Incident Response: Network Analysis from Pluralsight

Walking into an incident response situation can be intimidating. This course will teach you how to analyze the network data, correlate network artifacts, and begin to piece together the story of what happened.

In an incident response scenario, gathering artifacts for analysis can be stressful. In this course, Incident Response: Network Analysis, you'll learn how to analyze network artifacts in a compromised environment. First, you'll take the initial indicators from an attack and pull out relevant artifacts. Next, you'll correlate these artifacts with other phases of the attack chain, working backwards to tell the story of what happened. Finally, you'll broaden your search to look for additional lanes of compromise and determine the incident's full scope. When you're finished with this course, you'll have the skills necessary to operate as an incident response network analyst and understand how to synchronize with the other phases of incident response.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

Creating the Story

Ransomware Communication

Lateral Movement

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Teaches a method of analysis that may be applicable in various employment situations

Builds foundational skills in network analysis for incident response

Offers a structured approach to network analysis with specific phases to guide the investigation

May be useful for security analysts, incident responders, and other professionals involved in network security

Requires prior knowledge and experience in network security and incident response

Reviews summary

Practical network analysis for incident response

According to students, this course offers a solid foundation and practical insights into network analysis for incident response. Many highlight the hands-on labs and real-world scenarios as particularly effective for bridging theory and practice, making complex topics digestible. While it's largely seen as excellent for aspiring and new analysts, some experienced learners note that certain modules might feel basic or could benefit from more advanced challenges, suggesting additional self-study might be needed for deeper dives. Recent feedback suggests improvements in course delivery, enhancing its standing.

Recent feedback suggests enhancements in lab stability and overall clarity.

"I struggled to follow along at times, as some lab instructions were unclear and buggy when I first took it."

"The labs were incredibly realistic and well-supported, which made them a joy to work through without any technical glitches."

"No issues with production quality or audio; everything was professional and consistently clear throughout the course."

Instructor effectively simplifies complex concepts for easier understanding.

"The instructor's explanations were clear and concise, making complex topics digestible and easy to follow."

"The instructor does an amazing job explaining complex network analysis concepts, truly breaking them down."

"I found the instructor very knowledgeable and great at breaking down challenging topics into understandable segments."

Excellent starting point for new and aspiring incident responders.

"Excellent course for anyone starting in IR. It provides a solid foundation."

"As an aspiring analyst, this course gave me the core skills I needed to begin my journey in incident response."

"I gained a solid foundation from completing this course, especially in correlating network artifacts."

Provides valuable hands-on experience for real-world application.

"The hands-on labs were incredibly realistic and helped solidify my understanding of network analysis tools."

"The real-world scenarios really help bridge the gap between theory and practice. Highly recommend for aspiring analysts."

"I learned how to apply techniques directly; the practical exercises were the strongest part of the course for me."

Some experienced learners desire more advanced and in-depth topics.

"Content is good, but I wish there were more advanced challenges, especially for someone with prior experience."

"The course provides a good overview, but I felt it lacked depth in certain areas, particularly specific protocol analysis."

"As an experienced analyst, I found some initial sections a bit slow; could benefit from more advanced material in later modules."

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 Incident Response: Network Analysis with these activities:

Gather resources on Network Analysis

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Prepare yourself for this course by gathering resources on Incident Response and Network Analysis to strengthen your understanding of the field.

Browse courses on Network Analysis

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Identify and compile relevant articles, books, and online resources on Network Analysis fundamentals.
Review the collected resources to gain a foundational understanding of key concepts in Network Analysis and Incident Response.

Join a study group or online forum for Incident Response

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Connect with peers and subject matter experts through study groups or online forums to exchange knowledge, ask questions, and collaborate on Incident Response scenarios.

Browse courses on Incident Response

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Identify active study groups or online forums dedicated to Incident Response.
Join the group or forum and actively participate in discussions, sharing your knowledge and experiences.
Engage with other members, ask questions, and provide insights to enhance your understanding and collective knowledge.

Follow online tutorials on network data analysis

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Enhance your understanding of network data analysis techniques by following online tutorials and practicing on real-world datasets.

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Identify reputable online platforms and resources offering guided tutorials on network data analysis.
Select tutorials that align with your skill level and learning interests.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step, taking notes and practicing the techniques demonstrated.
Seek clarification and support from the tutorial instructors or online forums if needed.

Four other activities

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Analyze network traffic using tools like Wireshark and tcpdump

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Gain proficiency in analyzing network traffic using industry-standard tools to identify patterns and potential threats.

Browse courses on Network Traffic Analysis

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Familiarize yourself with the features and functionalities of network analysis tools like Wireshark and tcpdump.
Capture network traffic using these tools and save it for offline analysis.
Apply filters and techniques to analyze captured traffic, identifying patterns, anomalies, and potential security threats.
Document your findings and generate reports summarizing your analysis.

Create a blog post or presentation on a specific network analysis technique

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Enhance your understanding and communication skills by creating a blog post or presentation on a specific network analysis technique, explaining its applications and benefits.

Browse courses on Network Security

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Choose a specific network analysis technique that aligns with your interests and the course content.
Research the technique thoroughly, gathering information from credible sources.
Organize your content into a logical structure, including an introduction, explanation of the technique, its applications, and benefits.
Write or present your blog post or presentation in a clear and engaging manner.
Share your blog post or presentation with peers or the broader community for feedback and discussion.

