Cybersecurity Techniques & Strategies

Introduction to Cybersecurity in IT Operations

Cybersecurity is essential in maintaining the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of IT systems. It admins serve as the first line of defense against evolving digital threats.

• Modern Threat Landscape
• Roles and Responsibilities of IT admins in Cybersecurity
• Common Attack Vectors: Insider Threats, Ransomware, Phishing
• CIA Triad and Security Principles
• Defense in Depth Strategy
• Zero Trust Principle
• NIST Cybersecurity Framework
• NIS2 Regulation

Identity and Access Management

Identities face key security challenges such as weak or reused credentials, and poor enforcement of least privilege principles. Misconfigured roles, lack of multi-factor authentication, and dormant accounts further increase the risk of unauthorized access.

• Identity Providers
• Authentication Methods
• MFA Options and Best Practices
• Passwordless Authentication
• Credential and Token Theft Techniques
• Principle of Least Privilege
• Account Security Best Practices

Endpoint and Server Security

Many systems can be manipulated through unpatched vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and lack of visibility into device activity. Attackers often exploit outdated software or improperly secured systems to gain initial access or escalate privileges within a network.

• Securing Endpoints: Antivirus, EDR, Patching
• Windows/Linux Hardening Techniques
• Configuration Baselines (CIS Benchmarks)
• MITRE ATT&CK Framework

Network Security and Monitoring

Network security involves protecting data in transit and detecting malicious activity across network infrastructure. Challenges include encrypted threat traffic, lateral movement by attackers, and gaps in real-time visibility or alert fatigue.

• Firewalls and Access Control Lists (ACLs)
• IDS/IPS Concepts and Tools
• Network Segmentation
• Network Traffic Analysis: Wireshark - nmap
• Log Analysis
• SIEM Overview
• Attack Types: DDOS Attacks, DNS Spoofing, ...
• Protect Against Network Attacks

Secure Software & Systems Lifecycle

Security must be integrated in your systems from design through decommissioning. That process comes with considerable challenges including insecure coding practices, lack of security testing, and failure to patch or retire outdated systems.

• Secure Deployment Principles
• Managing Updates and Changes
• Common Misconfigurations: Open RDP, Default Creds, ...
• Golden Images and Provisioning Pipelines: Packer, Ansible, GitHub Workflows, ...

Cryptography and Encryption

Protecting data confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity relies on converting information into secure, protected formats. Challenges often arise from poor key management, outdated algorithms, and incorrect implementation that can leave systems vulnerable.

• Hashing - Encryption - Encoding
• Symmetric Versus Assymetric Encryption
• Common Algorithms: AES - RSA - SHA2 - ECC
• Protecting Data at Rest: Disk Encryption, File Encrytion
• Protecting Data in Transit: TLS, VPNs
• Public Key Infrastructure and Digital Certificates
• Common Misconfigurations and Vulnerabilities
• Key Generation, Rotation, and Storage (HSM, TPM)

Secure Code and Applications

Developing software with security in mind helps prevent vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit. Common pitfalls include improper input validation, insecure data handling, and lack of error handling, which can lead to breaches or system failures.

• OWASP Top 10
• Identify Bugs and Application Vulnerabilities
• Code Injection Attacks
• Supply Chain Attacks in Open Source Libraries
• Micro-Architectural Attacks
• Securely Access Credentials and Sensitive Data from Code

Social Engineering and AI-based Attacks

Attackers manipulate human behavior to gain unauthorized access, often exploiting trust, fear, or curiosity. Emerging AI-based techniques amplify these threats by crafting highly convincing phishing and impersonation attacks that are harder to detect.

• Social Engineering
• Social Engineering Attacks: Phishing - Baiting - Tailgating - Scareware - ...
• Defense Strategies against Social Engineering Attacks
• AI-Powered Cyberattacks
• AI Attacks: Data Poisoning - Prompt Injections - Model Manipulations

Incident Response & Business Continuity

Effective preparation and coordinated actions are critical to quickly contain and recover from security incidents. Ensuring business continuity involves planning for disruptions to minimize downtime and maintain essential operations during and after attacks.

• Incident Lifecycle: From Detection to Recovery
• IT Admin's Playbook During a Breach
• Log and Forensic Evidence Preservation
• Business Continuity Planning

Security Strategies

Simulated attacks and defensive exercises help organizations identify vulnerabilities and improve their security posture. Techniques like penetration testing and red team/blue team drills reveal weaknesses before real attackers can exploit them.

• Red Team - Blue Team - Purple Team
• Penetration Testing
• Awareness Training and Insider Threat Prevention
• Physical Security