Incident Response and Risk Management from Coursera

In this comprehensive course, you will delve into the key components of effective incident response and risk management. The journey begins with building a strong foundation in response planning, focusing on preparation, detection, analysis, containment, and recovery strategies. Through real-world examples and scenarios, you’ll learn how to develop robust incident response plans that are vital during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Each episode provides practical insights and guidance, ensuring you can confidently handle incidents within any IT environment.

Next, you will explore the intricacies of digital forensics, gaining skills in evidence preservation and chain-of-custody management. You’ll also understand how to effectively test and train your incident response capabilities to ensure your team is well-prepared for any eventuality. The course further covers mitigation techniques, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement in your response strategies. Practical advice from industry experts, including insights into NIST cybersecurity frameworks, ensures a well-rounded understanding of these critical concepts.

In the final sections, you will dive into the NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF), learning to integrate security and risk management into your organization’s operations. You will gain a thorough understanding of how to categorize information systems, establish risk management scopes, and implement effective system security plans. The course concludes with business continuity strategies, backup and recovery methods, and the application of virtualization and cloud technologies to ensure seamless recovery and resilience in the face of disruption.

This course is designed for IT and audit professionals, cybersecurity practitioners, and those involved in organizational risk management. A basic understanding of IT security concepts is recommended.

What's inside

Syllabus

Essentials of Incident Response and Digital Forensics in Cybersecurity

In this module, we will explore the foundational elements of incident response and digital forensics in cybersecurity. From developing robust response plans to understanding digital evidence handling, you'll gain essential skills for managing and mitigating cyber threats. This module is particularly relevant for IT and audit professionals looking to enhance their response capabilities.

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Provides practical insights and guidance, ensuring learners can confidently handle incidents within any IT environment, which is useful for professionals in IT and cybersecurity

Explores the intricacies of digital forensics, gaining skills in evidence preservation and chain-of-custody management, which are essential for cybersecurity practitioners

Covers mitigation techniques, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement in response strategies, which is a core tenet of cybersecurity and risk management

Dives into the NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF), learning to integrate security and risk management into an organization’s operations, which is highly relevant to industry standards

Requires a basic understanding of IT security concepts, so learners without this background may need to acquire it before taking the course

Examines the NIST Risk Management Framework, which is a standard for US federal information systems and organizations, but may not be applicable worldwide

Reviews summary

Practical intro to ir and nist rmf

According to learners, this course on Incident Response and Risk Management is a largely positive experience, particularly for those new to formal processes or seeking a solid overview. Students appreciate the well-structured content and the clear and concise instructor. A key strength highlighted by reviewers is the focus on practical examples that are directly applicable to the job, along with the detailed coverage of the NIST Risk Management Framework. However, some feel the course is more of a high-level overview and could benefit from more hands-on labs or greater depth, potentially making it less suitable for experienced professionals seeking advanced knowledge.

Suitable as an introduction but not for experts.

"Good for those new to formal IR processes."

"Good for absolute beginners maybe, but not for experienced pros."

"Felt like a high-level overview rather than a detailed training."

Course structure and presentation are clear.

"Very practical and well-structured."

"The structure follows a logical flow. The examples are helpful."

"Well-presented and easy to follow."

"The instructor was clear and concise."

Deep dive into NIST RMF is appreciated.

"I particularly appreciated the deep dive into the NIST RMF."

"A solid introduction to incident response and risk management. Covers the core concepts well, especially NIST frameworks."

"The risk management content using NIST RMF was well explained."

Useful, real-world examples are a highlight.

"Very practical and well-structured. The examples provided on incident response planning and digital forensics were directly applicable."

"Found this course incredibly helpful for my job. The practical advice on handling incidents and preserving evidence was exactly what I needed."

"The examples are helpful. Could benefit from more recent case studies or updates, but the foundational principles are solid."

Could benefit from more depth or labs.

"Some parts felt a bit theoretical and could use more hands-on labs..."

"Okay course. The content on IR and forensics is decent, but it doesn't go into much depth. Felt like a high-level overview..."

"Could benefit from more recent case studies or updates, but the foundational principles are solid."

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 and Risk Management with these activities:

Review IT Security Fundamentals

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Strengthen your understanding of fundamental IT security concepts to better grasp the incident response and risk management strategies covered in the course.

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Review basic networking concepts.
Study common security threats and vulnerabilities.
Familiarize yourself with security terminology.