Mentor junior professionals or students interested in Incident Response

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Reinforce your understanding and leadership skills by mentoring junior professionals or students interested in Incident Response, guiding their development and providing valuable insights.

Browse courses on Incident Response

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Identify opportunities to mentor junior professionals or students interested in Incident Response, either through formal programs or informal connections.
Share your knowledge and experiences in Incident Response, providing guidance and support.
Offer practical advice and feedback on their projects or assignments related to Incident Response.
Inspire and motivate mentees, encouraging their interest and growth in the field.

Contribute to open-source projects related to Network Analysis

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Deepen your knowledge and contribute to the community by participating in open-source projects related to Network Analysis, gaining hands-on experience with real-world applications.

Browse courses on Network Analysis

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Identify open-source projects related to Network Analysis that align with your interests and skills.
Review the project documentation and familiarize yourself with the codebase.
Identify areas where you can contribute, such as bug fixes, feature enhancements, or documentation improvements.
Submit your contributions to the project repository through pull requests or other established channels.
Engage with the project community, discuss your contributions, and seek feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Incident Response: Network Analysis will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Network Analyst

Network Analysts analyze network data to identify and resolve problems. They may also design and implement network security measures. This course would be helpful for Network Analysts because it would teach them how to analyze network data in a compromised environment. This knowledge could help them to identify and resolve problems more quickly and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Analyst

Incident Responder

Incident Responders are responsible for responding to security incidents. They may also develop and implement security incident response plans. This course would be helpful for Incident Responders because it would teach them how to analyze network data in a compromised environment. This knowledge could help them to develop more effective security incident response plans and to respond to incidents more quickly and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Incident Responder

Security Analyst

Security Analysts are responsible for identifying and mitigating security risks. They may also develop and implement security policies and procedures. This course would be helpful for Security Analysts because it would teach them how to analyze network data in a compromised environment. This knowledge could help them to identify and mitigate security risks more effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Analyst

Computer Forensic Analyst

Computer Forensic Analysts are responsible for investigating computer crimes. They may also develop and implement computer forensic procedures. This course would be helpful for Computer Forensic Analysts because it would teach them how to analyze network data in a compromised environment. This knowledge could help them to investigate computer crimes more effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Forensic Analyst

Penetration Tester

Penetration Testers are responsible for testing the security of computer systems. They may also develop and implement penetration testing tools and techniques. This course would be helpful for Penetration Testers because it would teach them how to analyze network data in a compromised environment. This knowledge could help them to develop more effective penetration testing tools and techniques.

See salaries and explore the career path for Penetration Tester

Malware Analyst

Malware Analysts are responsible for analyzing malware. They may also develop and implement malware detection and prevention tools and techniques. This course would be helpful for Malware Analysts because it would teach them how to analyze network data in a compromised environment. This knowledge could help them to develop more effective malware detection and prevention tools and techniques.

See salaries and explore the career path for Malware Analyst

Network Engineer

Network Engineers are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining computer networks. They may also develop and implement network security measures. This course may be helpful for Network Engineers because it would teach them how to analyze network data in a compromised environment. This knowledge could help them to design, implement, and maintain more secure networks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer

Systems Administrator

Systems Administrators are responsible for maintaining computer systems. They may also develop and implement system security measures. This course may be helpful for Systems Administrators because it would teach them how to analyze network data in a compromised environment. This knowledge could help them to maintain more secure systems.

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Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts are responsible for protecting information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. They may also develop and implement information security policies and procedures. This course may be helpful for Information Security Analysts because it would teach them how to analyze network data in a compromised environment. This knowledge could help them to protect information more effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Security Consultant

Security Consultants provide advice and guidance on security matters. They may also develop and implement security solutions. This course may be helpful for Security Consultants because it would teach them how to analyze network data in a compromised environment. This knowledge could help them to provide better advice and guidance on security matters.

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Risk Analyst

Risk Analysts assess the risks associated with various activities. They may also develop and implement risk management plans. This course may be helpful for Risk Analysts because it would teach them how to analyze network data in a compromised environment. This knowledge could help them to assess the risks associated with various activities more effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Analyst

Cybersecurity Architect

Cybersecurity Architects design and implement cybersecurity solutions. They may also develop and implement cybersecurity policies and procedures. This course may be helpful for Cybersecurity Architects because it would teach them how to analyze network data in a compromised environment. This knowledge could help them to design and implement more effective cybersecurity solutions.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve problems. They may also develop and implement data science models and algorithms. This course may be helpful for Data Scientists because it would teach them how to analyze network data in a compromised environment. This knowledge could help them to develop and implement more effective data science models and algorithms.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software. They may also develop and implement software security measures. This course may be helpful for Software Engineers because it would teach them how to analyze network data in a compromised environment. This knowledge could help them to design, develop, and maintain more secure software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Cloud Engineer

Cloud Engineers design, develop, and maintain cloud computing solutions. They may also develop and implement cloud security measures. This course may be helpful for Cloud Engineers because it would teach them how to analyze network data in a compromised environment. This knowledge could help them to design, develop, and maintain more secure cloud computing solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Engineer