A Complete Career Guide for Computer Forensics: Steps to Success

If you’re looking to join an in-demand career field, a position in digital forensics might be just what you’re looking for. Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that, by 2025, global cybercrime damages will exceed $10.5 trillion annually (Morgan, 2020).

There’s already high demand for cybersecurity professionals, and this need is only expected to grow. Read on to learn more about increasing concerns over cybersecurity, how digital forensics professionals are working to combat cybercrime, and how to get started in the computer forensics industry.

The Cyber Forensics Industry Continues to Grow

As cybercriminals and malicious hackers continue to attack data systems in their searches for sensitive information, the need for computer forensics professionals will continue to rise. While the need for computer forensics professionals is evident, understanding what digital forensics is all about may not be as straightforward. Below, we’ll cover the ins and outs of digital forensics and explain the role of cyber forensics experts.

What Is the Role of a Cyber Forensic Investigator?

So what is digital forensics all about? Digital forensics, also referred to as computer forensics or cyber forensics, is the process of gathering evidence in the form of digital data during cybercrime cases. The primary role of computer forensics professionals is to track, locate, and extract various data needed during criminal investigations.

What Skills Do Cyber Forensics Experts Need?

Digital forensics experts are typically expected to have the following skills: 

◉ Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities

◉ Capability to think analytically and critically

◉ Understanding of ethical and legal issues related to data and data acquisition

◉ Knowledge of how to use file recovery programs and encryption-decoding software to search hard drives for deleted files

◉ Ability to gather information from network servers, databases, smartphones, tablets, and other digital devices

◉ Openness to continuously learning new things to keep up with changing technologies

What Are the Career Choices in Digital Forensics?

Digital forensics is a career field with a high expected job growth rate. The market for forensic science technicians is expected to grow by 16.9% between 2016 and 2026, with digital computer forensics accounting for much of this increase (Sokanu, 2016).  There are numerous job positions and specializations to choose from within the digital forensics industry, including: 

◉ Information security analyst

◉ Computer systems analyst

◉ Malware analyst 

◉ Information technology auditor 

◉ Computer forensic analyst 

◉ Security consultant

How to Become a Digital Forensic Investigator

There are several ways to enter the exciting field of digital forensics and become a cyber forensics expert. One great option is to obtain a leading digital forensics certification like EC-Council’s Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (C|HFI). The C|HFI is designed by industry experts to train upcoming cyber forensics professionals in today’s most job-relevant skills, including:

◉ Complex investigation practices

◉ Investigation and preservation of digital and non-digital evidence of a cyberattack

◉ How to utilize threat intelligence to anticipate and alert security teams to imminent cyberattacks

◉ Specialized forensics proficiency in emerging areas like the Internet of Things (IoT), dark web, the cloud (including Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services Cloud), networks, mobile devices, and more

Source: eccouncil.org

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What Is Incident Management and What Are Its Advantages?

What Is Incident Management and What Are Its Advantages?

Business owners are always looking for ways to keep their company safe from unforeseen security incidents, which can cause significant losses. One way to do this is by implementing an incident management process.

What is incident management, and why do organizations need it? This article will explore the roles and responsibilities of an incident management team and the tools they can use to respond swiftly and effectively to security incidents.

What Is Incident Management?

Incident management is the process used by cybersecurity, DevOps, and IT professionals to identify and respond to incidents in their organization. Cybersecurity incidents can be anything from a server outage to a data breach to something as simple as an employee misconfiguring a firewall.

Cybersecurity incident management aims to minimize the impact of these incidents on business operations and prevent them from happening again. To do this, incident managers must first identify the cause of the incident and take steps to fix it. They also need to ensure that the proper procedures are in place to prevent incidents from recurring (Bisson, 2021).

What Are the Benefits of an Incident Management Plan?

There are many benefits to implementing an effective incident management process.

◉ Reduced downtime. By quickly identifying and resolving incidents, businesses can minimize the downtime their employees experience. This is especially important for companies that rely on technology to do their work.

◉ Improved customer service. If an incident affects customers, companies must resolve the issue as soon as possible. Incident management can help businesses do this properly and efficiently.

◉ Prevention of future incidents. By identifying the root cause of incidents and fixing them, companies can prevent the same types of incidents from happening again.

◉ Improved communication. One of the critical purposes of incident management is to enhance communication between different departments and teams within an organization. Good communication prevents duplication of efforts and ensures that everyone is on the same page when responding to incidents.

What Are the Roles and Responsibilities of an Incident Management Team?

An effective incident management team has several key roles and responsibilities (Chai & Lewis, 2020).

◉ Identifying incidents. The first step in resolving an incident is identifying that it has occurred. Incident managers must be able to promptly locate any issue that could impact business operations.

◉ Resolving incidents. Once an incident has been identified, it is up to the incident manager to fix it as quickly as possible. This often includes working with other departments to get things back up and running.

◉ Reporting incidents. Incident managers must provide regular reports on all happenings in their organization. This helps prevent future incidents and keeps everyone up to date on the latest information.

◉ Training employees. One of the critical responsibilities of an incident manager is training staff on how to respond to different types of incidents. This includes teaching them about the procedures that have been put in place and helping them understand the impact that an incident can have on business operations.

What Are Some Standard Tools Used by Incident Management Teams?

Incident management teams use several tools and technologies to help them respond appropriately to incidents. Some of the most common tools include:

◉ Intrusion detection systems. These systems detect and react to security incidents. They often have features such as real-time alerts and reporting.

◉ Netflow analyzers. These tools help incident managers understand the traffic flowing in and out of their network. This information can identify malicious activity and quickly respond to incidents.

◉ Vulnerability scanners. These scanners help identify vulnerabilities in an organization’s systems and networks. This information can be used to fix the vulnerabilities and prevent future incidents.

◉ Availability monitoring. This type of monitoring helps incident managers track the availability of critical systems and applications. This information can be used to quickly identify and resolve incidents affecting business operations.

◉ Web proxies. A web proxy is a server positioned between the client and the target server. It intercepts all requests from the client and forwards them to the target server. This can be used to monitor traffic and block access to specific websites.

◉ Security information and event management (SIEM) tools. SIEM tools collect and analyze incident security data across an organization. This can help incident managers quickly identify and mitigate any potential threats.

◉ Threat intelligence. Threat intelligence is information about current or emerging threats that can impact an organization. It can be leveraged to help incident managers stay ahead of any potential attacks and protect their business.

How to Create an Effective Incident Management Plan

An effective incident management plan is key to ensuring that your organization can adequately respond to any incidents that occur. Here are some tips for creating effective incident response strategies (Griffin, 2021).

◉ Define the roles and responsibilities of the team. Ensure everyone on the team knows their role and what they need to do to resolve an incident.

