SEC511: Continuous Monitoring and Security Operations

Overview

The prevention-dominant security model has failed. Given the frequency and extent of significant intrusions, this should not come as a surprise. To address the root of the problem, we must understand the current architecture and the design gaps that facilitate the adversary's dominance. What do we need to address to begin to make things better? Can we ever hope to win? What would winning look like? These are important questions that we must answer if we hope to substantially improve our security posture.

We begin with the end in mind and define the key techniques and principles that will allow us to achieve that state. An effective modern Security Operations Center or Security Architecture must enable an organization's ability to rapidly find intrusions to facilitate containment and response. Both significant knowledge and a commitment to continuous monitoring are required to achieve this goal.

Exercises

• Detecting Traditional Attack Techniques with Security Onion and CyberChef
• Detecting Modern Attack Techniques with Security Onion
• Egress Analysis with Elastic Stack
• NetWars (Day 1): Immersive Cyber Challenges

Topics

• Day 1: Current State Assessment, Security Operations Centers, and Security Architecture
• Traditional Security Architecture
• Perimeter-focused
• Addressed Layer 3/4
• Centralized Information Systems
• Prevention-Oriented
• Device-driven
• Traditional Attack Techniques
• Introducing Security Onion 2.X
• Alerts Menu
• Pivoting to the Hunt Menu
• The PCAP Menu
• Modern Security Architecture Principles
• Detection-oriented
• Post-Exploitation-focused
• Decentralized Information Systems/Data
• Risk-informed
• Layer 7 Aware
• Security Operations Centers
• Network Security Monitoring
• Continuous Security Monitoring
• Modern Attack Techniques
• Adversarial Dominance
• MITRE ATTACK^(R)
• Security Architecture - Key Techniques/Practices
• Threat Vector Analysis
• Data Exfiltration Analysis
• Detection Dominant Design
• Intrusion Kill Chain
• Visibility Analysis
• Lateral Movement Analysis
• Data Ingress/Egress Mapping
• Internal Segmentation
• Network Security Monitoring
• Continuous Security Monitoring
• Cloud Deployment Models
• Cloud Shared Responsibilities
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
• Overexposed Cloud Services: Leaky Buckets
• Cloud Network Visibility
• MITRE ATT&CK^(R) & AWS Security Stack
• AWS Security Hub
• AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM)
• AWS CloudTrail
• Amazon CloudWatch
• AWS Firewall Manager
• AWS WAF + AWS Shield
• Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)
• Amazon GuardDuty
• Amazon Inspector
• Amazon Macie

Overview

Understanding the problems with the current environment and realizing where we need to get to is far from sufficient: we need a detailed roadmap to bridge the gap between the current and desired state. Day two introduces zero trust architecture (ZTA) and details the components of our infrastructure that become part of a defensible network security architecture and SOC. We are long past the days where a perimeter firewall and ubiquitous antivirus was sufficient security. There are many pieces and moving parts that comprise a modern defensible security architecture.

In addition to discussing technologies like Next-Generation Firewalls, Web Application Firewalls, Malware Detonation Devices, SIEMs, DLP, and Honeypots that may not be found in all organizations, we will focus on repurposing traditional devices such as layer 3/4 firewalls, routers, switches, and NIDS. The goal of this course is not to give you a long list of items to add to the next year's budget, so we will focus on maximizing the capabilities of your current information security architecture, while pointing out new technologies that may offer a compelling return on investment.

