ECCouncil 312-38 - Certified Network Defender (CND)

 The symptoms described by the employees, such as systems being very slow, restarting automatically, and experiencing frequent hangs, are indicative of a security incident involving malicious code. Malicious code refers to software or scripts designed to cause harm to a computer system, network, or server. In this case, the virus that forces systems to shut down automatically after a period of time is a type of malicious code. It disrupts the normal functioning of the system, leading to decreased performance and unexpected behavior.

References: The classification of this type of security incident aligns with the Certified Network Defender (CND) curriculum, which includes understanding and identifying various types of security threats, including those caused by viruses and other forms of malicious code12. The CND program emphasizes the importance of recognizing the signs of malware infection, which can include system slowdowns, crashes, and other erratic behaviors that impact system availability and performance1.

The scenario described is a classic example of a ransomware attack. Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts the victim’s data, rendering it inaccessible, and then demands payment for the decryption key. In this case, the attacker has encrypted the company’s billing information and client records and is asking for money to restore access, which is characteristic of ransomware attacks.

References: This definition aligns with the information provided by sources such as IBM, which describes ransomware as malware that holds a victim’s data or device hostage, threatening to keep it locked—or worse—unless a ransom is paid1. Additionally, the Wikipedia page on ransomware provides a comprehensive overview of this type of malware, including its operation and the typical demand for a ransom in exchange for decryption2.

In TCP/IP networking, establishing a connection typically starts with a SYN (synchronize) flag and ends with a FIN (finish) flag. This is part of the normal TCP three-way handshake and connection termination process:

SYN (Synchronize): Initiates a connection.

SYN-ACK (Synchronize-Acknowledge): Acknowledges the SYN and responds with a SYN.

ACK (Acknowledge): Acknowledges the SYN-ACK, establishing the connection.

FIN (Finish): Terminates the connection.

Observing a SYN flag at the beginning and a FIN flag at the end of the connection indicates a normal, properly terminated TCP session, establishing a baseline for normal traffic patterns.

References:

EC-Council Certified Network Defender (CND) Study Guide

TCP/IP protocol suite documentation

Business Impact Analysis (BIA) is the process that determines the potential impacts of business function disruptions and gathers information needed to develop recovery strategies. A critical part of BIA is examining Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs) and Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs) for a disaster recovery strategy. RPOs define the maximum age of files that must be recovered from backup storage for normal operations to resume after a disaster, while RTOs specify the maximum amount of time that a resource can remain unavailable after a disaster.

References: The role of BIA in examining RPOs and RTOs is a fundamental concept in disaster recovery and business continuity planning, which is covered in the EC-Council’s Certified Network Defender (CND) curriculum. The importance of BIA in disaster recovery is also supported by industry best practices and guidelines12.

 The process of scanning an application for the existence of a remediated vulnerability is known as verification. This step is crucial to ensure that the vulnerability has been properly addressed and that the application is no longer susceptible to the previously identified threat. Verification must adhere to the organization’s security policies, which provide the framework and guidelines for all security-related activities. These policies ensure that the verification process is conducted in a manner that is consistent with the organization’s overall security posture and compliance requirements.

References: The Certified Network Defender (CND) program emphasizes the importance of adhering to security policies during all stages of network defense, including the verification of remediated vulnerabilities. This ensures that the network remains secure and that all defense measures are in line with the established security protocols123.

A CCTV camera that can be accessed on a smartphone from a remote location typically uses the Device-to-Cloud communication model. This model involves devices that connect directly to the cloud where data is stored and processed. Users can access this data through an application on their smartphones, allowing for remote monitoring and control. This setup is common for IP cameras that transmit data over the internet, enabling users to view live footage or recordings from anywhere with an internet connection123.

References: The Device-to-Cloud communication model is widely recognized in the context of remote access to surveillance systems, as it provides the necessary infrastructure for transmitting and storing data from CCTV cameras to a cloud platform, which users can then access via smartphones or other devices123.

Differential backups are advantageous because they only back up data that has changed since the last full backup. This means they require less storage space than taking a full backup every time, which can be significant as data accumulates over time. Additionally, differential backups are generally faster than full backups because they involve less data. This speed can be crucial for maintaining regular backup schedules without disrupting network operations. Lastly, because differential backups involve less data and take less time, they can be less expensive than full backups, considering the costs associated with storage and the time required for backup operations.

References: The Certified Network Defender (CND) program by EC-Council includes discussions on various backup strategies, including differential backups, as part of its comprehensive approach to network security. The program emphasizes the importance of efficient and effective backup strategies as a part of disaster recovery and business continuity planning12.

 Simon’s situation requires a tool that can monitor and alert administrators of critical file changes across the network. Tripwire is a File Integrity Monitoring (FIM) tool that serves this exact purpose. It can detect changes to system and configuration files, directories, and registry keys, and it is especially useful for spotting unauthorized changes that could indicate a security breach. Tripwire can help ensure that important files have not been tampered with, which seems to be the concern for Simon’s network following the incident.

References: The Certified Network Defender (CND) course material and study guide from EC-Council include discussions on the importance of monitoring critical systems and protecting network integrity. Tripwire is often highlighted in industry resources as a robust FIM tool that aligns with the objectives of maintaining network security and integrity as outlined in the CND curriculum1.