◉ Establish procedures. Make sure that you have clear procedures for responding to different types of security incidents. This will help ensure that everyone is on the same page when resolving an incident.

◉ Train employees. Train security and other staff to recognize and respond to various incidents. This will help get the business back up and running with as little downtime as possible.

◉ Create a communication plan. Make sure you have a communication plan and incident response policy in place for sharing information about incidents with employees, customers, and partners.

◉ Test your plan. Testing your plan regularly ensures that it runs smoothly, functions effectively, and is updated to account for new developments in business operations and cybersecurity.

The Growing Demand for In-House Incident Management Teams

As businesses become more aware of the dangers of security incidents, the demand for in-house incident management teams is growing. In-house teams can help organizations promptly respond to any incidents and protect their business from potential attacks—for example, by creating an organization-wide incident response policy.

In response to this growing need, leading cybersecurity education providers like EC-Council have developed specialized incident management training programs. EC-Council’s Certified Incident Handler (E|CIH) program is one of the most popular and well-recognized incident response certifications in the cybersecurity industry.

The accredited E|CIH program covers response procedures for a wide range of security incidents, including malware, email, network, cloud, and web application attacks. If you are a leader looking to strengthen your in-house incident management team or a cybersecurity professional looking to enhance your incident handling skills, the E|CIH is an excellent place to start.

Protect Your Organization with an Incident Handling Certification

Incident management is a critical component of any successful business. By establishing a dedicated incident handling team and implementing an effective incident response plan, you can protect your organization from the impact of cyberattacks.

If you are a cybersecurity professional, consider specializing in incident management to take advantage of the growing demand for these teams.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Understanding and Preventing Social Engineering Attacks

According to PurpleSec (2021), 98% of cyberattacks rely on social engineering. The same report indicates that new employees are the most susceptible: 60% of IT professionals cited recent hires as at high risk of falling for social engineering tactics.

Social engineering attacks use deception, coercion, or other interpersonal methods to achieve an illegitimate or fraudulent outcome. As Jenny Radcliffe, founder and director of social engineering cybersecurity firm Human-Centered Security, says: “Criminals use the fear, the uncertainty, and the doubt—or FUD, as we call it in the business—to create this atmosphere of uncertainty in people’s heads” (Tanium, 2020, para. 11).

Read More: EC-Council Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO)

In this article, we’ll cover the top social engineering attack methods and explain how to defend against them.

Social Engineering Attack Patterns

Social engineering attacks all follow a broadly similar pattern. First, the hacker identifies a target and determines their approach. They then engage the target and build trust. Next, they launch the attack. Finally, once the hacker has what they want, they remove the traces of their attack.

CNN ran an experiment to prove how easy it is to pull off these types of attacks (O’Sullivan, 2019). In the experiment, a hacker successfully obtained a CNN tech reporter’s home address and cell phone number by calling a furniture store where the reporter had recently purchased an item. She got the name of the store from a tweet where the reporter had shared information about his latest purchase.

Spear Phishing

Between March 1 and March 23, 2020, Barracuda Sentinel researchers identified 467,825 spear-phishing email attacks (“Coronavirus-related spear phishing,” 2020). Spear phishing targets specific individuals with malicious attacks that exploit the target’s trust to get them to divulge sensitive information.

A spear-phishing attack starts with investigation. The goal is to gather enough information about the target to fool them into believing the attacker is a trusted person or entity. Attackers often pose as a friend, coworker, or supervisor.

In spear-phishing attacks, hackers send emails that appear to come from a trustworthy source, such as a bank or favorite retailer. The email encourages the recipient to follow a link that enables the hacker to obtain sensitive information, like usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers.

Why Spear Phishing Works

Spear phishing uses the element of trust. People let their guard down when they trust someone. Cybercriminals use this technique because it is an easy way to convince a target to carry out a desired action.

How To Avoid This Type of Social Engineering Attack

One of the easiest ways to stop phishing attacks, including spear phishing, is to carefully check the sender’s email address. Phishing emails that might at first appear to come from a well-known business often have slight spelling variations that are difficult to detect without paying close attention.

It’s also a good idea to check the subject line of the email. Phishing emails often attempt to create a sense of fear or urgency to get the recipient’s attention. Words such as “Important,” “Urgent,” or “Account Past Due” are all red flags.

Baiting

Baiting is a type of social engineering attack in which the cybercriminal lures the target by using a reward as bait. The goal is to gain confidential information or access to a company’s internal network by offering the target something they can’t refuse—for example, a free download or participation in a contest to win money.

Why Baiting Works

Humans are curious by nature. Cybercriminals know this and construct offers that seem too good to be true. If the offer is compelling enough, the target is more likely to divulge sensitive information.

How To Avoid This Type of Social Engineering Attack

Be wary of emails, links, posts, and advertisements. If something looks suspicious, don’t click on it. Likewise, don’t respond to emails that request sensitive information to be provided via email, and before sending personal information online, check the URL. Cybercriminals are good at making sites appear legitimate, so look for slight misspellings or a different domain, such as .net instead of .com.

Quid Pro Quo

In a quid pro quo attack, also known as “gift exchange,” the attacker tries to get a favor from the target in return for something desirable. Similar to baiting, a quid pro quo attack involves a cybercriminal offering to do something that benefits the target but requires the target to perform an action in exchange.

Read More: 312-50: Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

For example, the attacker may call several extensions at a company and pretend to be calling back about a technical support issue. When they identify someone with an existing support issue, they pretend to help the target. However, they instruct the target to perform actions that (unbeknownst to them) will compromise their machine.

Why Quid Pro Quo Attacks Work

People fall for quid pro quo attacks because they believe the task they’re being asked to perform is small and insignificant. These tasks could range from giving out their email address to accepting software upgrades. Attackers are more successful in getting the information or access they want if they make requests that don’t require a significant commitment from the target.

Quid Pro Quo Attack Prevention

As a rule, don’t provide sensitive information unless you initiated the exchange. Verify the company by calling back on a publicly posted phone number. If something seems suspicious, hang up the phone.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Incident Management in Cyber Security

Introduction:

In the field of cybersecurity, incident management can be defined as the process of identifying, managing, recording, and analyzing the security threats and incidents related to cybersecurity in the real world. This is a very important step after a cyber disaster or before a cyber disaster takes place in an IT infrastructure. This process includes knowledge and experience. Good incident management can reduce the adverse effects of cyber destruction and can prevent a cyber-attack from taking place. It can prevent the compromising of a large number of data leaks. An organization without a good incident response plan can become a victim of a cyber-attack in which the data of the organization can be compromised at large.

There is a five-step process for incident management in cybersecurity given by the ISO/IEC Standard 27035. They are as follows.

