Security Operations Center (SOC)

Cisco Learning and Certifications via Coursera

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/security-operations-center-soc

Introduction

### Course Review: Security Operations Center (SOC) on Coursera In today's digital landscape, organizations are constantly confronted with the looming threat of cyberattacks. As a result, the importance of proficient cybersecurity professionals is more critical than ever. For associate-level cybersecurity analysts seeking to enhance their expertise in security operations centers (SOCs), the **Security Operations Center (SOC)** course on **Coursera** stands out as a comprehensive and practical offering. #### Overview The SOC course is meticulously designed for individuals who have a foundational understanding of cybersecurity and wish to develop their skills to maintain and operate a SOC effectively. This course provides insight into the primary functions of a SOC, detailing the essential skills and knowledge necessary to defend organizational assets against cyber threats. Throughout the course, learners will engage with content that covers the following key areas: - **Team Responsibilities:** Understand what SOC team members do on a day-to-day basis and their roles in incident response. - **Threat Identification:** Learn about the various cyber adversaries, their motivations, and the tactics they employ in attacks. - **SOC Implementation Goals:** Review the objectives of establishing a SOC within an organization and the associated business benefits. - **Technical and Procedural Challenges:** Identify and address challenges that SOCs face on both technical and procedural fronts. #### Syllabus Breakdown The course syllabus encompasses a series of modules that progressively build upon each other: 1. **Introduction to Security Operations Center**: A foundational overview of SOC functions and the significance of their operation in cybersecurity. 2. **Security Operations Center Processes and Services**: This module evaluates the core responsibilities of a SOC and the services it offers during incident response. 3. **SOC Deployment Models and Types**: Explore the different SOC types, staffing needs, and deployment considerations relevant to various organizational profiles. 4. **Staffing an Effective SOC Team**: Gain insights into the personnel structure within SOCs, detailing the roles and skills necessary for effective operations. 5. **Security Events Data and SOC Analyst Tools**: Understand the tools and methodologies used for data collection and analysis, crucial for identifying security events. 6. **Developing Key Relationships with Internal and External Stakeholders**: Learn about establishing communication with various stakeholders, including internal departments and regulatory agencies. 7. **Understanding SOC Metrics**: Examine how to measure a SOC’s performance and effectiveness through various metrics. 8. **Understanding SOC Workflow and Automation**: Discover the integration of workflow management systems (WMS) and automation in SOCs, enhancing overall efficacy. #### Recommendations This course is highly recommended for associate-level cybersecurity analysts who seek to cement their understanding of Security Operations Centers. The structured format provides both theoretical knowledge and practical insights, making it suitable for both novices and those with some experience in the field. **Key Benefits:** - **Understanding of SOC Dynamics:** The course provides a thorough understanding of daily activities within a SOC, promoting better collaboration and efficiency. - **Development of Analytical Skills:** The focus on tools and data analytics sharpens skills relevant to identifying and mitigating cyber threats. - **Industry-Relevant Knowledge:** With current practices and strategies in cybersecurity, this course is aligned with the evolving nature of security threats. **Who Should Enroll:** If you possess foundational skills similar to those acquired in the Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA) course, exhibit familiarity with Ethernet, TCP/IP networking, and have basic knowledge of Windows and Linux operating systems, this course will elevate your cybersecurity career. #### Final Thoughts Investing the time to complete the Security Operations Center (SOC) course on Coursera will undoubtedly equip you with essential skills and knowledge to thrive in the demanding field of cybersecurity. This course not only enhances understanding but also prepares participants to take charge in the event of security incidents, making it an invaluable addition for anyone looking to advance in their cybersecurity career.

Syllabus

Introduction to Security Operations Center

If you are an associate-level cybersecurity analyst who is working in security operation centers, this course will help you acquire the fundamental skills required in a security operations center. You will learn the primary functions of a security operations center (SOC) and the critical role it plays in protecting organizational assets from cyber-attacks. By the end of the course, you will be able to: • Gain an understanding of SOC team member’s daily activities and responsibilities. • Identify who these bad actors are, their motives, why they attack, and what they attack. • Review the goals of implementing a SOC and covers the business benefits that an organization achieves by employing a SOC. • Introduce technical and procedural challenges in a SOC. To be successful in this course, you should have the following background: 1. Skills and knowledge equivalent to those learned in Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA) v1.0 course 2. Familiarity with Ethernet and TCP/IP networking 3. Working knowledge of the Windows and Linux operating systems 4. Familiarity with basics of networking security concepts.

Security Operations Center Processes and Services

If you are an associate-level cybersecurity analyst who is working in security operation centers, this lesson evaluates SOC processes and services. By the end of the course, you will be able to: • Understand primary responsibilities of a SOC and its interactions with other departments within the organization.• Understand various services that a SOC provides throughout the incident response phases. To be successful in this course, you should have the following background: 1. Skills and knowledge equivalent to those learned in Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA) v1.0 course 2. Familiarity with Ethernet and TCP/IP networking 3. Working knowledge of the Windows and Linux operating systems 4. Familiarity with basics of networking security concepts.