Exercises

• ModSecurity
• Decrypting TLS with Wireshark
• Detecting Adversaries with Protocol Inspection
• HoneyTokens for Leak Detection
• NetWars (Day 2): Immersive Cyber Challenges

Topics

Day 2: SOCs and Defensible Network Security Architecture

• SOCs/Security Architecture - Key Infrastructure Devices
• Traditional and Next- Generation Firewalls, and NIPS
• Web Application Firewall
• Malware Detonation Devices
• HTTP Proxies, Web Content Filtering, and SSL/TLS Decryption
• SIEMs, NIDS, Packet Captures, and DLP
• Honeypots/Honeynets
• Network Infrastructure - Routers, Switches, DHCP, DNS
• Threat Intelligence
• Segmented Internal Networks
• Routers
• Internal SI Firewalls
• VLANs
• Detecting the Pivot
• DNS architecture
• Encrypted DNS including DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT)
• Defensible Network Security Architecture Principles Applied
• Internal Segmentation
• Threat Vector Analysis
• Data Exfiltration Analysis
• Detection Dominant Design
• Zero Trust Architecture (Kindervag)
• Intrusion Kill Chain
• Visibility Analysis
• Data Visualization
• Lateral Movement Analysis
• Data Ingress/Egress Mapping

Overview

Designing a SOC or security architecture that enhances visibility and detective capabilities represents a paradigm shift for most organizations. However, the design is simply the beginning. The most important element of a modern security architecture is the emphasis on detection. The network security architecture presented in days one and two emphasized baking visibility and detective capabilities into the design. Now we must figure out how to look at the data and continuously monitor the enterprise for evidence of compromise or changes that increase the likelihood of compromise.

We must first understand the approach and goals of monitoring and define a methodology for analysis. Key terms such as Network Security Monitoring (NSM), Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM), and Continuous Security Monitoring (CSM) can cause confusion, and we will make sure these terms are understood, enabling the security professional to guide an organization in using the best practices. Speaking of best practices, we will emphasize the continuous monitoring of the Critical Security Controls.

Enabling continuous monitoring will be studied by developing a model for employing robust NSM. This will allow an organization to deal with and make sense of data to rapidly enable the detection of potential intrusions or unauthorized actions.

Exercises

• Pcap Carving with Zeek
• Security Onion Service-Side Attack Analysis
• Wireshark Merlin Analysis
• Detecting TLS Certificate and User-Agent Anomalies
• NetWars (Day 3): Immersive Cyber Challenges Labs

Topics

Day 3: Network Security Monitoring

Network Security Monitoring (NSM)

• Evolution of NSM
• The NSM Toolbox
• NIDS Design
• Analysis Methodology
• Understanding Data Sources
• Full Packet Capture
• Extracted Data
• String Data
• Flow Data
• Transaction Data
• Statistical Data
• Alert Data
• Tagged Data
• Correlated Data
• Cloud NSM
• Practical NSM Issues
• Cornerstone NSM
• Service-Side and Client-Side Exploits
• Identifying High-Entropy Strings
• Tracking EXE Transfers
• Identifying Command and Control (C2) Traffic
• Tracking User Agents
• C2 via HTTPS
• Tracking Encryption Certificates
• Detecting Malware via JA3
• Detecting Cobalt Strike
• Criminal Usage of Cobalt Strike
• Malleable C2
• Cobalt Strikes x.509 Certificates

Overview

One of the hallmarks of modern attacks is an emphasis on client-side exploitation. The days of breaking into networks via direct frontal assaults on unpatched mail, web, or DNS servers are largely behind us. We must focus on mitigating the risk of compromise of clients. Day four details ways in which endpoint systems can be both more resilient to attack and also enhance detective capabilities.

Exercises

• Sysmon
• Autoruns
• Application Control with AppLocker
• Merlin Sysmon Analysis
• NetWars Day 4: Immersive Cyber Challenges

Topics

Day 4: SOCs and Defensible Endpoint Security Architecture

• Endpoint Security Architecture

• Endpoint Protection Platforms
• Endpoint Detection Response
• Authentication Protection/Detection
• Configuration Management/Monitoring

• Endpoint Protection

• TPM: Device Health Attestation
• Host-based Firewall, Host-based IDS/IPS
• Application Control, Application Virtualization
• Virtualization Based Security
• Microsoft Defender: Application Guard
• Windows Defender: Credential Guard
• Defender for Endpoint: Attack Surface Reduction
• EMET and Defender Exploit Guard