Step-1 :

The process of incident management starts with an alert that reports an incident that took place. Then comes the engagement of the incident response team (IRT). Prepare for handling incidents.

Step-2 :

Identification of potential security incidents by monitoring and report all incidents.

Step-3 :

Assessment of identified incidents to determine the appropriate next steps for mitigating the risk.

Step-4 :

Respond to the incident by containing, investigating, and resolving it (based on the outcome of step 3).

Step-5 :

Learn and document key takeaways from every incident.

Some tips for security incident management :

◉ Each and every organization needs to have a good and matured plan for the security incident management process, implementing the best process is very useful to make a comprehensive security incident management plan.

◉ Create a security incident management plan with supporting policies including proper guidance on how incidents are detected, reported, assessed, and responded. It should have a checklist ready. The checklist will be containing actions based on the threat. The security incident management plan has to be continuously updated with security incident management procedures as necessary, particularly with lessons learned from prior incidents.

◉ Creating an Incident Response Team (IRT) which will work on clearly defined roles and responsibilities. The IRT will also include functional roles like finance, legal, communication, and operations.

◉ Always create regular training and mock drills for security incident management procedures. This improves the functionality of the IRT and also keep them on their toes.

◉ Always perform a post-incident analysis after any security incident to learn from any success and failure and make necessary adjustments to the program and incident management processes when needed.

Necessary part of incident response :

Always make a habit of collecting evidence and analyze forensics which is a necessary part of incident response. For these circumstances, the following things are needed.

1. A well-defined policy to collect evidence to ensure that it is correct and very much sufficient to make it admissible in the Court of Law.

2. It is also importantly needed to have the ability to employ forensics as needed for analysis, reporting, and investigation.

3. The personnel of the IRT must be trained in cyber forensics, functional techniques and would also have some knowledge in the legal and governance.

Note –

A strong incident management process is very much important in order to reduce the recovery costs, potential liabilities and most importantly reducing the damage to the victim (both at personal level and organizational level).

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

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The Top Five Job Roles for Certified Cybersecurity Technicians

Cyberattacks increased by 50% globally between 2020 and 2021 alone (Check Point, 2022). As a result, demand is rising throughout the United States and internationally for cybersecurity professionals with the breadth of training and experience necessary to handle these growing cyberthreats. This represents an attractive and rewarding opportunity for anyone interested in starting a career in the fast-growing field of cybersecurity: In the United States, available information security analyst positions are expected to increase by 33% between 2020 and 2030 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022), and the average salary for a cybersecurity technician is USD 82,541 (ZipRecruiter, 2022).

EC-Council’s Certified Cybersecurity Technician (C|CT) is a baseline cybersecurity certification program that teaches learners the fundamental techniques and knowledge necessary for starting or advancing a career in information security. In the C|CT course, learners develop a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity that prepares them to succeed in their future endeavors in the industry, including gaining attractive employment opportunities and achieving additional accreditation in their chosen specializations.

Top Job Roles and Responsibilities for Certified Cybersecurity Technicians

EC-Council’s C|CT certification provides participants with strong foundational skills in cybersecurity, including ethical hacking, Internet of Things (IoT) security, and application security. This means that C|CT-certified professionals have the option to pursue a wide range of roles and responsibilities depending on which cybersecurity niche most interests them.

1. Security Operations Center Analyst

Security operations center (SOC) analysts play an essential role in frontline IT security teams. SOC analysts are responsible for reporting malicious activity and implementing security protocols or changes to defend against cyberattacks. SOC analysts earn USD 86,528 per year on average in the United States (Indeed, 2022a).

The responsibilities of a SOC analyst include:

◉ Analyzing potential and incoming threats

◉ Analyzing network vulnerabilities

◉ Investigating and reporting on information security issues and trends

◉ Searching for and responding to newly discovered hardware and software vulnerabilities

◉ Creating disaster recovery plans

2. Network Engineer

Network engineers set up and maintain computer systems throughout an organization. Their goal is to ensure that all hardware is optimized and maintained to ensure the integrity of the network and the organization’s infrastructure, including working with cybersecurity teams to ensure that networks are adequately protected. Cybersecurity professionals in this position are responsible for designing and maintaining network infrastructure, installing firewalls, and providing support and troubleshooting to security teams and clients. The average network engineer in the United States earns USD 90,379 per year (Indeed, 2022b).

The responsibilities of a network engineer include:

◉ Developing and establishing the network environment

◉ Designing and implementing new solutions to improve network resilience

◉ Troubleshooting network errors and outages

◉ Scheduling network upgrades

◉ Securing networks by establishing and maintaining policies

◉ Creating and supporting firewalls

◉ Providing remote support to cybersecurity teams and customers

3. IT Manager

IT managers ensure that all employees in an organization have the appropriate IT hardware and software to do their jobs effectively and safely. They may also coordinate with other departments, such as HR or finance, to ensure all data is secured. This requires a robust understanding of cybersecurity, which students are taught in the C|CT certification course. The average salary for an IT manager in the United States is USD 89,111 per year (PayScale, 2022).

The responsibilities of an IT manager include:

◉ Managing and coordinating IT staff

◉ Managing and evaluating electronic and data operations

◉ Managing computer systems and IT equipment within the organization

4. Ethical Hacker

An ethical hacker identifies security vulnerabilities by testing an organization’s security and network infrastructure using the same techniques and approaches that a malicious hacker would. Ethical hackers may attempt to hack into an organization’s networks, web servers, and applications, in addition to testing for susceptibility to social engineering tactics. The results of an ethical hacker’s tests allow an organization to amend any vulnerabilities relating to current security threats the organization is likely to face. In the United States, the average ethical hacker earns an annual salary of USD 102,764 (Salary.com, 2022).

An ethical hacker’s responsibilities include:

◉ Determining the initial scope of the assessment

◉ Attempting to hack into the organization’s network (with the organization’s consent)

◉ Reporting all security breaches and vulnerabilities to the organization

5. Cybersecurity Technician/Cybersecurity Engineer

EC-Council’s C|CT certification also prepares students for careers as cybersecurity technicians or cybersecurity engineers. Cybersecurity engineers use their technical IT knowledge, combined with penetration testing, ethical hacking, and other skills, to strengthen an organization’s network security. A cybersecurity technician’s role typically involves designing information security plans and working with other departments within the organization to execute those plans. The average salaries for cybersecurity technicians and cybersecurity engineers in the United States are USD 82,541 and 120,455, respectively (ZipRecruiter, 2022a, 2022b).

