Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does the acronym "CISO" stand for?
What does the acronym "CISO" stand for?
Chief Information Security Officer
Which of the following is NOT a typical function performed by a cybersecurity analyst?
Which of the following is NOT a typical function performed by a cybersecurity analyst?
- Auditing security processes and procedures
- Implementing and configuring security controls
- Managing IT infrastructure and hardware (correct)
- Conducted risk assessments
What are the two key features of a good cybersecurity analyst?
What are the two key features of a good cybersecurity analyst?
Creative thinkers and problem solvers
A SOC (Security Operations Center) typically exists for smaller companies.
A SOC (Security Operations Center) typically exists for smaller companies.
Which of these is NOT a key requirement for a successful SOC?
Which of these is NOT a key requirement for a successful SOC?
What is the purpose of a security control?
What is the purpose of a security control?
Which document defines the Security and Privacy Controls for Federal Information Systems and Organizations?
Which document defines the Security and Privacy Controls for Federal Information Systems and Organizations?
The NIST Special Publication 800-53 is a proprietary framework that requires payment to use.
The NIST Special Publication 800-53 is a proprietary framework that requires payment to use.
Which of these is NOT a classification of control families presented in older versions of NIST Special Publication 800-53?
Which of these is NOT a classification of control families presented in older versions of NIST Special Publication 800-53?
What is the difference between a 'technical control' and an 'operational control'?
What is the difference between a 'technical control' and an 'operational control'?
The three control families, Technical, Operational, and Managerial, are still included in the latest versions of NIST Special Publication 800-53.
The three control families, Technical, Operational, and Managerial, are still included in the latest versions of NIST Special Publication 800-53.
Which of the following would BEST be considered an example of a 'managerial control'?
Which of the following would BEST be considered an example of a 'managerial control'?
What is the purpose of 'defense in depth' in cybersecurity?
What is the purpose of 'defense in depth' in cybersecurity?
A security camera is considered a 'corrective control' because it records an intruder's actions.
A security camera is considered a 'corrective control' because it records an intruder's actions.
What is the main goal of a 'corrective control'?
What is the main goal of a 'corrective control'?
Explain the difference between a 'deterrent control' and a 'preventive control'?
Explain the difference between a 'deterrent control' and a 'preventive control'?
What is a 'compensating control' and why is it used?
What is a 'compensating control' and why is it used?
An IDS (Intrusion Detection System) is an example of a 'responsive control' because it monitors network traffic and can react to suspicious activity.
An IDS (Intrusion Detection System) is an example of a 'responsive control' because it monitors network traffic and can react to suspicious activity.
What is the primary goal of using CIA (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability) when selecting security controls?
What is the primary goal of using CIA (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability) when selecting security controls?
Which security control primarily upholds the tenet of 'integrity' for data?
Which security control primarily upholds the tenet of 'integrity' for data?
Using cloud elasticity is an effective control for ensuring the 'confidentiality' of data.
Using cloud elasticity is an effective control for ensuring the 'confidentiality' of data.
What are the two security controls that could be added to a database backup system to uphold all the tenets of CIA?
What are the two security controls that could be added to a database backup system to uphold all the tenets of CIA?
Which of these is NOT a key component of the security intelligence cycle?
Which of these is NOT a key component of the security intelligence cycle?
How can threat intelligence be used to improve incident response?
How can threat intelligence be used to improve incident response?
Threat intelligence is primarily used for strategic decision-making, focusing on long-term security measures.
Threat intelligence is primarily used for strategic decision-making, focusing on long-term security measures.
What is the main difference between security intelligence and cyber threat intelligence?
What is the main difference between security intelligence and cyber threat intelligence?
The use of SIEMs (Security Information and Event Management Systems) falls under the 'collection and processing' phase of the security intelligence cycle.
The use of SIEMs (Security Information and Event Management Systems) falls under the 'collection and processing' phase of the security intelligence cycle.
Why is it important to use automation and analysis tools like AI and machine learning in the 'analysis' phase of the intelligence cycle?
Why is it important to use automation and analysis tools like AI and machine learning in the 'analysis' phase of the intelligence cycle?
Which of the following is NOT a level of intelligence disseminated during the 'dissemination' phase of the security intelligence cycle?
Which of the following is NOT a level of intelligence disseminated during the 'dissemination' phase of the security intelligence cycle?
What is the primary purpose of the 'feedback' phase in the security intelligence cycle?
What is the primary purpose of the 'feedback' phase in the security intelligence cycle?
