Vashi, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
CSPv6.0 Course description
- Introduction to Hacking: Ethical hacking, also known as penetration testing or white-hat hacking, involves probing systems, networks, and applications to identify vulnerabilities with proper authorization. Its primary goal is to enhance security by addressing weaknesses before malicious actors exploit them. Ethical hacking is essential in modern cybersecurity strategies, helping organizations protect their infrastructure from ever-evolving threats.
- Networking Fundamentals
- Understanding networking fundamentals is vital for ethical hackers. Key topics include:
- Network Types: LAN, WAN, WLAN
- IP Addressing: IPv4, IPv6
- Protocols: TCP/IP, HTTP, DNS
- OSI Model: Seven layers of communication, from physical hardware to application data
- Network Devices: Routers, switches, firewalls, modems
- Data Transmission: Packet-based communication over wired and wireless mediums
- Mastering these basics ensures effective setup, security, and maintenance of communication systems, forming the backbone of cybersecurity.
- Linux OS Knowledge: Linux is the go-to operating system for ethical hackers due to its:
- Flexibility and Security: Less prone to malware and highly customizable
- Specialized Distributions: Kali Linux, Parrot OS, and other security-focused distros
- Powerful Tools: Built-in utilities and third-party tools for testing and research
- Community Support: A vast network of professionals sharing resources and guidance
- A strong foundation in Linux enhances an ethical hacker’s ability to identify and address system vulnerabilities efficiently.
- Network Security: Critical components of network security include:
- Firewall Types: Packet filter, stateless, stateful, application-layer, proxy, transparent
- Access Control Lists (ACLs): Standard and extended
- Tools: Fortigate firewall labs, intrusion prevention systems (IPS), intrusion detection systems (IDS)
- Understanding Security Operations Centers (SOCs)
- A SOC is a centralized hub for real-time cybersecurity monitoring and threat response. Key aspects include:
- Tools: SIEM, SOAR, EDR, MDR, Anti-APT, antivirus solutions
- Functions: Threat detection, incident response, log analysis, compliance adherence
- Operations: 24/7 monitoring to ensure resilience against emerging threats
- SOC teams play a crucial role in maintaining organizational cybersecurity, mitigating risks, and ensuring compliance.
- IT Risk Management: IT risk management ensures the protection of IT assets by:
- Processes: Risk identification, impact evaluation, prioritization, and treatment
- Frameworks: ISO 27001 for information and asset protection
- Methodologies: Risk scoring and continuous monitoring
- This process aligns cybersecurity efforts with business goals, ensuring resilience against data breaches, system failures, and compliance violations.
- Information Gathering Techniques: Ethical hackers use passive and active methods to collect data:
- Passive Techniques: WHOIS lookups, DNS queries, social media analysis
- Active Techniques: Port scanning, banner grabbing, vulnerability scanning
- Tools: Nmap, Shodan, Maltego
- These techniques enable security professionals to map systems, uncover vulnerabilities, and prepare for further testing.
- Target Enumeration and Port Scanning:
- Enumeration: Identifying IP addresses, hostnames, open ports, and services
- Port Scanning: Checking for open, closed, or filtered ports
- Tools: Nmap
- This phase is critical for assessing risks and identifying potential attack vectors.
- Vulnerability Assessment: This systematic approach identifies and prioritizes weaknesses.
- Asset Identification: Determine what needs protection
- Scanning Tools: Nessus, OpenVAS, Qualys
- Regular Assessments: Address new threats and vulnerabilities
- While assessments identify issues, they stop short of exploitation, distinguishing them from penetration testing.
- Network Sniffing: Network sniffing captures data packets to analyze traffic.
- Passive: Observing data without altering it
- Active: Injecting packets to manipulate traffic
- Tools: Wireshark, tcpdump, Ettercap
- Preventative measures like encryption (TLS/HTTPS), segmentation, and secure authentication mitigate malicious sniffing.
- Post-Exploitation: Windows Privilege Escalation: This phase aims to gain advanced control over compromised systems.
- Techniques: Misconfigured permissions, unpatched vulnerabilities, DLL hijacking
- Tools: Mimikatz
- Persistence: Modifying registry keys, creating admin accounts
- Mitigation includes patch management, least privilege enforcement, and behavior monitoring.