Other typical responsibilities for a cybersecurity technician or engineer include:

◉ Troubleshooting security issues

◉ Responding to security breaches

◉ Communicating security protocols to other departments

◉ Identifying network vulnerabilities using penetration testing and ethical hacking techniques

Source: eccouncil.org

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The Top 10 Qualities of a Successful CISO

A successful chief information security officer (CISO) needs to wear many hats. CISOs need to manage risk, protect their company’s data, and oversee its security infrastructure. But that’s not all: A successful CISO also needs to have certain qualities that set them apart from other leaders in the field. This article will outline the top 10 qualities a successful CISO needs to have.

What Is a CISO?

A CISO is a senior executive responsible for developing and implementing an organization’s information security program (Gupta, 2021). These programs are designed to protect a company’s data from unauthorized access or theft. A CISO’s responsibilities include managing risk and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and standards.

Read More: EC-Council Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO)

Qualities of a Successful CISO

Though the specific qualities of a successful CISO may vary depending on the organization, there are several key characteristics that all CISOs should possess. These qualities allow them to excel in their role and protect their organization’s data and systems. Let’s take a look at some of these qualities.

1. They have a technical background.

CISOs must have a solid technical background and understand how technology can be used to protect data, networks, and systems. They should also be familiar with current threats and vulnerabilities, as this enables them to design and implement a security infrastructure that is effective and up to date.

2. They’re good communicators.

CISOs are good communicators and can clearly convey security concerns to senior management and other stakeholders. They also know how to translate complex security concepts into language that non-technical personnel can understand.

Communication skills can be learned through public speaking courses, writing workshops, and practice (Dagostino, 2021).

3. They’re organized.

Organizational skills—in particular, the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously—are essential for CISOs. A CISO needs to have a clear vision for their security program and the ability to implement it on schedule. The capability to set and meet deadlines is crucial, since many security projects require quick turnarounds.

The best way for CISOs to improve their organizational skills is to create a system that works for them and stick to it. This may include using a task manager, calendar, or planner.

4. They can manage people effectively.

CISOs are highly skilled at managing and motivating teams of security professionals as well as engaging other members of the organization. They understand the importance of creating a positive work environment and providing adequate resources for their team.

There are many ways to manage and lead people. Some methods include providing clear direction, setting expectations, and being supportive. Leadership skills can be learned through books, online resources, and mentorship programs.

5. They’re ethical.

A CISO is ethical and follows best practices for information security. They also understand the importance of data privacy, including protecting the privacy of their organization’s employees as well as customers and clients.

There are many rules and regulations in the realm of information security. Industry compliance requirements and standards can provide excellent guidance on ethical behavior. A CISO can stay updated on these regulations by reading industry news, attending conferences, and networking with other professionals.

6. They’re proactive.

A successful CISO is proactive and takes steps to prevent cyberattacks before they happen (Dontov, 2021). They also make sure to keep themselves up to date on current threats and vulnerabilities and take appropriate action.

Being proactive means being prepared for potential threats and having a plan to deal with them. This can be done by regularly updating the organization’s security infrastructure, conducting risk assessments, and training employees to spot common cyberthreats, such as phishing attempts.

7. They’re resourceful.

Knowing how to get the most out of limited resources is necessary for any CISO. A good CISO understands that not all organizations have the same budget for security and is able to prioritize according to their company’s needs.

This quality can be developed by understanding how to use various security tools effectively, including incorporating open-source software and free online resources when appropriate.

8. They’re innovators.

A good CISO is innovative and always looking for new ways to improve their organization’s security posture. They are willing to experiment with new technologies (though always maintaining a careful balance with potential security risks).

Innovation can be fostered by attending conferences, reading industry news, and networking with other professionals. It can also be encouraged at the organizational level by allowing employees to explore their creativity and experiment with new ideas.

9. They think strategically.

CISOs think strategically about the security of their organization. They understand the importance of aligning their security needs and requirements with their company’s business goals and ensure that security decisions are consistent with the organization’s overall operations and vision.

This quality can be developed by taking courses in strategic planning, business administration, and information security. It is also essential for CISOs to understand the distinctions between various types of cyberthreats and how different cyberattacks can impact the organization.

10. They can successfully manage risk.

Assessing and mitigating risks to the organization is a key skill that all CISOs should have. A CISO understands how to balance the need for security with the need for business continuity, making risk management a critical skill for CISOs. As a CISO becomes more experienced, they will be better able to identify and handle risks. A successful CISO can manage crisis situations, stays calm under pressure, and has experience dealing with data breaches, system outages, and other emergencies.

This experience can be gained by working in various industries, testing security tools, and participating in risk management forums. Once a CISO becomes more familiar with the types of risks their organization faces, they can develop risk management strategies that meet their company’s specific needs.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Five Anti-Forensic Techniques Used to Cover Digital Footprints

Americans lost over USD 4 billion to cyberattacks in 2020 (McCarthy, 2021). Along with this rise in internet crime, advances in anti-forensic techniques have added new layers of complexity for digital forensic investigators. Anti-forensic techniques are designed to prevent individuals who commit cyberattacks from being discovered. In this article, we’ll explain the five anti-forensic techniques that present the most significant challenges for today’s digital forensic investigators

Read More: 312-50: Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

1. Disk Wiping

The first technique is disk wiping: deleting all of the data on a hard drive or media storage device. Anti-forensic tools can be used to erase the contents of a drive, making it difficult for forensic analysts to recover the data. Drive Wiper, for example, is a Windows-based tool that offers the option to wipe a drive securely, erasing the data beyond recovery. Likewise, File Shredder is a Java-based tool that can overwrite files to prevent recovery.

2. File Encryption

The second technique is file encryption, or the process of transforming readable data into an unreadable format using various encryption algorithms. While encrypting files is an effective way to protect them from prying eyes, anti-forensic tools can also be used to encrypt files with the intent of making them difficult to access or decode.

3. Steganography

The third technique is steganography (National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2018). Steganography is the process of hiding messages or files within another file. Anti-forensic tools like Hidden Tear and Stego Watch can be used to hide information in images, audio, and video, among other file types, so that it is difficult for forensic analysts to uncover. Hidden Tear is a Windows-based tool that can hide files within .jpeg, .gif, and .bmp images. Stego Watch is a Java-based tool that can be used to embed hidden information in .jpeg, .gif, and .png image formats.

4. Compression

The fourth technique is compression, which is used to reduce the size of a file (Microsoft, 2021). Compressing files helps reduce their size, making them more difficult to view or decode. Anti-forensic tools like WinZip and PKZIP can compress files for this purpose. WinZip is a Windows-based tool that can compress files. PKZIP is a DOS and Windows-based tool that can also compress files. 

