Training Course on Custom Threat Hunting Queries (Splunk, ELK)

Course Title: Training Course on Custom Threat Hunting Queries (Splunk, ELK)

Executive Summary

This two-week intensive course empowers cybersecurity professionals to proactively hunt for threats using custom queries in Splunk and ELK. Participants will learn to develop advanced search techniques, analyze logs, identify anomalies, and create actionable intelligence. The curriculum blends theoretical foundations with hands-on labs, allowing participants to build practical skills in query construction, data visualization, and threat pattern recognition. Emphasis is placed on understanding attacker tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) to effectively detect and respond to sophisticated cyber threats. By the end of the course, attendees will be able to independently design, implement, and refine threat hunting strategies tailored to their organization’s specific environment, significantly enhancing their security posture and incident response capabilities.

Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, reactive measures are no longer sufficient. Organizations must adopt a proactive approach to threat detection, actively seeking out malicious activity before it causes significant damage. This course addresses this critical need by providing in-depth training on custom threat hunting queries using two of the industry’s leading security information and event management (SIEM) platforms: Splunk and ELK. Participants will delve into the intricacies of log analysis, query construction, and data visualization, learning how to identify anomalies, detect suspicious patterns, and uncover hidden threats. The course emphasizes a practical, hands-on approach, with numerous labs and exercises designed to reinforce key concepts and build real-world skills. By the end of the program, attendees will be equipped with the knowledge and abilities to develop and implement effective threat hunting programs within their organizations.

Course Outcomes

• Develop custom threat hunting queries in Splunk and ELK.
• Analyze logs and identify anomalies indicative of malicious activity.
• Understand attacker tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).
• Create actionable intelligence from threat hunting activities.
• Design and implement threat hunting strategies tailored to specific environments.
• Improve incident response capabilities through proactive threat detection.
• Effectively use data visualization to identify threat patterns.

Training Methodologies

• Interactive lectures and discussions.
• Hands-on labs and exercises using Splunk and ELK.
• Real-world case studies and threat scenarios.
• Query writing workshops and code reviews.
• Group projects and collaborative threat hunting simulations.
• Expert guest speakers from the cybersecurity industry.
• Individual coaching and mentoring.

Benefits to Participants

• Enhanced skills in threat hunting and log analysis.
• Improved ability to proactively detect and respond to cyber threats.
• Increased expertise in using Splunk and ELK for security monitoring.
• Greater understanding of attacker tactics and techniques.
• Career advancement opportunities in the cybersecurity field.
• Increased confidence in identifying and mitigating security risks.
• Valuable networking opportunities with other cybersecurity professionals.

Benefits to Sending Organization

• Reduced risk of successful cyberattacks.
• Improved incident response time and effectiveness.
• Enhanced security posture through proactive threat detection.
• Increased visibility into potential security threats.
• Improved utilization of existing SIEM infrastructure (Splunk and ELK).
• More efficient security operations.
• Better-informed security decision-making.

Target Participants

• Security Analysts
• Security Engineers
• Incident Responders
• Threat Intelligence Analysts
• SOC Analysts
• System Administrators
• Network Engineers

WEEK 1: Foundations of Threat Hunting and Query Building

Module 1: Introduction to Threat Hunting

1. Defining Threat Hunting: Concepts and Methodologies
2. The Threat Hunting Process: Planning, Execution, and Reporting
3. Understanding the Cyber Kill Chain and MITRE ATT&CK Framework
4. Identifying High-Value Assets and Critical Infrastructure
5. Building a Threat Hunting Team and Establishing Communication Protocols
6. Legal and Ethical Considerations in Threat Hunting
7. Setting Up Your Threat Hunting Lab: Essential Tools and Resources

Module 2: Splunk Query Fundamentals

1. Introduction to Splunk Search Processing Language (SPL)
2. Basic SPL Commands: Search, Where, Sort, and Rename
3. Filtering Data: Using Operators and Wildcards
4. Time-Based Searches and Event Correlation
5. Creating Splunk Reports and Dashboards
6. Optimizing Splunk Queries for Performance
7. Best Practices for Splunk Query Writing