What is an ISAC (Information Sharing and Analysis Center)?
What is an ISAC (Information Sharing and Analysis Center)?
Which sector DOES NOT have a dedicated ISAC?
Which sector DOES NOT have a dedicated ISAC?
Organizations in the critical infrastructure sector are not typically concerned with threats against ICS (Industrial Control Systems) and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems.
Organizations in the critical infrastructure sector are not typically concerned with threats against ICS (Industrial Control Systems) and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems.
What is the main purpose of threat intelligence sharing within an organization?
What is the main purpose of threat intelligence sharing within an organization?
Threat intelligence is most effective when it is only shared internally within an organization.
Threat intelligence is most effective when it is only shared internally within an organization.
How can threat intelligence be used to enhance vulnerability management?
How can threat intelligence be used to enhance vulnerability management?
Threat intelligence primarily focuses on 'unknown threats,' as those pose the greatest risk.
Threat intelligence primarily focuses on 'unknown threats,' as those pose the greatest risk.
What is a 'zero-day exploit,' and why is it so problematic?
What is a 'zero-day exploit,' and why is it so problematic?
The use of obfuscation techniques allows attackers to transform 'unknown threats' into 'known threats,' making them more difficult to detect.
The use of obfuscation techniques allows attackers to transform 'unknown threats' into 'known threats,' making them more difficult to detect.
Explain the concept of 'recycled threats' in the context of malware.
Explain the concept of 'recycled threats' in the context of malware.
Which of the following is NOT a classification of malware threats based on the 'known/unknown' concept?
Which of the following is NOT a classification of malware threats based on the 'known/unknown' concept?
What are 'known unknowns' in the context of malware?
What are 'known unknowns' in the context of malware?
What is the role of a cybersecurity analyst in an organization?
What is the role of a cybersecurity analyst in an organization?
What is a Security Operations Center (SOC)?
What is a Security Operations Center (SOC)?
Smaller companies usually have their own SOCs to monitor their networks.
Smaller companies usually have their own SOCs to monitor their networks.
What is the primary function of a Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT)?
What is the primary function of a Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT)?
What is the role of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) in an organization?
What is the role of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) in an organization?
What are the three main categories of security controls discussed in the provided text?
What are the three main categories of security controls discussed in the provided text?
What is a technical control, also known as a logical control?
What is a technical control, also known as a logical control?
What is an operational control?
What is an operational control?
What is a managerial control?
What is a managerial control?
The three categories of technical, operational, and managerial controls are still included in the NIST Special Publication 800-53.
The three categories of technical, operational, and managerial controls are still included in the NIST Special Publication 800-53.
What is an administrative control?
What is an administrative control?
What is a preventative control?
What is a preventative control?
What is a detective control?
What is a detective control?
What is a physical control?
What is a physical control?
What is a compensating control?
What is a compensating control?
What is a responsive control?
What is a responsive control?
What are the two primary forms of cyber threat intelligence?
What are the two primary forms of cyber threat intelligence?
Organizations should rely on only one type of cyber threat intelligence – either narra ve reports or data feeds – for the best security.
Organizations should rely on only one type of cyber threat intelligence – either narra ve reports or data feeds – for the best security.
What is the purpose of the security intelligence cycle?
What is the purpose of the security intelligence cycle?
What is the purpose of the requirements phase of the security intelligence cycle?
What is the purpose of the requirements phase of the security intelligence cycle?
What is the purpose of the collection and processing phase of the security intelligence cycle?
What is the purpose of the collection and processing phase of the security intelligence cycle?
What is the purpose of the analysis phase of the security intelligence cycle?
What is the purpose of the analysis phase of the security intelligence cycle?
What is the purpose of the dissemination phase of the security intelligence cycle?
What is the purpose of the dissemination phase of the security intelligence cycle?
What is the purpose of the feedback and review phase of the security intelligence cycle?
What is the purpose of the feedback and review phase of the security intelligence cycle?
What is an Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC)?
What is an Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC)?
Which of the following is NOT a critical infrastructure sector as defined by the Department of Homeland Security?
Which of the following is NOT a critical infrastructure sector as defined by the Department of Homeland Security?
What is the difference between a known threat and an unknown threat?
What is the difference between a known threat and an unknown threat?
What is a zero-day exploit?
What is a zero-day exploit?
What is obfuscated malware code?
What is obfuscated malware code?
What is behavior-based detection?
What is behavior-based detection?
What is a recycled threat?