5. Malware

The fifth technique is malware: a type of software designed to damage or disable computers and processes (Abdelaziz, 2018). Specific tools can be used to install malware on a computer, making it difficult for forensic analysts to recover data. Trojan horses are used to install malware on a computer, while ransomware encrypts the contents of a drive, making it inaccessible to the user.

Become a Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator with an EC-Council Certification

These are just some of the anti-forensic techniques that present challenges for digital forensic investigators today. Cyber forensics is an ever-evolving field, and new tools and methods are being developed all the time. Therefore, forensic analysts and cybersecurity experts need to stay up to date on the latest anti-forensic techniques to ensure that they can uncover evidence of wrongdoing.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Why Conducting Cyber Risk Assessments Is Critical for 21st-Century Businesses

Cybercrime is on the rise around the world, with thousands of cybersecurity breaches occurring each day. In 2020, the FBI reported that its Cyber Division was receiving as many as 4,000 complaints about cyberattacks per day (MonsterCloud, 2020).

To help prevent such attacks and associated financial losses, many companies and their IT teams conduct cyber risk assessments. Cyber risk assessments are a well-proven way to protect organizations’ networks and data. Read on to learn why cyber risk assessments should be an important part of business strategy.

What Are Cyber Risk Assessments?

Cyber risk assessment is the process of identifying, analyzing, and evaluating the risk associated with an organization’s current cybersecurity setup (IT Governance, 2017). A cyber risk assessment aims to properly evaluate the security of a company’s network, systems, and sensitive data, highlighting any existing weak points within the security framework.

In addition, cyber risk assessments highlight which of an organization’s assets are most at risk of being successfully targeted by malicious hackers and cybercriminals. These assets may include:

◉ Hardware

◉ Systems

◉ Devices, such as laptops

◉ Customer data

◉ Intellectual property

Understanding the Importance of Cyber Risk Assessments

Protecting networks, data, and sensitive information is vital to the success of an organization. Regularly conducting risk assessments can help mitigate the risk of costly cyberattacks. While cyber risk assessments alone aren’t a complete defense against cyberattacks, as cybercrime is an ongoing battle, conducting risk assessments can help increase a company’s overall security.

Security incidents and data breaches can be quite costly for companies to handle. If you want to safeguard your company and ultimately save money over the long term, regularly conducting cybersecurity risk assessments should be an important element of your overall business strategy.

How Do Cyber Risk Assessments Benefit Organizations?

Given the number of cyberattacks that happen daily, protecting sensitive organizational data is a necessity. Conducting cyber risk assessments offers a plethora of benefits for companies. Some of the top benefits that cyber risk assessments provide for organizations include:

◉ Systematic and efficient identification of existing cybersecurity vulnerabilities

◉ An understanding of the organization’s current ability to combat existing security threats

◉ The creation of an actionable, step-by-step guide for improving the organization’s security system and preventing malicious hacks

Read More: EC-Council Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO)

Source: eccouncil.org

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How to Effectively Manage Cybersecurity Risk

Cybersecurity issues are becoming more problematic for businesses of all sizes: According to PurpleSec (2021), cybercrime surged by 600% during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the costs of cybercrime are increasing at a startling rate. Implementing an effective risk management program is an essential component of defending against cyberattacks. In this article, learn how to develop a cybersecurity risk management framework and why doing so should be a top priority for chief information security officers (CISOs) and organizations as a whole.

What Is Cybersecurity Risk Management?

Cybersecurity risk management is the process of identifying, analyzing, and addressing an organization’s IT security risks to prevent future cyberattacks and account for ongoing cyberthreats. To prevent cybercrime, IT professionals must develop a robust cybersecurity framework that adheres strictly to relevant guidelines, standards, and best practices.

Why Does Cybersecurity Risk Management Matter?

Maintaining an effective cybersecurity risk management program is complex but essential. Examining risks and their potential impact enables organizations to create strategic goals and lessen the risk of cyberthreats. When a risk management framework is implemented correctly, it allows organizations to better understand the full range of risks they face. The greater an organization’s understanding of these risks, the better it will be able to implement proactive measures.

Creating a cybersecurity risk management plan increases awareness of cyberthreats across your entire organization. Having a preventive strategy in place can:

◉ Mitigate cyberattacks and the damage associated with cyber risks

◉ Reduce operational costs

◉ Protect business assets and revenue

◉ Improve organizational reputation

Developing a Cybersecurity Risk Management Framework

This risk management program checklist will improve your cybersecurity risk assessment and ability to prevent malicious attacks, including those involving malware, phishing, and ransomware.

1. Understand the Security Landscape

Security teams need to have a clear overview of their organization’s security landscape. Knowing everything from the location of servers and devices to the location of pathways leading to fire exits is essential. Without a clear perspective on your organization’s security architecture, tackling security issues will take longer.

2. Identify Gaps

Prioritize the most pressing security risks by using penetration testing methodologies to identify cybersecurity weaknesses. Risk assessment involves identifying security gaps and flaws before a breach happens. This assessment (and follow-up actions taken) will help reduce the severity of potential consequences.

3. Create a Team

Building a cybersecurity team to address emerging threats is challenging, mainly because ongoing cybersecurity risk mitigation requires a committed, highly experienced group of security professionals. It’s generally best to improve cybersecurity starting within your organization. To do so, build your internal staff’s skills through risk management training and programs to enhance productivity, rather than hiring skilled workers externally.

4. Assign Responsibilities

Maintaining cybersecurity is not something that IT teams should handle alone. To effectively prevent breaches, every employee in an organization must be aware of possible risks. Assign policies and tasks to different departments to create an optimized strategy that outlines which teams are responsible for which actions in the event of an intrusion. Clearly delineate duties and responsibilities to safeguard against cybersecurity weaknesses associated with the human factor, particularly employee negligence.

5. Prioritize Risk Management Training

Risk management training ensures that employees know how to use the necessary systems and tools to mitigate cybersecurity risks. Implementing a cybersecurity plan at the organizational level requires experienced staff. An employee who is not security aware is a liability.

6. Implement Cybersecurity Awareness Campaigns

After assessing risks, enforce information security policies to prevent disruptions such as security breaches and network outages. Present these policies in a document to ensure that all employees are aware of relevant cyberthreats. The goal is to increase employee awareness of ongoing risks to maintain an optimal security posture.

7. Implement a Risk Management Framework Based on Industry Standards

Enforcing a suitable cyber risk management framework is critical. Cybersecurity risk management frameworks should be based on industry standards and best practices. Remain mindful of the guidelines and penetration testing methodologies presented in common risk management frameworks, such as the PCI Data Security Standard (PCI Security Standards Council, 2018), ISO/IEC 27001 and 27002 (International Organization for Standardization, 2013a, 2013b), the CIS Critical Security Controls (Center for Internet Security, 2021), and the NIST Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity (National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2018).

