practices from Industry Experts

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Gain valuable insights and learn from the experiences of seasoned professionals in the field.

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Read industry blogs and articles
Watch webinars and online presentations
Attend conferences and workshops

Participate in SOC Team Discussions

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Engage with peers to share knowledge, best practices, and lessons learned in SOC operations.

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Join online discussion forums or communities
Attend virtual or in-person meetups
Collaborate on projects or research

Attend Specialized SOC Workshops

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Deepen your knowledge and skills by attending workshops tailored to specific SOC topics.

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Identify relevant workshops
Register and attend the workshop
Participate активно in discussions and exercises
Follow up with the facilitators

Five other activities

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Develop a SOC Incident Response Plan

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Create an actionable plan to effectively respond to security incidents within the SOC.

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Identify potential security threats and risks
Establish a clear incident response process
Define roles and responsibilities for incident response team members
Develop communication and escalation procedures
Test and refine the incident response plan

Conduct Regular Security Incident Simulations

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Enhance team coordination and response capabilities by simulating real-world security incidents.

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Define scenarios and objectives for the simulation
Set up the simulation environment
Execute the simulation
Evaluate the simulation results
Make improvements based on lessons learned

Configure and Deploy a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) System

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Gain hands-on experience in setting up and managing a central platform for collecting, analyzing, and monitoring security events.

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Choose and procure a SIEM solution
Design and implement a data collection strategy
Configure SIEM rules and alerts
Integrate SIEM with other security tools
Monitor and maintain the SIEM system

Contribute to Open-Source Security Projects

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Gain practical experience and make meaningful contributions while enhancing your cybersecurity skills.

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Identify open-source projects in the SOC domain
Contribute code or documentation
Engage with the community

Develop a Security Operations Center (SOC) Maturity Assessment Report

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Evaluate the maturity level of your organization's SOC and identify areas for improvement.

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Define the scope and objectives of the assessment
Gather data and conduct interviews
Analyze the data and identify gaps
Develop recommendations for improvement
Write and present the assessment report

Career center

Learners who complete Security Operations Center (SOC) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Security Analyst

Security Analysts are responsible for the day-to-day operations of an organization's security operations center (SOC). The course's introduction to the functions and processes of a SOC, as well as the challenges and metrics involved, provides a solid foundation for aspiring Security Analysts. The course also covers the skills and tools needed for data collection, analysis, and relationship-building, all of which are essential for success in this role.

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Cybersecurity Analyst

Cybersecurity Analysts work to protect organizations from cyber threats by monitoring and analyzing security data, investigating incidents, and developing and implementing security measures. The course's focus on SOC operations, incident response, and security tools provides a strong foundation for individuals interested in a career in Cybersecurity Analysis. By understanding the daily activities and responsibilities of SOC team members, as well as the technical and procedural challenges they face, learners can gain valuable insights into the practical aspects of this role.

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Incident Responder

Incident Responders handle security incidents and breaches within an organization's network. The course's coverage of SOC processes and services, as well as its emphasis on incident response, provides valuable knowledge for aspiring Incident Responders. By understanding the roles and responsibilities of SOC team members during incident response, as well as the tools and techniques used, learners can gain a competitive edge in this field.

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Security Engineer

Security Engineers design, implement, and manage security solutions to protect organizations from cyber threats. The course's overview of SOC deployment models and types, as well as its focus on security tools and data analysis, provides a solid foundation for aspiring Security Engineers. By understanding the different types of SOCs and their staffing considerations, as well as the data and tools used for security monitoring and analysis, learners can gain valuable insights into the technical aspects of this role.

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Security Consultant

Security Consultants provide expert advice and guidance to organizations on cybersecurity matters. The course's coverage of SOC operations and services, as well as its emphasis on developing relationships with internal and external stakeholders, provides valuable knowledge for aspiring Security Consultants. By understanding the role of the SOC in incident response, as well as the tools and techniques used for security monitoring and analysis, learners can gain a competitive edge in this field.

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Penetration Tester

Penetration Testers evaluate the security of computer systems and networks by simulating attacks from malicious actors. The course's coverage of SOC operations and services, as well as its focus on security tools and data analysis, provides valuable knowledge for aspiring Penetration Testers. By understanding the different types of SOCs and their staffing considerations, as well as the data and tools used for security monitoring and analysis, learners can gain valuable insights into the technical aspects of this role.

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Vulnerability Analyst

Vulnerability Analysts identify and assess vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks. The course's coverage of SOC operations and services, as well as its focus on security tools and data analysis, provides valuable knowledge for aspiring Vulnerability Analysts. By understanding the different types of SOCs and their staffing considerations, as well as the data and tools used for security monitoring and analysis, learners can gain valuable insights into the technical aspects of this role.

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SOC Manager

SOC Managers oversee the operations of a security operations center (SOC). The course's comprehensive coverage of SOC operations and services, as well as its focus on staffing and management considerations, provides valuable knowledge for aspiring SOC Managers. By understanding the different types of SOCs and their staffing considerations, as well as the tools and techniques used for security monitoring and analysis, learners can gain valuable insights into the managerial aspects of this role.

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IT Security Manager

IT Security Managers are responsible for developing and implementing an organization's IT security strategy. The course's overview of SOC operations and services, as well as its focus on security tools and data analysis, provides valuable knowledge for aspiring IT Security Managers. By understanding the different types of SOCs and their staffing considerations, as well as the data and tools used for security monitoring and analysis, learners can gain valuable insights into the technical aspects of this role.

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Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) are responsible for overseeing an organization's cybersecurity strategy and operations. The course's overview of SOC operations and services, as well as its focus on security tools and data analysis, provides valuable knowledge for aspiring CISOs. By understanding the different types of SOCs and their staffing considerations, as well as the data and tools used for security monitoring and analysis, learners can gain valuable insights into the managerial aspects of this role.

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Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts plan and implement security measures to protect an organization's information systems and data. The course's overview of SOC operations and services, as well as its focus on security tools and data analysis, provides valuable knowledge for aspiring Information Security Analysts. By understanding the different types of SOCs and their staffing considerations, as well as the data and tools used for security monitoring and analysis, learners can gain valuable insights into the technical aspects of this role.

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Network Security Engineer

Network Security Engineers design, implement, and manage network security solutions to protect organizations from cyber threats. The course's overview of SOC operations and services, as well as its focus on security tools and data analysis, provides valuable knowledge for aspiring Network Security Engineers. By understanding the different types of SOCs and their staffing considerations, as well as the data and tools used for security monitoring and analysis, learners can gain valuable insights into the technical aspects of this role.

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System Administrator

System Administrators manage and maintain computer systems and networks. The course's overview of SOC operations and services, as well as its focus on security tools and data analysis, provides valuable knowledge for aspiring System Administrators. By understanding the different types of SOCs and their staffing considerations, as well as the data and tools used for security monitoring and analysis, learners can gain valuable insights into the technical aspects of this role.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to identify trends and patterns. The course's focus on security tools and data analysis, as well as its coverage of SOC operations and services, provides valuable knowledge for aspiring Data Analysts. By understanding the different types of SOCs and their staffing considerations, as well as the data and tools used for security monitoring and analysis, learners can gain valuable insights into the technical aspects of this role.

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Security Architect

Security Architects design and implement security solutions to protect organizations from cyber threats. The course's overview of SOC operations and services, as well as its focus on security tools and data analysis, provides valuable knowledge for aspiring Security Architects. By understanding the different types of SOCs and their staffing considerations, as well as the data and tools used for security monitoring and analysis, learners can gain valuable insights into the technical aspects of this role.

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