What is a recycled threat?
What is the difference between a known unknown and an unknown unknown?
What is the difference between a known unknown and an unknown unknown?
Flashcards
Cybersecurity Analyst
Cybersecurity Analyst
A senior role within an organization's security team, responsible for protecting sensitive information and preventing unauthorized access to electronic data and systems.
Security Specialist/Technician
Security Specialist/Technician
A cybersecurity professional responsible for configuring and implementing security controls, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and other threat management technologies.
Cybercrime Investigator
Cybercrime Investigator
A cybersecurity professional who investigates cybercrimes in the digital forensics realm.
IncidentResponse Analyst
IncidentResponse Analyst
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Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
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Penetration Tester
Penetration Tester
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Security Engineer
Security Engineer
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Security Operations Center (SOC)
Security Operations Center (SOC)
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Security Control
Security Control
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Technical Control
Technical Control
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Operational Control
Operational Control
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Managerial Control
Managerial Control
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Administrative Control
Administrative Control
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Preventive Control
Preventive Control
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Detective Control
Detective Control
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Corrective Control
Corrective Control
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Physical Control
Physical Control
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Deterrent Control
Deterrent Control
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Compensating Control
Compensating Control
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Responsive Control
Responsive Control
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Security Intelligence
Security Intelligence
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Cyber Threat Intelligence
Cyber Threat Intelligence
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Narrative Threat Intelligence Report
Narrative Threat Intelligence Report
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Data Feed
Data Feed
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Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
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Indicator of Compromise (IOC)
Indicator of Compromise (IOC)
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Zero-Day Exploit
Zero-Day Exploit
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Behavior-Based Detection
Behavior-Based Detection
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Recycled Threat
Recycled Threat
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Known Unknowns
Known Unknowns
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Unknown Unknowns
Unknown Unknowns
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Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC)
Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC)
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What is a Cybersecurity Analyst?
What is a Cybersecurity Analyst?
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What is a Security Specialist/Technician?
What is a Security Specialist/Technician?
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What is a Cybercrime Investigator?
What is a Cybercrime Investigator?
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What is an Incident Response Analyst?
What is an Incident Response Analyst?
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What is a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)?
What is a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)?
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What is a Penetration Tester?
What is a Penetration Tester?
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What is a Security Engineer?
What is a Security Engineer?
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What is a Security Operations Center (SOC)?
What is a Security Operations Center (SOC)?
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What is a security control?
What is a security control?
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What is a Technical Control?
What is a Technical Control?
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What is an Operational Control?
What is an Operational Control?
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What is a Managerial Control?
What is a Managerial Control?
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What is an Administrative Control?
What is an Administrative Control?
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What is a Preventive Control?
What is a Preventive Control?
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What is a Detective Control?
What is a Detective Control?
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What is a Corrective Control?
What is a Corrective Control?
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What is a Physical Control?
What is a Physical Control?
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What is a Deterrent Control?
What is a Deterrent Control?
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What is a Compensating Control?
What is a Compensating Control?
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What is a Responsive Control?
What is a Responsive Control?
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What is Security Intelligence?
What is Security Intelligence?
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What is Cyber Threat Intelligence?
What is Cyber Threat Intelligence?
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What is a Narrative Threat Intelligence Report?
What is a Narrative Threat Intelligence Report?
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What is a Data Feed?
What is a Data Feed?
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What is a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)?
What is a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)?
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What is an Indicator of Compromise (IOC)?
What is an Indicator of Compromise (IOC)?
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What is a Zero-Day Exploit?
What is a Zero-Day Exploit?
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What is Behavior-Based Detection?
What is Behavior-Based Detection?
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What is a Recycled Threat?
What is a Recycled Threat?
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What is a Known Unknown?
What is a Known Unknown?
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What is an Unknown Unknown?
What is an Unknown Unknown?
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Study Notes
Cybersecurity Roles and Responsibilities
- Cybersecurity Analyst: A senior role responsible for protecting sensitive information and preventing unauthorized access. They harden networks, servers, and devices. Junior analysts typically have 2-4 years experience as a specialist/technician first. Analysts work under senior analysts and report to the CISO. Their responsibilities include implementing and configuring security controls (firewalls, intrusion detection systems), working in a SOC or CSIRT, auditing security processes and procedures for third-party vendors, training employees, performing risk assessments, vulnerability assessments, penetration tests, and maintaining threat intelligence. Analyst work within a team, with 5-10 junior analysts and 1-2 senior analysts. They report to the CISO. Analysts need strong problem-solving and creative thinking skills, and excellent communication to explain issues and proposed solutions to non-technical audiences.