Review 'The Practice of System and Network Administration'

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Gain a broader understanding of system administration best practices, which are crucial for effective incident response and risk management.

View The Practice of System and Network... on Amazon

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Read the chapters on incident handling and disaster recovery.
Take notes on key concepts and best practices.
Reflect on how these practices apply to your own environment.

Develop a Basic Incident Response Plan

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Apply the concepts learned in the course by creating a simplified incident response plan for a hypothetical scenario.

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Define the scope of the plan.
Identify potential incident scenarios.
Outline the steps for incident detection, analysis, containment, eradication, and recovery.
Document communication protocols.

Four other activities

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Create a Presentation on NIST RMF

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Solidify your understanding of the NIST Risk Management Framework by creating a presentation that explains its key components and phases.

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Research the NIST Risk Management Framework.
Outline the key components and phases.
Create slides with clear and concise explanations.
Practice your presentation.

Simulate a Phishing Incident

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Practice your incident response skills by simulating a phishing attack and documenting the steps you would take to contain and eradicate it.

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Craft a realistic phishing email.
Monitor for user clicks and report submissions.
Isolate affected systems.
Analyze the email and identify the source.
Document your findings and actions.

Review 'Incident Response & Computer Forensics'

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Deepen your understanding of incident response and digital forensics techniques with this comprehensive guide.

View Incident Response and Computer Forensics,... on Amazon

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Read the chapters on evidence collection and analysis.
Study the different incident response methodologies.
Practice applying the techniques to sample scenarios.

Develop a Business Continuity Plan Template

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Create a reusable template for developing business continuity plans, incorporating the principles and strategies learned in the course.

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Research best practices for business continuity planning.
Identify key components of a BCP.
Design a template with clear sections and instructions.
Include sections for risk assessment, impact analysis, and recovery strategies.

Career center

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

Incident Response Analyst

An Incident Response Analyst is crucial for identifying, analyzing, and resolving security incidents. They develop and implement response plans, and this course helps develop this foundation. The practical insights provided by the course are very useful for handling real-world scenarios, and the course material on detection, analysis, containment, and recovery directly applies to the daily tasks of an Incident Response Analyst. Learning from industry experts who contributed to the course further enhances preparedness and also helps build the knowledge necessary for a successful career as an Incident Response Analyst.

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Cybersecurity Analyst

A Cybersecurity Analyst monitors and protects an organization's digital assets. This course helps any cybersecurity professional build a strong foundation of knowledge. This course's exploration of incident response, digital forensics, and risk management is directly relevant. The course covers essential strategies for preparing, detecting, analyzing, containing, and recovering from security incidents. A Cybersecurity Analyst will find the study of NIST frameworks particularly relevant in understanding security policies and best practices.

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Information Security Manager

An Information Security Manager leads security initiatives and risk management. This course is very relevant for this role as it dives into incident response, risk management, and business continuity. The material on the NIST Risk Management Framework is essential for the planning and implementation of security strategies that are the responsibility of an Information Security Manager. The practical guidance on how to develop an incident response plan is directly applicable to managing a security team. It also addresses the importance of continuous improvement in response strategies.

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IT Risk Manager

An IT Risk Manager identifies, assesses, and mitigates risks related to information technology. The course’s focus on the NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF) is a direct line into the responsibilities of this role. This course helps provide an understanding of categorizing information systems and establishing risk management scopes. An IT Risk Manager would find the course's attention to the application of business continuity strategies directly relevant to the role's responsibilities. The techniques for ensuring recovery and resilience in the face of disruption will also prove very useful.

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Digital Forensics Analyst

A Digital Forensics Analyst investigates cybercrimes and security incidents, preserving digital evidence and maintaining the chain of custody. The course teaches these vital skills. The detailed study of digital forensics within the course includes the practice of evidence preservation and chain-of-custody management, which are key skills. A Digital Forensics Analyst would also benefit from the course's exploration of incident response plans, as these may serve as starting points for investigations.

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Security Consultant

A Security Consultant provides expert advice to organizations on security risks, and incident response. The comprehensive approach of this course helps build a foundation for such consultancy. The course includes coverage of incident response planning, digital forensics, and risk management, which are all services that a Security Consultant might provide. Further, the course's focus on NIST frameworks allows a Security Consultant to offer clients standards compliant advice. The course also covers business continuity, allowing a consultant to offer strategic recovery plans.

