SEC504 exam prep for GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)

The goal of modern cloud and on-premises systems is to prevent compromise, but the reality is that detection and response are critical. Keeping your organization out of the breach headlines depends on how well incidents are handled to minimize loss to the company.

In SEC504, you will learn how to apply a dynamic approach to incident response. Using indicators of compromise, you will practice the steps to effectively respond to breaches affecting Windows, Linux, and cloud platforms. You will be able to take the skills and hands-on experience gained in the course back to the office and apply them immediately.

A big focus in SEC504 is applying what you learn with hands-on exercises: 50% of the course is hands-on where you will attack, defend, and assess the damage done by threat actors. You will work with complex network environments, real-world host platforms and applications, and complex data sets that mirror the kind of work you may be asked to do. You never lose access to the lab exercises, and they can be repeated as often as you like. All lab exercises come with detailed walkthrough video content to help reinforce the learning concepts in the course.

Understanding the steps to effectively conduct incident response is only one part of the equation. To fully grasp the actions attackers take against an organization, from initial compromise to internal network pivoting, you also need to understand their tools and techniques. In the hands-on environment provided by SEC504, you will use the tools of the attackers themselves in order to understand how they are applied and the artifacts the attackers leave behind. By getting into the mindset of attackers, you will learn how they apply their trade against your organization, and you will be able to use that insight to anticipate their moves and build better defenses.

In SEC504, you will learn:

• How to apply a dynamic approach to incident response

• How to identify threats using host, network, and log analysis

• Best practices for effective cloud incident response

• How to leverage PowerShell for data collection and cyber threat analysis

• Cyber investigation processes using live analysis, network insight, and memory forensics

• Defense spotlight strategies to protect critical assets

• How attackers leverage cloud systems against organizations

• Attacker techniques to evade endpoint detection tools

• How attackers exploit complex cloud vulnerabilities

• Attacker steps for internal discovery and lateral movement after an initial compromise

• How attackers exploit publicly-accessible systems including Microsoft 36

GIAC Certified Incident Handler

The GIAC Incident Handler certification validates a practitioner's ability to detect, respond, and resolve computer security incidents using a wide range of essential security skills. GCIH certification holders have the knowledge needed to manage security incidents by understanding common attack techniques, vectors and tools, as well as defend against and respond to such attacks when they occur.

• Incident Handling and Computer Crime Investigation

• Computer and Network Hacker Exploits

• Hacker Tools (Nmap, Metasploit and Netcat)