10 Essential Skills for SOC Analysts

Introduction

• Two scenarios: Successful hacker attack vs. Failed hacking attempt.
• Failure due to SOC (Security Operations Center) Analyst intervention.
• The importance of a SOC Analyst in cybersecurity.
• The lecture will cover 10 must-have skills for a SOC Analyst.

1. Cybersecurity Fundamentals

**Concepts: **

• CIA Triad: Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability
• Information security
• OSI Model
• TCP and packet headers
• Key protocols: HTTP/HTTPS, DNS, FTP
• Cryptography: Encryption, Hashing, Public Key Infrastructure
• Types of cyber attacks: Malware, DoS, Web-based, Phishing

**Tools: **

• Command prompt: ipconfig, ping, tracert, etc.
• MX Toolbox for DNS understanding.

2. Operating Systems

**Concepts: **

• Directories
• Network settings
• File editor
• File systems

**Tools: **

• VirtualBox to create virtual machines
• Kali Linux: File permissions, network settings, file editors (Nano, Gedit, VI)

3. Network Security

**Concepts: **

• Firewalls: Stateful, Web Application, Next-Gen
• IDS (Intrusion Detection System)
• IPS (Intrusion Prevention System)

**Tools: **

• Commercial firewalls: Checkpoint, Cisco ASA, Palo Alto, Fortinet
• Open-source firewalls: PF Sense, Security Onion

4. Vulnerability Management

**Concepts: **

• Vulnerability scanning
• Vulnerability assessment
• Risk assessment: CVSS score, false positives
• Prioritize and address vulnerabilities: Remediation, Mitigation, Acceptance
• Continuous vulnerability management

**Tools: **

• nmap (open source)
• OpenVAS, Nexpose, Tenable.io (commercial)

5. Incident Response

**Concepts: **

• Incident response process: Early detection, Analysis, Prioritization, Notification
• Incident response framework: NIST, SANS
• Incident response automation: Playbooks, Tool integration
• Threat intelligence: Diamond Model, MITRE ATT&CK, TTPs, IoCs
• Types of threat intelligence: Tactical, Operational, Strategic

**Tools: **

• Splunk Enterprise Security, IBM QRadar, Elastic, MISP
• Wazuh, Shuffle, Ansible

6. Phishing Analysis

**Concepts: **

• Types of phishing attacks: Email phishing, Spear phishing, Whaling, Smishing, Vishing, Angler phishing
• Email header analysis
• URL and IP reputation check
• Domain lookup (WHOIS)

**Tools: **

• VirusTotal, mailheader.org, IBM X-Force, CheckPhish

7. Malware Analysis

**Concepts: **

• Types of malware
• Static malware analysis
• Dynamic malware analysis
• Packing techniques
• Sandbox environments

**Tools: **

• PE Studio, Process Monitor, ProcDot, Process Hacker, IDA Pro, Wireshark, ANY.RUN

8. Digital Forensics

**Concepts: **

• Collecting and analyzing evidence (network and host-based)
• Acquiring volatile and non-volatile memory
• System storage
• Malware analysis

**Tools: **

• Autopsy, FTK Imager, Wireshark, EnCase, Volatility, Registry Viewer, HashCalc

9. Security Frameworks and Compliances

**Concepts: **

• Key frameworks: PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, SOX, ISO 27001, NIST CSF

Tools:

• Various auditing and compliance documentation.

10. Workplace Skills

**Concepts: **

• Communication
• Teamwork
• Critical thinking

Tools/Actions:

• Links to courses and resources for improving workplace skills.

Conclusion

• Summarized the 10 skills.
• Encouraged questions and provided additional resources for further learning.