SEC401: Security Essentials Bootcamp Style
Very well rounded. Great that he(the instructor)was able to bring real world examples to class. Made the class flow smoothly.
Robin Mahon, Kapstone PaperSEC401 took what I thought I knew and truly explained everything to me. Now, I also UNDERSTAND the security essentials fundamentals and how/why we apply them. Loved the training, cannot wait to come back for more.
Nicholas Blanton, ManTech International
Learn the most effective steps to prevent attacks and detect adversaries with actionable techniques that you can directly apply when you get back to work. Learn tips and tricks from the experts so that you can win the battle against the wide range of cyber adversaries that want to harm your environment.
Is SEC401: Security Essentials Bootcamp Style the right course for you?
STOP and ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you fully understand why some organizations get compromised and others do not?
- If there were compromised systems on your network, are you confident that you would be able to find them?
- Do you know the effectiveness of each security device and are you certain that they are all configured correctly?
- Are proper security metrics set up and communicated to your executives to drive security decisions?
If you do not know the answers to these questions, SEC401 course will provide the information security training you need in a bootcamp-style format that is reinforced with hands-on labs.
You Will Learn:
- To develop effective security metrics that provide a focused playbook that IT can implement, auditors can validate, and executives can understand
- To analyze and assess the risk to your environment in order to drive the creation of a security roadmap that focuses on the right areas of security
- Practical tips and tricks to focus in on high-priority security problems within your organization and on doing the right things that will lead to security solutions that work
- Why some organizations are winning and some are losing when it comes to security and, most importantly, how to be on the winning side
- The core areas of security and how to create a security program that is anchored on PREVENT-DETECT-RESPOND.
Learn to build a security roadmap that can scale today and into the future.
SEC401: Security Essentials Bootcamp Style is focused on teaching you the essential information security skills and techniques you need to protect and secure your organization's critical information assets and business systems. Our course will show you how to prevent your organization's security problems from being headline news in the Wall Street Journal!
"Prevention is Ideal but Detection is a Must."
With the rise in advanced persistent threats, it is almost inevitable that organizations will be targeted. Whether the attacker is successful in penetrating an organization's network depends on the effectiveness of the organization's defense. Defending against attacks is an ongoing challenge, with new threats emerging all of the time, including the next generation of threats. Organizations need to understand what really works in cybersecurity. What has worked, and will always work, is taking a risk-based approach to cyber defense. Before your organization spends a dollar of its IT budget or allocates any resources or time to anything in the name of cybersecurity, three questions must be answered:
- What is the risk?
- Is it the highest priority risk?
- What is the most cost-effective way to reduce the risk?
Security is all about making sure you focus on the right areas of defense. In SEC401 you will learn the language and underlying theory of computer and information security. You will gain the essential and effective security knowledge you will need if you are given the responsibility for securing systems and/or organizations. This course meets both of the key promises SANS makes to our students: (1) You will learn up-to-the-minute skills you can put into practice immediately upon returning to work; and (2) You will be taught by the best security instructors in the industry.
Assessment Available
Test your security knowledge with our free SANS Security Essentials Assessment Test.
Notice:
This course prepares you for the GSEC certification that meets the requirement of the DoD 8570 IAT Level 2.
Course Content Overlap Notice:
Please note that some course material for SEC401 and MGT512 may overlap. We recommend SEC401 for those interested in a more technical course of study, and MGT512 for those primarily interested in a leadership-oriented but less technical learning experience.
| Course Contents | Instructors | Schedule |
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| SEC401.1: Networking Concepts | Ted Demopoulos |
Mon Feb 23rd, 2015 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
OverviewA key way that attackers gain access to a company's resources is through a network connected to the Internet. A company wants to try to prevent as many attacks as possible, but in cases where it cannot prevent an attack, it must detect it in a timely manner. Therefore, an understanding of how networks and the related protocols like TCP/IP work is critical to being able to analyze network traffic and determine what is hostile. It is just as important to know how to protect against these attacks using devices such as routers and firewalls. These essentials, and more, will be covered during this course day in order to provide a firm foundation for the consecutive days of training. CPE/CMU Credits: 8 TopicsSetting Up a Lab with Virtual Machines
Network Fundamentals
IP Concepts
IP Behavior
Virtual Machines
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| SEC401.2: Defense In-Depth | Ted Demopoulos |
Tue Feb 24th, 2015 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
OverviewTo secure an enterprise network, you must have an understanding of the general principles of network security. In this course, you will learn about six key areas of network security. The day starts with information assurance foundations. Students look at both current and historical computer security threats, and how they have impacted confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The first half of the day also covers creating sound security policies and password management, including tools for password strength on both Unix and Windows platforms. The second half of the day is spent on understanding the information warfare threat and the six steps of incident handling. The day draws to a close by looking at attack strategies and how the offense operates. CPE/CMU Credits: 8 TopicsInformation Assurance Foundations
Computer Security Policies
Contingency and Continuity Planning
Access Control
Password Management
Incident Response (IR)
Offensive and Defensive Information Warfare (IW)
Attack Strategies and Methods
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| SEC401.3: Internet Security Technologies | Ted Demopoulos |
Wed Feb 25th, 2015 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
OverviewMilitary agencies, banks, and retailers offering electronic commerce programs, as well as dozens of other types of organizations, are striving to understand the threats they are facing and what they can do to address those threats. On day 3, you will be provided with a roadmap to help you understand the paths available to organizations that are considering deploying or planning to deploy various security devices and tools such as intrusion detection systems and firewalls. When it comes to securing your enterprise, there is no single technology that is going to solve all your security issues. However, by implementing an in-depth defense strategy that includes multiple risk-reducing measures, you can go a long way toward securing your enterprise. CPE/CMU Credits: 8 TopicsVulnerability Scanning and Remediation
