CompTIA Security+
1 Threats, Attacks, and Vulnerabilities
1-1 Types of Threats
1-2 Types of Attacks
1-3 Vulnerabilities
1-4 Threat Actors and Motives
1-5 Threat Intelligence
1-6 Incident Response
1-7 Penetration Testing
1-8 Vulnerability Scanning
1-9 Threat Modeling
1-10 Security Controls
2 Technologies and Tools
2-1 Firewalls
2-2 Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)
2-3 Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS)
2-4 Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
2-5 Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
2-6 Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR)
2-7 Endpoint Security
2-8 Network Security
2-9 Cloud Security
2-10 Mobile Device Security
2-11 Secure Coding Practices
2-12 Cryptography
2-13 Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
2-14 Certificate Management
2-15 Security Tools and Utilities
3 Architecture and Design
3-1 Security Models
3-2 Security Controls
3-3 Secure Network Design
3-4 Secure Systems Design
3-5 Secure Application Design
3-6 Secure Cloud Architecture
3-7 Secure Mobile Architecture
3-8 Secure IoT Architecture
3-9 Secure Data Storage
3-10 Secure Backup and Recovery
3-11 Security in DevOps
3-12 Security in Agile Development
3-13 Security in Continuous IntegrationContinuous Deployment (CICD)
3-14 Security in Configuration Management
3-15 Security in Identity and Access Management (IAM)
4 Identity and Access Management
4-1 Authentication Methods
4-2 Authorization Mechanisms
4-3 Identity and Access Management (IAM) Concepts
4-4 Single Sign-On (SSO)
4-5 Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
4-6 Federation
4-7 Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
4-8 Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC)
4-9 Identity as a Service (IDaaS)
4-10 Identity Lifecycle Management
4-11 Access Reviews and Audits
4-12 Privileged Access Management (PAM)
4-13 Identity Federation
4-14 Identity Provisioning and Deprovisioning
5 Risk Management
5-1 Risk Management Concepts
5-2 Risk Assessment
5-3 Risk Mitigation Strategies
5-4 Business Impact Analysis (BIA)
5-5 Risk Register
5-6 Risk Treatment
5-7 Risk Monitoring and Reporting
5-8 Risk Appetite and Tolerance
5-9 Risk Communication
5-10 Risk Transfer
5-11 Risk Acceptance
5-12 Risk Avoidance
5-13 Risk Reduction
5-14 Risk in Cloud Environments
5-15 Risk in Mobile Environments
5-16 Risk in IoT Environments
6 Cryptography and PKI
6-1 Cryptographic Concepts
6-2 Symmetric Encryption
6-3 Asymmetric Encryption
6-4 Hashing
6-5 Digital Signatures
6-6 Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
6-7 Certificate Management
6-8 Certificate Authorities (CAs)
6-9 Certificate Revocation
6-10 Key Management
6-11 Cryptographic Protocols
6-12 Cryptographic Attacks
6-13 Quantum Cryptography
6-14 Post-Quantum Cryptography
6-15 Cryptographic Use Cases
7 Security Operations
7-1 Security Operations Concepts
7-2 Security Policies and Procedures
7-3 Security Awareness and Training
7-4 Security Monitoring and Logging
7-5 Incident Response
7-6 Forensics
7-7 Disaster Recovery
7-8 Business Continuity
7-9 Physical Security
7-10 Personnel Security
7-11 Supply Chain Security
7-12 Third-Party Risk Management
7-13 Security Audits and Assessments
7-14 Compliance and Regulatory Requirements
7-15 Security Metrics and Reporting
7-16 Security Operations Center (SOC)
7-17 Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR)
7-18 Security in DevOps
7-19 Security in Agile Development
7-20 Security in Continuous IntegrationContinuous Deployment (CICD)
7.6 Forensics Explained

7.6 Forensics Explained

Key Concepts

Forensics in cybersecurity involves the collection, preservation, and analysis of digital evidence to investigate security incidents. Key concepts include Digital Forensics, Incident Response, Evidence Collection, Chain of Custody, and Legal Considerations.

Digital Forensics

Digital Forensics is the process of identifying, extracting, preserving, and documenting digital evidence from computers, networks, and other digital devices. It is used to investigate cybercrimes and security incidents.

Example: A forensic analyst recovers deleted files from a compromised server to determine the extent of a data breach. The analyst uses specialized tools to extract and analyze the data, ensuring that the evidence is admissible in court.

Incident Response

Incident Response is the process of identifying, analyzing, and mitigating security incidents. Forensic techniques are often used during incident response to gather evidence and understand the nature of the attack.

Example: When a company experiences a ransomware attack, the Incident Response Team uses forensic tools to analyze the malware and trace its origin. This helps the team understand how the attack was executed and prevents future incidents.

Evidence Collection

Evidence Collection involves gathering digital artifacts such as logs, files, and network traffic that can be used to investigate a security incident. Proper collection techniques ensure the integrity and admissibility of the evidence.

Example: During a forensic investigation, an analyst collects system logs, network packets, and disk images from a compromised system. The analyst uses write-blockers to prevent any changes to the original data, ensuring the evidence is preserved accurately.

Chain of Custody

Chain of Custody is the process of documenting the handling, transfer, and storage of evidence from the point of collection to the point of presentation in court. It ensures that the evidence has not been tampered with and maintains its integrity.

Example: A forensic analyst documents every step taken during the collection and analysis of digital evidence, including timestamps and the names of individuals who handled the evidence. This documentation forms the chain of custody, which is crucial for legal proceedings.

Legal Considerations

Legal Considerations involve understanding the legal requirements and constraints when conducting forensic investigations. This includes compliance with laws, regulations, and court orders.

Example: A forensic analyst must be aware of privacy laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), when investigating a data breach. The analyst ensures that the investigation complies with legal requirements and protects the privacy of individuals.

Conclusion

Forensics is a critical component of cybersecurity that helps investigate and understand security incidents. By understanding Digital Forensics, Incident Response, Evidence Collection, Chain of Custody, and Legal Considerations, organizations can effectively gather and analyze digital evidence to protect their assets and maintain compliance.