SOC Deployment Models and Types

If you are an associate-level cybersecurity analyst who is working in security operation centers, this course will help you understand SOC types, staffing considerations, and deployment models and their consumers. By the end of the course, you will be able to: • Describe various SOC types and staffing considerations. • Describe SOC deployment models and their corresponding consumer profiles. To be successful in this course, you should have the following background: 1. Skills and knowledge equivalent to those learned in Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA) v1.0 course 2. Familiarity with Ethernet and TCP/IP networking 3. Working knowledge of the Windows and Linux operating systems 4. Familiarity with basics of networking security concepts.

Staffing an Effective SOC Team

If you are an associate-level cybersecurity analyst who is working in security operation centers, this course will help you to understand about staff that work in SOC and their personnel roles and titles. Describe the necessary skills to work in a SOC. By the end of the course, you will be able to: • Describe the role of each SOC member in general and in the context of incidence response. Describe the skill set of each SOC member and their toolkit components. • Describe the interactions of SOC members with each other and external entities in the context of incidence response. To be successful in this course, you should have the following background: 1. Skills and knowledge equivalent to those learned in Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA) v1.0 course 2. Familiarity with Ethernet and TCP/IP networking 3. Working knowledge of the Windows and Linux operating systems 4. Familiarity with basics of networking security concepts.

Security Events Data and SOC Analyst Tools

If you are an associate-level cybersecurity analyst who is working in security operation centers, this course will help you understand the data collection and data analytics activities performed in a SOC. Identify tools for performing data collection and analysis activities and how they complement each other. By the end of the course, you will be able to: • Describe SOC relevant data and security event data. • Describe SOC tools and their features. To be successful in this course, you should have the following background: 1. Skills and knowledge equivalent to those learned in Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA) v1.0 course 2. Familiarity with Ethernet and TCP/IP networking 3. Working knowledge of the Windows and Linux operating systems 4. Familiarity with basics of networking security concepts.

Developing Key Relationships with Internal and External Stakeholders

If you are an associate-level cybersecurity analyst who is working in security operation centers, this course will help you understand the importance of using effective tools and developing a good relationship with external organizations. Describe the most important tools and software the SOC team uses to achieve this goal. By the end of the course, you will be able to: • Describe intelligence resources, regulatory agencies, and government industry organizations with which the SOC communicates. • Describe the policies, procedures, and governance rules to integrate with SOC procedures that define how it engages with users, HR, and legal in response to detected violations of procedures. To be successful in this course, you should have the following background: 1. Skills and knowledge equivalent to those learned in Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA) v1.0 course 2. Familiarity with Ethernet and TCP/IP networking 3. Working knowledge of the Windows and Linux operating systems 4. Familiarity with basics of networking security concepts.

Understanding SOC Metrics

If you are an associate-level cybersecurity analyst who is working in security operation centers, this course will help you explain the use of SOC metrics to measure the effectiveness of the SOC. By the end of the course, you will be able to: • Explain security data aggregation. • Explain Time to Detection (TTD) in context to network security. • Describe security controls detection effectiveness. • Describe SOC metrics. To be successful in this course, you should have the following background: 1. Skills and knowledge equivalent to those learned in Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA) v1.0 course 2. Familiarity with Ethernet and TCP/IP networking 3. Working knowledge of the Windows and Linux operating systems 4. Familiarity with basics of networking security concepts.

Understanding SOC Workflow and Automation

If you are an associate-level cybersecurity analyst who is working in security operation centers, this course will help you understand the use of a workflow management system and automation to improve the effectiveness of the SOC. By the end of the course, you will be able to: • Describe SOC WMS concepts. • Describe how a typical workflow management system is integrated within a SOC.• Describe SOC WMS integration. • Provide an example of SOC workflow automation. To be successful in this course, you should have the following background: 1. Skills and knowledge equivalent to those learned in Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA) v1.0 course 2. Familiarity with Ethernet and TCP/IP networking 3. Working knowledge of the Windows and Linux operating systems 4. Familiarity with basics of networking security concepts.

Overview

If you are an associate-level cybersecurity analyst who is working in security operation centers, this course will help you acquire the fundamental skills required in a security operations center. You will learn the primary functions of a security operations center (SOC) and the critical role it plays in protecting organizational assets from cyber-attacks. By the end of the course, you will be able to: • Gain an understanding of SOC team member’s daily activities and responsibilities. • Identif

Skills

Reviews

excellent soc i have completed almost every vendor soc but cisco soc is amazing

This feels like its a great path to CCNA security.

Week 8 presentations were pretty dry by using a Powerpoint presentation and audio quality was lacking.

This was an informative course. It has broaden my knowledge as I expected

A great introductory course to SOC. Thanks Cisco and Cousera!