CyberSec First Responder (CFR-410) Course

In today’s evolving threat landscape, the ability to detect, respond to, and mitigate cybersecurity incidents is critical for protecting digital infrastructure. This comprehensive course equips cybersecurity professionals with the skills needed to assess risks, analyze threats, and execute incident response tactics in alignment with globally recognized standards such as NIST 800-61r2, US-CERT’s NCIRP, and DoD 8570.01-M certification guidelines.

Designed for aspiring incident responders, security analysts, and network defenders, this course provides hands-on training in network defense strategies, attack analysis, and forensic investigation techniques. Whether you're working in a government, corporate, or critical infrastructure environment, you’ll learn how to safeguard systems from real-world cyber threats and secure your organization's assets.

Looking to build foundational skills first? Start with our Cybersecurity Fundamentals or Network Security Essentials courses.

This course is designed to assist students in preparing for the CertNexus CyberSec First Responder (Exam CFR-410) certification examination. What you learn and practice in this course can be a significant part of your preparation. In addition, this course and subsequent certification (CFR-410) meet all requirements for personnel requiring DoD directive 8570.01-M position certification baselines:

• CSSP Analyst
• CSSP Infrastructure Support
• CSSP Incident Responder
• CSSP Auditor

Objectives

In this course, you will identify, assess, respond to, and protect against security threats and operate a system and network security analysis platform. You will:

• Assess cybersecurity risks to the organization.
• Analyze the threat landscape.
• Analyze various reconnaissance threats to computing and network environments.
• Analyze various attacks on computing and network environments.
• Analyze various post-attack techniques.
• Assess the organization's security posture through auditing, vulnerability management, and penetration testing.
• Collect cybersecurity intelligence from various network-based and host-based sources.
• Analyze log data to reveal evidence of threats and incidents.
• Perform active asset and network analysis to detect incidents.
• Respond to cybersecurity incidents using containment, mitigation, and recovery tactics.
• Investigate cybersecurity incidents using forensic analysis techniques.

Outline

Below is the course content, which includes a detailed outline of topics and materials covered in the course. Explore and enhance your knowledge!

Lesson 1: Assessing Cybersecurity Risk

• Topic A: Identify the Importance of Risk Management
• Topic B: Assess Risk
• Topic C: Mitigate Risk
• Topic D: Integrate Documentation into Risk Management

Lesson 2: Analyzing the Threat Landscape

• Topic A: Classify Threats
• Topic B: Analyze Trends Affecting Security Posture

Lesson 3: Analyzing Reconnaissance Threats to Computing and Network Environments

• Topic A: Implement Threat Modeling
• Topic B: Assess the Impact of Reconnaissance
• Topic C: Assess the Impact of Social Engineering

Lesson 4: Analyzing Attacks on Computing and Network Environments

• Topic A: Assess the Impact of System Hacking Attacks
• Topic B: Assess the Impact of Web-Based Attacks
• Topic C: Assess the Impact of Malware
• Topic D: Assess the Impact of Hijacking and Impersonation Attacks
• Topic E: Assess the Impact of DoS Incidents
• Topic F: Assess the Impact of Threats to Mobile Security
• Topic G: Assess the Impact of Threats to Cloud Security

Lesson 5: Analyzing Post-Attack Techniques

• Topic A: Assess Command and Control Techniques
• Topic B: Assess Persistence Techniques
• Topic C: Assess Lateral Movement and Pivoting Techniques
• Topic D: Assess Data Exfiltration Techniques
• Topic E: Assess Anti-Forensics Techniques

Lesson 6: Assessing the Organization's Security Posture

• Topic A: Implement Cybersecurity Auditing
• Topic B: Implement a Vulnerability Management Plan
• Topic C: Assess Vulnerabilities
• Topic D: Conduct Penetration Testing

Lesson 7: Collecting Cybersecurity Intelligence

• Topic A: Deploy a Security Intelligence Collection and Analysis Platform
• Topic B: Collect Data from Network-Based Intelligence Sources
• Topic C: Collect Data from Host-Based Intelligence Sources

Lesson 8: Analyzing Log Data

• Topic A: Use Common Tools to Analyze Logs
• Topic B: Use SIEM Tools for Analysis

Lesson 9: Performing Active Asset and Network Analysis

• Topic A: Analyze Incidents with Windows-Based Tools
• Topic B: Analyze Incidents with Linux-Based Tools
• Topic C: Analyze Indicators of Compromise

Lesson 10: Responding to Cybersecurity Incidents

• Topic A: Deploy an Incident Handling and Response Architecture
• Topic B: Mitigate Incidents
• Topic C: Hand Over Incident Information to a Forensic Investigation

Lesson 11: Investigating Cybersecurity Incidents

• Topic A: Apply a Forensic Investigation Plan
• Topic B: Securely Collect and Analyze Electronic Evidence
• Topic C: Follow Up on the Results of an Investigation

Pre-Requisite

• To ensure your success in this course, you should meet the following requirements:
• At least two years (recommended) of experience or education in computer network security technology or a related field.
• The ability or curiosity to recognize information security vulnerabilities and threats in the context of risk management.
• Foundational knowledge of the concepts and operational framework of common assurance safeguards in network environments. Safeguards include, but are not limited to, firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, and VPNs.
• General knowledge of the concepts and operational framework of common assurance safeguards in computing environments. Safeguards include, but are not limited to, basic authentication and authorization, resource permissions, and anti-malware mechanisms.
• Foundation-level skills with some of the common operating systems for computing environments.
• Entry-level understanding of some of the common concepts for network environments, such as routing and switching.
• General or practical knowledge of major TCP/IP networking protocols, including, but not limited to, TCP, IP, UDP, DNS, HTTP, ARP, ICMP, and DHCP.

Methodology

• Batch-wise training
• Practical hands-on training with real-time examples

By the end of this training, you will be fully equipped to take on cybersecurity incident response responsibilities with confidence. You’ve learned how to identify cyber threats, analyze and interpret security logs, respond to incidents, and conduct post-breach investigations—all while aligning with best practices and compliance frameworks.

This course also prepares you for the CertNexus CyberSec First Responder (CFR-410) certification, making you eligible for key roles like CSSP Analyst, Incident Responder, and Infrastructure Support under DoD 8570.01-M requirements.

Next steps? Deepen your expertise with our Advanced Threat Hunting, Penetration Testing Professional, or Digital Forensics and Malware Analysis courses to become a true cybersecurity leader.