Master the Skills of Advanced Incident Response and Threat Hunting with SANS FOR508
SANS FOR508: Advanced Incident Response and Threat Hunting Course Review
If you are a cyber security professional who wants to level up your skills in incident response, threat hunting, and digital forensics, you might be interested in taking the SANS FOR508: Advanced Incident Response and Threat Hunting Course. This course is designed to teach you how to hunt down, identify, counter, and recover from a wide range of threats within enterprise networks, including APT nation-state adversaries, organized crime syndicates, ransomware syndicates, and hactivists.
sans for508 pdf
In this article, we will review the course content, format, assessment, feedback, and FAQs to help you decide if this course is right for you. We will also provide some tips and resources to help you prepare for the course and the certification exam.
Course Content
The SANS FOR508 course is a six-day intensive training program that covers advanced skills and techniques in incident response, threat hunting, and digital forensics. The course is divided into six modules, each focusing on a different aspect of the topic. Here is an overview of what you will learn in each module:
Day 1: Advanced Incident Response & Threat Hunting Process. You will learn how to use a structured approach to perform compromise assessments, detect breaches, identify compromised systems, perform damage assessments, contain and remediate incidents, track adversaries, and develop threat intelligence.
Day 2: Windows Enterprise Incident Response & Threat Hunting. You will learn how to analyze Windows artifacts such as registry hives, event logs, prefetch files, shimcache entries, amcache entries, link files, jump lists, web browser history, shellbags, USB devices history, etc. You will also learn how to use tools such as Timeline Explorer, Shellbags Explorer, Registry Explorer/RECmd, etc.
Day 3: Memory Forensics & Threat Hunting. You will learn how to acquire and analyze memory images from Windows systems using tools such as DumpIt and Volatility. You will also learn how to identify malicious processes, DLLs, drivers, network connections, injected code, hooks, rootkits, etc.
Day 4: Linux Enterprise Incident Response & Threat Hunting. You will learn how to analyze Linux artifacts such as log files, bash history files, cron jobs, processes, network connections, etc. You will also learn how to use tools such as Plaso/log2timeline, Sleuth Kit, Autopsy, etc.
Day 5: Advanced Network Forensics & Threat Hunting. You will learn how to capture and analyze network traffic using tools such as Wireshark, tcpdump, NetworkMiner, etc. You will also learn how to identify network anomalies, malicious traffic, C2 communications, exfiltration activities, etc.
Day 6: Advanced Anti-Forensics Detection & Threat Hunting Capstone Exercise. You will apply all the skills and techniques learned in the previous modules to a realistic scenario involving a complex attack by an APT group. You will have to hunt down the attackers, identify their tools and techniques, determine their objectives and actions, and provide recommendations for remediation and prevention.
Course Format
The SANS FOR508 course can be taken in two formats: in-person or online. Both formats have the same content and duration, but differ in the delivery method and schedule. Here are the main differences between the two formats:
In-person
Online
You attend a live classroom session with an instructor and other students at a designated location and time.
You access a recorded or live online session with an instructor and other students at your own pace and convenience.
You receive a printed course book and a USB drive with the course materials and resources.
You receive a digital course book and access to an online portal with the course materials and resources.
You have the opportunity to network and interact with the instructor and other students face-to-face.
You have the opportunity to network and interact with the instructor and other students via online forums and chats.
You have to travel to the course location and pay for your accommodation and transportation costs.
You can take the course from anywhere with an internet connection and save on travel expenses.
The course instructors and authors are experienced and certified cyber security professionals who have extensive knowledge and expertise in incident response, threat hunting, and digital forensics. Some of the instructors and authors include:
Chad Tilbury: Chad is a SANS Fellow and a co-author of FOR508. He is also a co-founder of Arsenal Consulting, where he leads engagements involving digital forensics, incident response, and threat hunting. He has over 20 years of experience in law enforcement, military, and private sector cyber security roles.
Rob Lee: Rob is also a SANS Fellow and a co-author of FOR508. He is also the curriculum lead for digital forensics and incident response courses at SANS. He is also the founder of Dragos, a company that provides industrial control system security solutions. He has over 15 years of experience in cyber security, including serving as a cyber warfare officer in the U.S. Air Force.
Mike Pilkington: Mike is a SANS Principal Instructor and a co-author of FOR508. He is also a senior incident response analyst at Expel, where he leads investigations involving advanced threats. He has over 10 years of experience in cyber security, including working as a malware analyst at Mandiant.
Course Assessment
After completing the SANS FOR508 course, you have the option to take the GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA) certification exam. The GCFA certification validates your skills and knowledge in advanced incident response, threat hunting, and digital forensics. The GCFA certification is highly regarded in the cyber security industry and can help you advance your career and credibility.
The GCFA exam has the following format and requirements:
The exam consists of 115 multiple-choice questions that cover the topics and skills taught in the FOR508 course.