Web Security
Firewalls and Perimeters
Honeypots
Host-based Protection
Network-based Intrusion Detection and Prevention
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| SEC401.4: Secure Communications | Ted Demopoulos |
Thu Feb 26th, 2015 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
OverviewThere is no silver bullet when it comes to security. However, there is one technology that would help solve a lot of security issues, though few companies deploy it correctly. This technology is cryptography. Concealing the meaning of a message can prevent unauthorized parties from reading sensitive information. Day 4 looks at various aspects of encryption and how it can be used to secure a company's assets. A related area called steganography, or information hiding, is also covered. The day finishes by looking at using the Critical Security Controls for metrics based dashboards and performing risk assessment across an organization. CPE/CMU Credits: 8 TopicsCryptography
Steganography
Critical Security Controls
Risk Assessment and Auditing
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| SEC401.5: Windows Security | Ted Demopoulos |
Fri Feb 27th, 2015 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
OverviewWindows is the most widely-used and hacked operating system on the planet. At the same time, the complexities of Active Directory, PKI, BitLocker, AppLocker, and User Account Control represent both challenges and opportunities. This section will help you quickly master the world of Windows security while showing you the tools that can simplify and automate your work. You will complete the day with a solid grounding in Windows security, by looking at automation, auditing and forensics. CPE/CMU Credits: 8 TopicsSecurity Infrastructure
Service Packs, Patches, and Backups
Permissions and User Rights
Security Policies and Templates
Securing Network Services
Auditing and Automation
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| SEC401.6: Unix/Linux Security | Ted Demopoulos |
Sat Feb 28th, 2015 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
OverviewWhile organizations do not have as many Unix/Linux systems, those that they do have are often some of the most critical systems that need to be protected. Day 6 provides step-by-step guidance to improve the security of any Linux system. The course combines practical "how to" instructions with background information for Linux beginners, as well as security advice and best practices for administrators of all levels of expertise. CPE/CMU Credits: 6 TopicsLinux Landscape
Permissions and User Accounts
Linux OS Security
Maintenance, Monitoring, and Auditing Linux
Linux Security Tools
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| Additional Information | ||
| Testimonial | ||
To give you an idea of the effectiveness of the course, here is what a few former students have said about it: "SEC401 provides an excellent overview of security fundamentals delivered by experienced industry professionals." - Jathan Watso, Department of Finance "Excellent material for security professionals wanting a deeper level of knowledge on how to implement security policies, procedures, and defensive mechanisms in an org." - Brandon Smit, Dynetics "SEC401 took what I thought I knew and truly explained everything to me. Now, I also UNDERSTAND the security essentials fundamentals and how/why we apply them. Loved the training, cannot wait to come back for more." - Nicholas Blanton, ManTech International |
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| Laptop Required | ||
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Security 401: Security Essentials Bootcamp Style consists of course instructions and hands-on sessions. To reinforce the skills covered in class and gain experience with the tools needed to implement effective security, there are hands-on labs every day. These lab sessions are designed to enable students to use the knowledge gained throughout the course in an instructor-led environment. Students will have the opportunity to install, configure, and utilize the tools and techniques that they have learned. Students will require a system running Windows 8.x and Kali Linux with the following requirements:
Students are required to bring their own laptops that are properly configured. There is not enough time in class to help you install your laptop, so please note that your laptop must be properly installed and configured before you come to class. Students are also required to test their systems prior to coming to class. Do not bring a regular production laptop to this class! When installing software, there is always a chance of breaking something else on the system. Students should assume that all data could be lost. Students must bring a laptop with Windows 8.x installed. The recommended configuration is Windows 8 as the host operating system running Kali Linux as a virtual machine with VMWare Player. Students can use a Mac or Linux system with a different virtual machine product running both Windows and Kali Linux on virtual machines, but the specific details for setting it up are left to the student. Students MUST also download/install VMWare Player and Kali Linux prior to coming to class. In summary, before you arrive for the course you should:
NOTE: The labs are written for Windows 8; however all of the tools will run in Windows 7 and the screen shots for running the tools are the same. The only difference is since there is no start menu in Windows 8 the method for accessing a DVD and initially running a program are different. If you know how to open a DVD and run a program in Windows 7, you will be able to use Windows 7 for the labs. By properly preparing, you will have a knowledge-rich and enjoyable lab experience. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. Sincerely, Dr. Eric Cole Track Lead/Course Author E-mail: eric@sans.org If you have additional questions about the laptop specifications, please contact laptop_prep@sans.org. |
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| Who Should Attend | ||
Anyone who works in security, is interested in security, or has to understand security should take this course, including:
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| Prerequisites | ||
SEC401 Security Essentials Bootcamp Style covers all of the core areas of security and assumes a basic understanding of technology, networks, and security. For those who are brand new to the field with no background knowledge, SEC301: Intro to Information Security would be the recommended starting point. While SEC301 is not a prerequisite, it will provide the introductory knowledge that will help maximize the experience with SEC401. |
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| Other Courses People Have Taken | ||
Other Courses People Have TakenFor those who are more advanced, SEC501: Enterprise Defender might be the more appropriate course to take. |
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| What You Will Receive | ||
In this course you will receive the following materials:
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| You Will Be Able To | ||
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| Hands-on Training | ||
SEC401 is an interactive hands-on training course. The following are some of the lab activities that students will carry out:
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