- Specialist/Technician: Performs hands-on system configurations under the direction of a cybersecurity analyst. Covered by the Security+ exam.
- Cybercrime Investigators: Work in digital forensic areas. Covered in the course.
- Incident Response Analysts: Respond to data breaches and cyberattacks. Covered in the course.
- Penetration Tester: Breaks into systems with permission to identify vulnerabilities. A role a cybersecurity analyst may fill.
- Manager/Engineer: Focuses on building security tools and techniques to design systems for the organization. Analysts operate the daily systems.
- CISO (Chief Information Security Officer): Senior C-level position, providing governance and leadership. Oversees the analyst team and other security personnel.
Security Operations Center (SOC)
- A SOC is a central security monitoring point for critical information assets. It's a single point of contact for all incoming security data; junior analysts monitor logs/network information for Indicators of Compromise (IOCs).
- Indicators of Compromise (IOCs): Like fingerprints of malicious activity. Junior analysts look for them.
- Senior analysts oversee junior analysts and guide incident response.
- SOCs are often used by larger organizations, governments, and healthcare due to high costs.
- Smaller companies may outsource SOC services.
- Key requirements for a successful SOC: authority, motivated and skilled professionals, integrated security processes, incident response capabilities, internal protection (of the SOC), separating signal from noise (analyzing data through the use of automation), and collaboration with other SOCs for threat intelligence sharing.
Security Control Categories
- Security controls are technologies or procedures mitigating vulnerabilities and risks, ensuring confidentiality, integrity, availability, non-repudiation, and authentication (CIA Triad).
- Historical approach was reactive – implementing controls after threats emerged. Not a sustainable model.
- Security controls are now selected strategically using a risk management framework for a layered defense approach (defense in depth).
- NIST Special Publication 800-53: A US government publication on security and privacy controls for IS. A crucial resource. Memorization is not required, but review is recommended.
- Control categories (technical, operational, managerial): While less relevant today, the technical, operational, and managerial classification remains useful concepts for categorizing controls. These were removed from newer NIST publications but remain on the CySA+ exam.
- Hybrid controls, like vulnerability management, often blend categories (operational and managerial).
- Functional categories of controls: preventative, detective, corrective
- Additional categories: physical, deterrent, compensating, and responsive controls.
Threat Intelligence
- Security intelligence focuses on internal network security posture.
- Cyber threat intelligence focuses on external threats (attacker groups, malware, vulnerabilities).
- Threat intelligence comes in narrative reports (analysis) and data feeds (provides tactical information to make decisions).
- Organizations subscribe to intelligence feeds from companies like FireEye, McAfee, etc. to defend against emerging threats.
Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISACs)
- ISACs (and the UK's CSIP): Sector-specific, not-for-profit information sharing groups.
- Focus on sharing threat intelligence and security best practices within a particular industry.
- Multiple ISAC types exist (critical infrastructure, government, healthcare, financial, aviation).
- Critical Infrastructure: Vital physical or virtual systems critical to a country’s economy and safety. Examples include 16 critical sectors identified by the Department of Homeland Security (chemical, commercial facilities, communications, critical manufacturing, dams, defense industrial base, emergency services, energy, financial services, food and agriculture, government facilities, healthcare and public health, information technology, nuclear reactors, materials and waste, transportation systems, and water and wastewater systems).
Threat Classification
- Known threats: Easily identified using signature matching (e.g., malware, documented exploits).
- Unknown threats: Cannot be identified by signature matching. Examples include: zero-day exploits, obfuscated malware, behavior-based attacks, recycled threats, known-unknowns, unknown-unknowns.
Security Intelligence Cycle
- Five phases: Requirements/Planning, Collection/Processing, Analysis, Dissemination, Feedback
- Requirements/Planning: Defining goals and constraints (legal restrictions, organizational factors).
- Collection/Processing: Standardizing data into usable formats.
- Analysis: Using automated analysis, AI, and machine learning to filter data (categorizing data as known good, known bad, unsure).
- Dissemination: Communicating analyzed information to stakeholders (strategic, operational, tactical).
- Feedback: Evaluating process effectiveness to identify improvements.
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Description
Explore various roles in the cybersecurity field, including the responsibilities of analysts, specialists, and chief information security officers. This quiz will help you understand the critical functions within an organization that protect sensitive information and respond to cyber incidents.