- Wireless Hacking
- Wireless hacking exploits vulnerabilities in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC.
- Methods: Sniffing, encryption cracking (WEP/WPA/WPA2), MITM attacks
- Tools: Aircrack-ng, Kismet, Wireshark
- Prevention: Strong encryption, robust passwords, updated protocols
- These techniques identify risks, enabling proactive defense of wireless networks.
- Email Security: Email is a primary target for phishing and spoofing attacks. Key components:
- DNS Records: DMARC, DKIM, SPF
- Threats: Spoofing, malware, phishing
- Prevention: Employee training, advanced filtering, and regular audits
- A multi-layered approach reduces risks and enhances email communication security.
- Advanced Web Security: Web Application Penetration Testing is critical for securing web applications:
- Vulnerabilities: SQL Injection, XSS, CSRF, SSRF, authentication flaws, path traversal
- Framework: OWASP Top 10
- Tools: Burp Suite, ZAP
- Testing protects sensitive data, prevents financial/reputational damage, and ensures compliance.
CYBERSECURITY JOB PROFILES
- Cybersecurity Analyst: Monitors and defends systems from security breaches and incidents. Required skills are Threat detection, vulnerability assessment, SIEM tools (e.g., Splunk). Required Certifications are CompTIA Security+, CEH, CISSP.
- Ethical Hacker (Penetration Tester): Identifies vulnerabilities in systems by simulating cyberattacks. Required Key Skills are Ethical hacking, penetration testing tools (e.g., Metasploit), coding. Required Certifications are CEH, OSCP.
- Security Engineer: Designs and implements secure systems to prevent attacks. Required Key Skills are Network security, firewalls, IDS/IPS, and scripting. Required Certifications are CISSP, CISM.
- Incident Responder: Responds to and mitigates the impact of cyberattacks or breaches. Required Key Skills are Forensics, malware analysis, and crisis management. Required Certifications are GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH).
- Forensic Analyst: Investigates cybercrimes by analyzing digital evidence. Required Key Skills are Digital forensics tools (e.g., EnCase, FTK), chain of custody management. Required Certifications are CHFI, GCFA.
- Security Architect: Designs the overall security infrastructure of an organization. Required Key Skills are Risk assessment, cloud security, enterprise architecture. Required Certifications are TOGAF, CISSP, AWS Security.
- Risk and Compliance Analyst: Ensures the organization complies with security standards and regulations. Required Key Skills are Governance, risk management frameworks (e.g., ISO 27001, NIST). Required Certifications are CRISC, CISM.
- Cybersecurity Consultant: Advises organizations on improving their security posture. Required Key Skills are Risk assessment, technical audits, communication. Required Certifications are CISSP, CCSP.
- SOC Analyst (Security Operations Center Analyst): Monitors and analyzes security events in real time. Required Key Skills are SIEM tools, threat hunting, and intrusion detection. Required Certifications are CompTIA CySA+, SSCP.
- Malware Analyst: Studies and reverses malware to understand its behavior. Key Skills are Reverse engineering, assembly language, and malware analysis tools. Required certifications GREM.
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO): Leads and manages an organization’s overall cybersecurity strategy. Required Key Skills are Leadership, strategic planning, regulatory compliance. Required Certifications are CISA, CISSP, CISM, MBA (optional).
- Cloud Security Specialist: Secures cloud-based systems and applications. Required Key Skills Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure), container security, identity management. Required Certifications are CCSP, AWS Certified Security – Specialty.
- Identity and Access Management (IAM) Specialist: Manages and ensures secure access to resources. Required Key Skills are Identity management tools (Okta, LDAP), multifactor authentication. Required certifications are CISSP, CIAM.
- Application Security Engineer: Secures software applications against vulnerabilities. Required Key Skills are OWASP guidelines, secure coding, DevSecOps. Required Certifications are CSSLP, CEH.
- Threat Intelligence Analyst: Gathers and analyzes data about potential cyber threats. Required Key Skills are OSINT, data analysis, and reporting. Required Certifications are Certified Threat Intelligence Analyst (CTIA).