The exam has a time limit of 3 hours.
The exam has a passing score of 71%.
The exam is proctored online or at a testing center.
The exam costs $1,999 USD (or $769 USD if you take it within four months of completing the course).
The exam is valid for four years from the date of passing.
To prepare for the GCFA exam, you can use the following tips and resources:
Review the course materials and resources provided by SANS, including the course book, USB drive, online portal, etc.
Practice using the tools and techniques taught in the course on realistic scenarios and data sets.
Take advantage of the practice exams provided by SANS and GIAC to familiarize yourself with the exam format, questions, and time limit.
Use external resources such as books, blogs, podcasts, webinars, etc. to supplement your learning and stay updated on the latest trends and developments in incident response, threat hunting, and digital forensics.
Join online communities such as Reddit, Discord, Twitter, etc. to network with other students and professionals who are preparing for or have taken the GCFA exam.
Course Feedback
the course:
Pros
Cons
The course covers a comprehensive and up-to-date curriculum that reflects the current challenges and best practices in incident response, threat hunting, and digital forensics.
The course is very intensive and requires a lot of time and effort to complete. Some students may find it overwhelming or difficult to keep up with the pace and depth of the course.
The course provides hands-on exercises and practical examples that allow students to apply the skills and techniques learned in the course to realistic scenarios and data sets.
The course requires a lot of technical skills and knowledge to perform the exercises and understand the concepts. Some students may need to review or learn some prerequisites before taking the course.
The course instructors and authors are experts and leaders in the field of cyber security who have extensive experience and credentials in incident response, threat hunting, and digital forensics.
The course instructors and authors may not be available or accessible for all students, especially for online students who may have limited interaction or communication with them.
The course prepares students for the GCFA certification exam, which is a valuable and recognized credential in the cyber security industry that can enhance their career and credibility.
The course does not guarantee that students will pass the GCFA certification exam, which is a challenging and costly exam that requires a lot of preparation and practice.
Here are some testimonials from past students who have taken the course:
"This course was amazing. It taught me so much about incident response, threat hunting, and digital forensics that I didn't know before. The instructor was very knowledgeable and engaging, and the exercises were very realistic and fun. I highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn how to hunt down and stop advanced threats."
"This course was very hard but very rewarding. It pushed me to my limits and made me think like an attacker. The instructor was very helpful and supportive, and the materials were very well-organized and detailed. I learned a lot of new tools and techniques that I can use in my job as an incident responder."
"This course was very informative and practical. It covered a lot of topics and skills that are relevant and useful for incident response, threat hunting, and digital forensics. The instructor was very experienced and professional, and the resources were very comprehensive and updated. I enjoyed this course a lot and I feel more confident in my abilities."
Conclusion
and recognized credential in the cyber security industry that can enhance their career and credibility.
If you are interested in taking the SANS FOR508 course, you can visit the official website of SANS Institute and check the course schedule, location, and availability. You can also contact SANS Institute for any questions or inquiries regarding the course registration, payment, or cancellation. You can also find more information and resources about the course and the GCFA certification exam on the website.
We hope this article has given you a clear and comprehensive overview of the SANS FOR508 course and helped you decide if this course is right for you. We wish you all the best in your learning journey and your career in cyber security.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about the SANS FOR508 course:
How much does the course cost?
The course cost varies depending on the format, location, and date of the course. The average cost of the course is around $6,000 USD for in-person courses and $5,000 USD for online courses. The cost includes the course materials, resources, and access to the online portal. The cost does not include the GCFA certification exam fee, which is $1,999 USD (or $769 USD if you take it within four months of completing the course).
How long is the course valid for?
The course is valid for four years from the date of completion. After four years, you will need to retake the course or take another SANS course to renew your knowledge and skills in incident response, threat hunting, and digital forensics.
What are the prerequisites for the course?
The course does not have any formal prerequisites, but it assumes that you have some basic knowledge and experience in cyber security, especially in incident response, threat hunting, and digital forensics. You should also be familiar with Windows and Linux operating systems, network protocols and analysis tools, memory acquisition and analysis tools, etc. You should also have a laptop that meets the technical requirements for the course.
What are the technical requirements for the course?
You will need a laptop that has at least 8 GB of RAM, 100 GB of free disk space, a USB 3.0 port, a wireless network adapter, and a Windows operating system (Windows 10 recommended). You will also need to install VMware Workstation Player or VMware Fusion on your laptop. You will receive a USB drive with a Linux virtual machine that contains all the tools and data sets needed for the course.
How can I register for the course?
You can register for the course online by visiting the official website of SANS Institute and selecting the course format, location, and date that suits you. You will need to fill out an online form with your personal and payment information and agree to the terms and conditions of SANS Institute. You will receive a confirmation email with your registration details and instructions on how to access the course materials and resources.
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