CREST CPTIA - CREST Practitioner Threat Intelligence Analyst

If a hacker influences an employee or a disgruntled staff member to gain access to an organization's resources or sensitive information, this is classified as an insider attack. Insider attacks are perpetrated by individuals within the organization, such as employees, contractors, or business associates, who have inside information concerning the organization's security practices, data, and computer systems. The threat from insiders can be intentional, as in the case of a disgruntled employee seeking to harm the organization, or unintentional, where an employee is manipulated or coerced by external parties without realizing the implications of their actions. Phishing attacks, footprinting, and identity theft represent different types of cybersecurity threats where the attacker's method or objective differs from that of insider attacks.References:The CREST program addresses various types of threats, including insider threats, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and mitigating risks posed by individuals within the organization.

The information shared by Alice, which was highly technical and included details such as threat actor tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), malware campaigns, and tools used by threat actors, aligns with the definition of tactical threat intelligence. This type of intelligence focuses on the immediate, technical indicators of threats and is used bysecurity operation managers and network operations center (NOC) staff to protect organizational resources. Tactical threat intelligence is crucial for configuring security solutions and adjusting defense mechanisms to counteract known threats effectively.References:

"Tactical Cyber Intelligence," Cyber Threat Intelligence Network, Inc.

"Cyber Threat Intelligence for Front Line Defenders: A Practical Guide," by James Dietle

The correct flow of stages in an Incident Handling and Response (IH&R) process as outlined in the Incident Handler (CREST CPTIA) by EC-Council begins with Preparation. This phase involves getting ready for potential incidents by developing plans, policies, and procedures, and ensuring that tools and team training are up to date. Incident Recording is the next stage, where incidents are documented and reported. Incident Triage follows, prioritizing incidents based on their impact and urgency. Containment is next, aiming to limit the damage of the incident and prevent further spread. Eradication comes after containment, where the root cause of the incident is removed. Recovery is the stage where affected systems are restored to their operational status. Post-Incident Activities conclude the process, reviewing and learning from the incident to improve future response efforts.

References:This structured approach is foundational in the CREST CPTIA program, ensuring that incident handlers are prepared to systematically address and manage cybersecurity incidents efficiently.

In the risk assessment process, calculating the probability that a threat source will exploit an existing system vulnerability is known as likelihood analysis. This step involves evaluating how probable it is that the organization's vulnerabilities can be exploited by potential threats, considering various factors such as the nature of the vulnerability, the presence and capability of threat actors, and the effectiveness of current controls. Elizabeth's task of assessing the probability of exploitation is crucial for understanding the risk level associated with different vulnerabilities and for prioritizing risk mitigation efforts based on the likelihood of occurrence.

References:The Certified Incident Handler (CREST CPTIA) program by EC-Council includes detailed discussions on risk assessment methodologies, where likelihood analysis is highlighted as a key component in evaluating risks to organizational security.

For memory dump analysis, tools like Scylla and OllyDumpEx are more suited. These tools are designed to analyze and extract information from memory dumps, which can be crucial for understanding the state of a system at the time of an incident. Scylla is used for reconstructing imports in dumped binaries, while OllyDumpEx is an OllyDbg plugin used for dumping process memory. Both tools are valuable for incident handlers like Rinni who are performing memory dump analysis to uncover evidence or understand the behavior of malicious software.

Centralized storage architecture refers to a system where data is stored in a localized system, server, or storage hardware. This type of storage is capable of holding a limited amount of data in its database and is locally available for data usage. Centralized storage is commonly used in smaller organizations or specific departments within larger organizations where the volume of data is manageable and does not require the scalability offered by distributed or cloud storage solutions. Centralized storage systems simplify data management and access but might present challenges in terms of scalabilityand data recovery.References:

"Data Storage Solutions for Your Business: Centralized vs. Decentralized," Techopedia

"The Basics of Centralized Data Storage," by Margaret Rouse, SearchStorage

In Wireshark, the filtericmp.type==8is used to detect ping sweep attempts. ICMP type 8 messages are echo requests, which are used in ping operations to check the availability of a network device. A ping sweep involves sending ICMP echo requests to multiple addresses to discover active devices on a network. By filtering for ICMP type 8 messages in Wireshark, Bran can identify these echo requests, helping to pinpoint ping sweep activities on the network.

References:Wireshark, as a network protocol analyzer, is frequently discussed in the CREST CPTIA program, with particular emphasis on its utility in detecting network reconnaissance activities like ping sweeps through specific filter usage.

James is working on the post-incident activities stage of the Incident Handling and Response (IH&R) process. After containing the spread of the infection and removing the malware, the focus shifts to assessing the impact of the incident on the organization and preparing a detailed report. This phase involves analyzing the extent of the damage, determining the cost of the attack, evaluating how well the incident was managed, and identifying lessons learned to improve future response efforts. The objective is to restore systems to normal operation, ensure no remnants of the threat remain, and implement measures to prevent recurrence.References:Incident Handler (CREST CPTIA) courses and study guides outline the IH&R process, emphasizing the importance of post-incident activities for organizational recovery and improvement of future security measures.

In the context of US Federal Agencies, incidents are categorized based on their impact on operations, assets, or individuals. A DoS attack that prevents or impairs the authorized functionality of networks and is still ongoing without successful mitigation efforts typically falls under Category 2 (CAT 2). This category is designated for incidents that have a significant impact, requiring immediate reporting and response. The reporting timeframe of within 2 hours as mentioned aligns with the urgency associated with CAT 2 incidents, emphasizing the need for swift action to address the attack and restore normal operations.References:US Federal incident response guidelines and the Incident Handler (CREST CPTIA)courses outline the categorization of cybersecurity incidents, detailing the response protocols for each category, including the reporting timeframes.

Incorporating a data management requirement in the threat knowledge repository is essential to provide the ability to modify or delete past or irrelevant threat data. Effective data management practices ensure that the repository remains accurate, relevant, and up-to-date by allowing for the adjustment and curation of stored information. This includes removing outdated intelligence, correcting inaccuracies, and updating information as new insights become available. A well-managed repository supports the ongoing relevance and utility of the threat intelligence, aiding in informed decision-making and threat mitigation strategies.References:

"Building and Maintaining a Threat Intelligence Library," by Recorded Future

"Best Practices for Creating a Threat Intelligence Policy, and How to Use It," by SANS Institute