8. Develop a Cybersecurity Risk Assessment Program

Cybersecurity risk assessment programs help organizations evaluate their vulnerabilities. Risk assessment programs also define the parameters for organizational configurations, assets, responsibilities, and procedures.

9. Create an Incident Response and Business Continuity Plan

An incident response and business continuity plan covers what actions an organization needs to take to ensure that critical processes continue in the event of a disruption. This plan should be frequently tested, developed, and improved to ensure that your organization has recovery strategies in place.

Source: eccouncil.org

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The Cyber Kill Chain: The Seven Steps of a Cyberattack

The Cyber Kill Chain framework, developed by Lockheed Martin (2022), explains how attackers move through networks to identify vulnerabilities that they can then exploit. Attackers use the steps in the Cyber Kill Chain when conducting offensive operations in cyberspace against their targets. If you’re responsible for defending a network, this model can help you understand the stages of a cyberattack and the measures you can take to prevent or intercept each step.

The Cyber Kill Chain is divided into seven stages: reconnaissance, weaponization, delivery, exploitation, installation, command and control (C2), and actions on objectives. This article describes what each of these steps entails, including the preventive measures that network defenders can take in each stage. You’ll also learn how EC-Council’s Certified Threat Intelligence Analyst (C|TIA) certification can advance your cybersecurity knowledge.

1. Reconnaissance

Reconnaissance is the first stage in the Cyber Kill Chain and involves researching potential targets before carrying out any penetration testing. The reconnaissance stage may include identifying potential targets, finding their vulnerabilities, discovering which third parties are connected to them (and what data they can access), and exploring existing entry points as well as finding new ones. Reconnaissance can take place both online and offline.

2. Weaponization

The weaponization stage of the Cyber Kill Chain occurs after reconnaissance has taken place and the attacker has discovered all necessary information about potential targets, such as vulnerabilities. In the weaponization stage, all of the attacker’s preparatory work culminates in the creation of malware to be used against an identified target. Weaponization can include creating new types of malware or modifying existing tools to use in a cyberattack. For example, cybercriminals may make minor modifications to an existing ransomware variant to create a new Cyber Kill Chain tool.

3. Delivery

In the delivery stage, cyberweapons and other Cyber Kill Chain tools are used to infiltrate a target’s network and reach users. Delivery may involve sending phishing emails containing malware attachments with subject lines that prompt users to click through. Delivery can also take the form of hacking into an organization’s network and exploiting a hardware or software vulnerability to infiltrate it.

4. Exploitation

Exploitation is the stage that follows delivery and weaponization. In the exploitation step of the Cyber Kill Chain, attackers take advantage of the vulnerabilities they have discovered in previous stages to further infiltrate a target’s network and achieve their objectives. In this process, cybercriminals often move laterally across a network to reach their targets. Exploitation can sometimes lead attackers to their targets if those responsible for the network have not deployed deception measures.

5. Installation

After cybercriminals have exploited their target’s vulnerabilities to gain access to a network, they begin the installation stage of the Cyber Kill Chain: attempting to install malware and other cyberweapons onto the target network to take control of its systems and exfiltrate valuable data. In this step, cybercriminals may install cyberweapons and malware using Trojan horses, backdoors, or command-line interfaces.

6. Command and Control

In the C2 stage of the Cyber Kill Chain, cybercriminals communicate with the malware they’ve installed onto a target’s network to instruct cyberweapons or tools to carry out their objectives. For example, attackers may use communication channels to direct computers infected with the Mirai botnet malware to overload a website with traffic or C2 servers to instruct computers to carry out cybercrime objectives.

7. Actions on Objectives

After cybercriminals have developed cyberweapons, installed them onto a target’s network, and taken control of their target’s network, they begin the final stage of the Cyber Kill Chain: carrying out their cyberattack objectives. While cybercriminals’ objectives vary depending on the type of cyberattack, some examples include weaponizing a botnet to interrupt services with a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, distributing malware to steal sensitive data from a target organization, and using ransomware as a cyber extortion tool.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Understanding the Steps of Footprinting: A Guide for Penetration Testers

To properly mitigate the risks of malicious hacks, cybersecurity professionals need to understand the different techniques that attackers use. One of these techniques is footprinting: the process of collecting data about an organization or other target with the intent of committing a cyberattack.

In this article, we’ll look at what footprinting is, its relationship with penetration testing, the steps involved in footprinting, and—most importantly—how to prevent and mitigate the risk of cyberattacks resulting from successful footprinting.

What Is Footprinting?

In short, footprinting refers to the process of collecting data over time in order to make a targeted cyberattack (GeeksforGeeks, 2021). Footprinting involves gathering information about a target—typically related to its network infrastructure, systems, and users—without actually committing an attack.

Footprinting can be performed manually or using automated tools. It may involve scanning for open ports, identifying user accounts, and mapping network topologies. By understanding the layout of the target’s infrastructure, attackers can identify potential vulnerabilities that may be exploitable. Additionally, by gathering information about users (including usernames and passwords), attackers can access sensitive data or even take over user accounts for malicious purposes.

In the ethical hacking context, footprinting is often used as part of a penetration test: a type of security measure that simulates a real-world cyberattack to assess the strength of an organization’s cybersecurity posture. Penetration testers use footprinting at an early stage in the assessment process to gather as much information about the target organization as possible. For those looking to gain the skills necessary to conduct footprinting, EC-Council’s Certified Penetration Testing Professional (C|PENT) training program is an excellent place to start.

Types of Footprinting

There are two main types of footprinting: passive and active.

◉ Passive footprinting involves collecting data without actively engaging with the target system. Under this approach, information is collected through crawling websites and social media platforms, among other methods. For example, tools like tcpdump and Wireshark can be used to capture packets sent and received by the target system.

◉ Active footprinting involves interacting with the target system to gather information. This can be done manually or using automated tools like Nmap and Nessus. Active footprinting is more intrusive and can potentially cause harm to the target system if not done carefully, but it can also gather information that can’t be collected through passive footprinting.

What Information Is Collected in Footprinting?

The goal of footprinting is to gather as much information about the target as possible in order to increase the likelihood of success when actually planning and executing an attack. This includes identifying any security weaknesses and gathering contact information for system administrators and other users who may access sensitive data. During footprinting, various types of information may be collected (Ghahrai, 2019).

◉ Network topology. Collecting this type of information involves identifying the IP addresses and hostnames of all systems on the network and mapping out the connections among them.

◉ Operating systems and applications. Information about the target’s operating system and applications can be used to identify potential security vulnerabilities. For example, if a company uses an outdated version of Windows, it may be vulnerable to specific attacks that are not possible against newer versions.