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Business Continuity Analyst

A Business Continuity Analyst develops and implements plans for organizations to respond to disruptions, including cyber incidents. This course's material on business continuity is highly relevant. The course addresses strategies for business continuity, backup and data recovery methods, and the use of virtualization and cloud technologies. A Business Continuity Analyst would find the course's instruction on developing a continuity of operations plan invaluable. Likewise, the discussion of strategies for seamless recovery is very relevant to this work.

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Security Auditor

A Security Auditor assesses security systems and controls to ensure they meet organizational standards and regulations. The material on incident response planning as well as the study of the NIST Risk Management Framework in this course may be very applicable for a Security Auditor. Understanding how to categorize information systems and establish risk scopes, as taught by this course, helps inform the scope of audit activities. A Security Auditor may also benefit from the course's coverage of how to test and train incident response capabilities, as this informs an auditor of industry best practices.

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Network Security Engineer

A Network Security Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining network security measures. This course's focus on incident response and risk management may be helpful, as these activities are related to the role. The course includes information about the NIST Risk Management Framework, which is often used to inform network security policies. Moreover, a Network Security Engineer may find the information on mitigation techniques to be relevant in order to strengthen network security against attacks. This course includes guidance from industry experts, which will help build knowledge of best practices.

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System Administrator

A System Administrator maintains and supports an organization's IT infrastructure. This course may be useful for those seeking to perform this role more effectively. The course's focus on incident response planning, particularly around preparation, detection, analysis, containment, and recovery, will help an administrator respond to incidents they may encounter. System Administrators can also use the course's focus on business continuity, backup and recovery, and the use of virtualization and cloud technologies in order to better protect systems from disaster.

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Compliance Analyst

A Compliance Analyst ensures an organization adheres to legal and regulatory requirements, including information security. This course may be useful for a Compliance Analyst due to its discussion of the NIST Risk Management Framework. Understanding how to categorize information systems and establish risk management scopes, as taught by this course, helps inform the creation of organizational security policy. Also, the course's business continuity strategies may help a Compliance Analyst implement regulations regarding business recovery.

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IT Project Manager

An IT Project Manager is responsible for planning and overseeing projects in the IT department. This course's instruction on incident response planning and risk management may be useful for this kind of role. The course helps build an understanding of security planning that is needed to ensure that major projects will be secure and robust. Moreover, the course's material on business continuity can be used to assist an IT Project Manager in planning contingencies. Finally, the course's discussion of NIST cybersecurity frameworks provides relevant information about how to manage projects in a secure manner.

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Database Administrator

A Database Administrator manages and maintains database systems, and ensuring their security is a key part of the job. This course may be useful for those who seek to perform this role more effectively. The course covers digital forensics, and this knowledge may be useful in investigating breaches. The course's focus on business continuity and backup and recovery may also be useful for a Database Administrator in maintaining the ongoing functionality of a database system.

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Technical Support Specialist

A Technical Support Specialist provides technical assistance to users of a system or service, and cybersecurity is sometimes among the issues they encounter. This course may be of use to Technical Support Specialists, as they may be called upon to help resolve a security incident. By studying incident response plans, detection, analysis, containment, and recovery, a Technical Support Specialist may improve their performance with regards to security threats. This course is a good starting point for those with an interest in this area.

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Help Desk Analyst

A Help Desk Analyst provides technical support to employees or customers. This course may be helpful for a Help Desk Analyst, as the material on incident response planning may help them better understand their role and responsibilities in the event of a security incident. In particular a Help Desk Analyst may find the discussions of detection, analysis, and containment to be relevant. The course also touches on security and risk management, which may be relevant to issues a Help Desk Analyst may encounter.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Incident Response and Risk Management.

Incident Response & Computer Forensics, 2nd Ed.

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Classic in the field of incident response and computer forensics. It provides in-depth coverage of incident handling methodologies, digital evidence collection, and forensic analysis techniques. It valuable resource for understanding the technical aspects of incident response and digital forensics. This book is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions and by industry professionals.

Incident Response and Computer Forensics, Second...

Paperback

$$$

The Practice of System and Network Administration

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Provides a comprehensive overview of system and network administration practices, including incident handling and disaster recovery. It offers practical guidance on building resilient systems and managing incidents effectively. While not solely focused on cybersecurity, it provides a strong foundation for understanding the operational aspects of incident response. This book is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions.

The Practice of System and Network Administration,...

Paperback

Practice of System and Network Administration, The:...

Kindle Edition

Incident Response and Risk Management

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What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Practical intro to ir and nist rmf

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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