Module 3: ELK Stack Query Fundamentals

1. Introduction to Elasticsearch Query DSL
2. Basic Elasticsearch Queries: Match, Term, and Range
3. Filtering Data: Using Bool Queries and Filters
4. Aggregations: Counting, Grouping, and Statistical Analysis
5. Creating Kibana Visualizations and Dashboards
6. Optimizing Elasticsearch Queries for Performance
7. Best Practices for Elasticsearch Query Writing

Module 4: Log Analysis and Data Sources

1. Understanding Different Log Types: System Logs, Application Logs, and Security Logs
2. Analyzing Windows Event Logs for Suspicious Activity
3. Analyzing Linux Audit Logs for Intrusion Detection
4. Analyzing Network Traffic Logs: NetFlow and PCAP
5. Analyzing Web Server Logs for Web Application Attacks
6. Enriching Logs with Threat Intelligence Feeds
7. Centralized Log Management and Data Normalization

Module 5: Advanced Splunk Query Techniques

1. Using Subsearches and Joins for Data Correlation
2. Creating Custom Field Extractions with Regular Expressions
3. Using Splunk Lookups for Data Enrichment
4. Analyzing Data with Statistical Commands: Trendline, Predict, and Cluster
5. Creating Splunk Alerts and Scheduled Searches
6. Developing Custom Splunk Apps for Threat Hunting
7. Integrating Splunk with Other Security Tools

WEEK 2: Advanced Threat Hunting and Implementation

Module 6: Advanced ELK Stack Query Techniques

1. Using Scripting in Elasticsearch Queries
2. Using Parent-Child Relationships in Elasticsearch
3. Using Elasticsearch Geo Queries for Location-Based Analysis
4. Creating Custom Elasticsearch Analyzers and Tokenizers
5. Developing Custom Kibana Visualizations
6. Integrating ELK Stack with Other Security Tools
7. Using Beats to Collect and Ship Data to Elasticsearch

Module 7: Threat Intelligence and Data Enrichment

1. Understanding Threat Intelligence Feeds: Open Source and Commercial
2. Integrating Threat Intelligence with Splunk and ELK
3. Using Threat Intelligence to Identify Suspicious Activity
4. Enriching Logs with Geolocation Data
5. Enriching Logs with DNS Information
6. Enriching Logs with User Information
7. Developing Custom Threat Intelligence Feeds

Module 8: Hunting for Specific Threats

1. Hunting for Malware Infections
2. Hunting for Phishing Attacks
3. Hunting for Brute Force Attacks
4. Hunting for Data Exfiltration
5. Hunting for Insider Threats
6. Hunting for Vulnerability Exploitation
7. Hunting for Command and Control (C2) Activity

Module 9: Automation and Orchestration

1. Automating Threat Hunting Tasks with Splunk
2. Automating Threat Hunting Tasks with ELK Stack
3. Integrating Threat Hunting with Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) Platforms
4. Creating Playbooks for Automated Incident Response
5. Using APIs to Integrate Threat Hunting with Other Security Tools
6. Building Custom Automation Scripts
7. Best Practices for Security Automation and Orchestration

Module 10: Building a Threat Hunting Program

1. Defining Goals and Objectives for Your Threat Hunting Program
2. Identifying Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Threat Hunting
3. Developing a Threat Hunting Roadmap
4. Establishing a Threat Hunting Workflow
5. Creating a Threat Hunting Knowledge Base
6. Communicating Threat Hunting Findings to Stakeholders
7. Continuous Improvement of Your Threat Hunting Program

Action Plan for Implementation

1. Conduct a thorough assessment of the current security posture and identify key areas for improvement.
2. Establish clear goals and objectives for the threat hunting program.
3. Develop a detailed implementation plan with timelines and responsibilities.
4. Allocate resources for training, tools, and personnel.
5. Establish a communication plan to keep stakeholders informed of progress.
6. Monitor the effectiveness of the threat hunting program and make adjustments as needed.
7. Regularly review and update the threat hunting plan to adapt to the evolving threat landscape.