• Cloud Configuration Management

• Endpoint Detection - Sysmon

• FileDelete, ProcessTampering, and other recent additions
• IMPHASH
• DeepBlueHash

• Authentication Protection and Detection

• Privileged Account Monitoring
• Windows Hello
• Dynamic Lock
• PIN-Only Authentication
• Passwordless
• Azure Active Directory + MFA
• Azure Authentication Methods
• AAD Conditional Access
• Hash/Ticket/Token Attacks

• Configuration Management/Monitoring

• Cloud: Center for Internet Security (CIS) Hardened Images
• Containers: CIS Hardened Images for Containers
• Baseline Monitoring
• Desired State Configuration (DSC)
• Azure Automation State Configuration

Overview

Network Security Monitoring (NSM) is the beginning: we need to not only detect active intrusions and unauthorized actions, but also know when our systems, networks, and applications are at an increased likelihood for compromise. A strong way to achieve this is through Continuous Security Monitoring (CSM) or Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM). Rather than waiting for the results of a quarterly scan or an annual penetration test to determine what needs to be addressed, continuous monitoring proactively and repeatedly assesses and reassesses the current security posture for potential weaknesses that need be addressed.

The volume of data that must be continuously sought and mined is vast: the goal of continuous monitoring would be out of reach without scripting and automation. Naturally, there are vendors and tools to scratch this itch, but they will be incomplete and require their own care, feeding, and monitoring. Day five describes how to perform continuous monitoring with simple tools and scripts. Knowing how to script and automate is pointless unless you know what data should be captured and analyzed on a continuous basis. Again, leaning on the Critical Security Controls, we will determine high-value targets for continuous monitoring in an enterprise.

Exercises

• Inventory
• Windows Event Logs
• DNS over HTTPS (DoH)
• Kansa Persistence and Pivoting
• NetWars (Day 5): Immersive Cyber Challenges

Topics

Day 5: Automation and Continuous Security Monitoring

• Overview
• Continuous Security Monitoring (CSM) vs. Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) vs. Information Security Continuous Monitoring (ISCM)
• Cyberscope and SCAP
• Industry Best Practices
• Continuous Monitoring and the 20 CIS Critical Security Controls
• Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) Strategies to Mitigate Targeted Cyber Intrusions
• Winning CSM Techniques
• Long Tail Analysis
• Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) Strategies to Mitigate Cyber Security Incidents
• The ASD Essential Eight
• Maintaining Situational Awareness
• Host, Port, and Service Discovery
• Vulnerability Scanning
• Monitoring Patching
• Monitoring Applications
• Monitoring Service Logs
• Detecting Malware via DNS logs
• Detecting DNS Tunneling via Iodine and dnscat2
• Domain_stats and Registration Data Access Protocol (RDAP)
• Monitoring Change to Devices and Appliances
• Leveraging Proxy and Firewall Data
• Configuring Centralized Windows Event Log Collection
• Monitoring Critical Windows Events
• Hands-on: Detecting Malware via Windows Event Logs
• Scripting and Automation
• Importance of Automation
• PowerShell
• DeepBlueCLI
• Security Operations Center (SOC)
• Purpose of a SOC
• Key SOC roles
• Relationship to Defensible Security Architecture

Overview

The course culminates in a team-based design, detect, and defend the flag competition. Powered by NetWars, day six provides a full day of hands-on work applying the principles taught throughout the week.

Your team will progress through multiple levels and missions designed to ensure mastery of the modern cyber defense techniques promoted all week long. From security architecture, network security monitoring, endpoint security, and continuous monitoring, this challenging exercise will reinforce key principles in a fun, hands-on, team-based challenge.

Topics

Day 6: Capstone - Design/Detect/Defend

• Security Architecture
• Continuous Security Monitoring
• Applied NSM and CSM
• Analyzing Malicious Traffic with Security Onion, Wireshark, and CyberChef
• Analzying Malicious Windows Event Logs
• Packet Analysis
• Log Analysis
• C2 Detection