◉ User accounts. Footprinting can reveal usernames and passwords for user accounts on the target system, which can be helpful in the later stages of an attack.

◉ Web servers. This includes the servers’ software versions, installed modules, and enabled features.

Steps in Footprinting

Several steps need to be followed during footprinting to collect all relevant information.

1. Identifying Targets

The first step is to identify which systems or organizations to footprint by scanning networks for open ports or performing reconnaissance using Google searches and tools like Shodan.

2. Gathering Information

After the target has been identified, the next step is to gather as much information about it as possible using tools like Nmap, Netcat, and Whois to identify open ports and services, usernames and passwords, web server information, and more.

3. Analyzing Results

After all relevant data has been collected, it needs to be analyzed to determine the most vulnerable points. This is done by identifying common weaknesses across multiple systems or comparing results against known exploits.

4. Planning Attacks

The final step is to use the information gathered during footprinting to plan a successful attack against the target’s systems, networks, and devices. This may involve developing custom exploits or choosing a suitable attack vector based on the data collected.

How Footprinting Is Used in Penetration Testing

The goal of footprinting is simple: Gather as much information about the target as possible. An attacker will try to exploit any discovered vulnerabilities to collect information about the target. Successful penetration tests can enable organizations to fix vulnerabilities before an attack can occur.

Penetration testing, often known as pen testing, involves making an authorized attack on a computer system or network in order to find security weaknesses. Penetration testing is frequently used in the web application security context, for example, to complement web application firewalls and other security measures.

Penetration testers may use many methods to perform an actual penetration test (Gupta, 2022), but footprinting should always be the first step. Understanding the footprinting process and how to interpret collected information sets penetration testers up for success in the later stages of an assessment. Many sources of information are available on footprinting, including online courses, books, and YouTube videos. However, the best way to improve is by practicing and applying what you’ve learned to real-world scenarios.

How to Improve Your Penetration Testing Skills

As a penetration tester, it’s important to conduct footprinting—and fully utilize the information you collect in your planning process—before you simulate an attack scenario. If you’re looking to start or advance your career in cybersecurity, gaining an understanding of the steps involved in footprinting and other aspects of penetration testing is an excellent place to start. 

Source: eccouncil.org

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The Most Common Cloud Computing Security Issues and Challenges

All organizations that rely on cloud platforms need enhanced security that still allows team members, customers, and other stakeholders to access their applications and online data from a wide range of locations. With the adoption of cloud applications and storage growing each year, businesses need to understand the security challenges that cloud computing entails.

More Info: EC-Council Certifications

In 2020, the total worth of the cloud computing market was USD 371.4 billion, with a predicted compound annual growth rate of 17.5% (Sumina, 2022). If this growth rate holds, the total cloud computing market will be worth approximately USD 832.1 billion by 2025. Reliable industry growth is therefore driving demand for more cloud computing security professionals.

Because of the growing demand for cloud technologies that are accessible across a wide range of geographical areas, cybersecurity professionals, particularly cloud security engineers, are faced with the task of overcoming various cloud computing security issues and challenges. In this article, we’ll explore some of today’s top security challenges in cloud computing.

Common Cloud Computing Security Risks

As a cybersecurity professional, it’s important to be aware of the security threats, issues, and challenges your customer’s or employer’s cloud infrastructure faces. Some of the most common ones include:

◉ Security system misconfiguration

◉ Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks

◉ Data loss due to cyberattacks

◉ Unsecure access control points

◉ Inadequate threat notifications and alerts

Security System Misconfigurations

According to Trend Micro’s (2021) analysis of data from the Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure cloud platforms, between 65 and 70% of all cloud security issues arise from security misconfigurations. There are multiple reasons why misconfigurations can occur in a cloud network’s security system.

First, cloud infrastructure is optimized for accessibility and data sharing, making it difficult for cybersecurity professionals to ensure that only authorized parties can access data. An excellent example of this is link-based data sharing, wherein anyone with a link can gain access to data.

Second, using a cloud service means that organizations don’t have complete visibility into or control of their infrastructure, instead relying on the security arrangement of the cloud service provider (CSP). This dependence on CSPs for security highlights the importance of choosing a quality CSP.

A third reason cloud security misconfigurations occur is that many organizations use more than one CSP and experience difficulty familiarizing themselves with each CSP’s security controls. A failure to understand all applicable security controls can lead to misconfigurations and security oversights, creating weaknesses that malicious hackers can exploit.

Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks

DoS attacks can cause a machine or a network to crash, making it no longer accessible to users. Malicious attackers can either send information to the target that causes it to shut down or flood it with traffic to overwhelm it and cause a crash.

A downed network can be held for ransom and cause revenue losses, and it can also harm a company’s authority and customer relations. Cloud security experts need in-depth knowledge of how to implement DoS attack protection and remediation strategies.

Data Loss Resulting from Cyberattacks

Defending a partially or fully migrated network against cyberattacks of all types poses unique challenges for cybersecurity professionals. Cybercriminals often target cloud-based networks because they are generally accessible from the public internet. Since multiple companies will often use the same CSP, attackers can repeat a successful cyberattack on one target to gain access to many more. Additionally, cloud-based infrastructures are frequently not secured properly, a fact that many malicious hackers are aware of and know how to exploit.

Losing valuable data through human error, natural disasters that destroy physical servers, or malicious attacks that aim to destroy data can be disastrous for any company. Moving business-critical data to the cloud can increase these security concerns, since organizations won’t be able to access the affected servers on site. Functional and tested disaster recovery and backup processes need to be in place to counter this risk. Security solutions will need to be built into every network layer to protect against data loss from cyberattacks.

Unsecure Access Control Points

One of the main attractions of cloud networks is their accessibility from anywhere, which allows teams and customers to connect regardless of their location. Unfortunately, many of the technologies with which users interact, like application programming interfaces (APIs), are vulnerable to attacks if cloud security is not correctly configured and optimized. Since these vulnerabilities give hackers an entry point, it’s important to use web application firewalls to confirm that all HTTP requests originate from legitimate traffic, thus ensuring that web applications and operations relying on APIs are constantly protected.

Inadequate Threat Notifications and Alerts

One of the cornerstones of any effective network or computer security system is how quickly threat notifications and alerts can be sent to website or security personnel. Cloud-based systems are no different. Instant notifications and alerts enable proactive threat mitigation, which can prevent successful hacks and minimize damages.

Become a Certified Cloud Security Engineer with EC-Council

While the above is by no means a definitive list of cloud security risks, it covers some of the most common challenges you’re likely to face as a cloud security engineer. Many more cloud computing security issues and challenges will arise as CSPs develop better cloud technology, as the industry grows as a whole, and as cybercriminals refine their hacking techniques. As organizations continue to migrate part or all of their operations to the cloud, demand for cloud security engineers is steadily growing each year, making this a stable career path that anyone interested in cybersecurity should consider.

EC-Council’s Certified Cloud Security Engineer (C|CSE) certification is a specialized, industry-recognized cybersecurity credential that covers both vendor-neutral and vendor-specific cloud security concepts. This holistic curriculum means that students in the C|CSE course will learn broadly applicable cloud security concepts along with specific techniques to use with AWS Cloud, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and other CSPs.

Source: eccouncil.org

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EC-Council’s Cybersecurity Technician Certification

The C|CT: A Brand-New Cybersecurity Course to Kickstart Your Professional Career

Cybersecurity is one of the most vital and fast-growing professions in the world, and there’s good news for those interested in starting a career in this field: EC-Council has launched the Certified Cybersecurity Technician (C|CT), a brand-new entry-level certification course.

The C|CT course covers every introductory concept needed to succeed in cybersecurity, including topics like network defense, ethical hacking, and digital forensics. Enroll in EC-Council’s C|CT program today to kickstart your cybersecurity career!

What the Certified Cybersecurity Technician Course Entails

The C|CT course covers the basics of secure computer use, internet security tools, operating system security features, network security devices, and virus protection methods, among other topics. With 85 practical labs, the course is designed for those who want to obtain practical, hands-on experience before entering the cybersecurity field (although students should have some technical background, as the curriculum covers topics requiring basic knowledge of computers).

Introduction to Cybersecurity

This unit focuses on the essential principles and practices of cybersecurity. It covers how to identify and respond to cyberthreats, protect systems and networks against cyberattacks, and secure information assets. After completing this module, students will understand the basics of cybersecurity threats and how to mitigate and respond to them with different defense mechanisms.

Network Defense

This module introduces the theory and practice of network defense. It covers how to identify threats, defend networks against cyberattacks, and respond to network security incidents. Network security precautions like firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and encryption are also covered. After completing this module, students will know how to defend networks from common attacks and how to respond to network-related security incidents.

Ethical Hacking

This module provides an introduction to ethical hacking concepts and methods. It covers how attackers exploit systems and networks and how ethical hackers can use the same techniques to analyze and protect organizations’ environments. Techniques like footprinting, scanning, and enumeration are covered in detail. After completing this unit, students will be able to identify vulnerabilities in systems and networks and mitigate their risks.

Digital Forensics

In this module, students will learn about the methods used by cyber forensic investigators to examine digital devices to extract evidence for use in legal proceedings, including techniques for data acquisition, evidentiary analysis, and reporting. After completing this module, students will know how to conduct a digital forensic investigation and understand the process of evidence collection and preservation.

Security Operations

This module introduces the theory and practice of security operations and management. It covers how to identify, respond to, and investigate security incidents. This includes managing incidents, assessing damage, and restoring systems to regular operation. Students will learn the basics of how a security operations center is managed using industry-standard tools and procedures. After completing this module, students will know how to manage security operations and understand the importance of security policies.

Comprehensive, Performance-Based Exam

After completing all modules, students earn the C|CT certification by taking a comprehensive exam designed to test their knowledge and skills learned throughout the course. The exam consists of both knowledge-based, multiple-choice questions and a performance-based practical challenge.

The hands-on performance assessment is a critical component of the exam, as it gives students the opportunity to truly prove their understanding by applying their knowledge in a real-world environment. This sets the C|CT apart from other entry-level certifications, which do not test learners’ knowledge in live settings.

EC-Council’s Industry-Renowned Certifications

EC-Council is a global leader in cybersecurity education and training and offers a variety of world-renowned certifications in addition to the C|CT, including the Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH) and Certified Penetration Testing Professional (C|PENT). Obtaining an EC-Council certification demonstrates that a cybersecurity professional has the required skills and knowledge to defend against attacks and protect an organization’s critical information. These credentials validate that the certification holder can successfully perform essential cybersecurity tasks, such as identifying and mitigating cyberthreats, performing risk assessments, and conducting incident response.

The Benefits of Pursuing a Career in Cybersecurity

There are many benefits to pursuing a career in cybersecurity. Here are some of the top reasons to enter this exciting field:

◉ Cybersecurity is a well-paid profession. The average salaries for the top-earning cybersecurity jobs range from USD 125,000 to 250,000 (Hatten, 2021).

◉ There are many opportunities for advancement. With experience and additional training, C|CT-certified professionals can move up the career ladder to a position as a network administrator, systems engineer, or chief information security officer (CISO).

◉ Cybersecurity professionals can work from anywhere in the world. Cybersecurity skills are in high demand in every country and industry, and many cybersecurity jobs offer remote or hybrid work options.

◉ The cybersecurity job market is expected to grow massively in the next few years. The cybersecurity industry is expected to drive USD 372 billion in revenue by 2028 (Grand View Research, 2021).

◉ The work is exciting and challenging. Cybersecurity professionals are constantly faced with new challenges as they work to protect organizations from ever-evolving threats. Cybersecurity workers can expect to regularly use their creativity and problem-solving skills.

Jobs in the Cybersecurity Field

EC-Council’s C|CT certification is a gateway to a career in cybersecurity. After completing the program and becoming a C|CT, students will have the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue various entry-level jobs in the cybersecurity field, as the course provides an excellent foundation for further study and certifications.

The following are just some of the jobs that C|CTs can pursue once they have obtained their cybersecurity technician certification.

Cybersecurity Analyst

Cybersecurity analysts defend organizations’ computer networks and systems against cyberattacks. They identify threats, develop defense strategies, and monitor networks for suspicious activity.

Systems Administrator

Systems administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of organizations’ computer systems. They install and maintain software and hardware and troubleshoot related problems.

Network Engineer

Network engineers design, construct, and maintain organizations’ computer network infrastructures. They plan and execute network upgrades, repairs, and expansions.

Chief Information Security Officer

CISOs are responsible for an organization’s overall cybersecurity strategy. They develop and implement policies and procedures to protect data from unauthorized access.

Ethical Hacker

Ethical hackers are cybersecurity professionals who utilize hacking techniques to test the security of an organization’s computer systems—with the organization’s permission—to identify vulnerabilities and recommend solutions.

The Future of Cybersecurity

The future of cybersecurity is bright: With the increasing number of cyberattacks (Brooks, 2021), businesses are realizing the importance of a strong cybersecurity team. As more organizations move into the digital age, the need for qualified cybersecurity professionals will continue to grow.

The C|CT course is the perfect place to start for those seeking a career in cybersecurity. As a C|CT-certified cybersecurity professional, you’ll have the opportunity to work in a wide range of industries and have many potential career paths to choose from.

Source: eccouncil.org

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