ATT&CK® Security Operations Center

(SOC) Assessment Certification

Learn To Perform An Efficient, Thorough  SOC Assessment

Level: Intermediate

CPEs: 9 Hours  |  17 Lectures  |  Heatmap and Defensive Recommendation Walk-through 

MITRE’s own ATT&CK subject matter experts produced MAD20’s ATT&CK SOC Assessments course to familiarize learners with how to implement ATT&CK for visibility into where a SOC needs improvements, and inform how to apply ATT&CK to design a rapid, low overhead, and broad SOC Assessment. This training will:

  • Provide tips on how to analyze SOC technologies like tools and data sources
  • Share best practices for performing interviews and leading discussions on ATT&CK with SOC personnel
  • Educate on how to recommend changes based on assessment results
3-1

 

Course Prerequisites

  • Have a functional understanding of the ATT&CK Framework
  • Understand information security technology and security operations

Target Audience

Top job roles related to this credential include:
  • Cyber Security Manager
  • Cyber Strategy & Management Manager
  • Cyber Risk Management Engineer
  • Cyber Risk Manager
  • Cyber Risk Management - Intern

Course Goals

  • Enable learners to conduct Security Operations Center (SOC) assessments that are rapid, have low overhead, and are broad enough to help the SOC get on their feet with ATT&CK
  • Ensure mastery of analyzing SOC technologies
  • Teach learners to analyze assessment results and make recommendations

9-2

 

ATT&CK Security Operations Center (SOC) Assessment Certification is an intermediate level program that affirms your ability to conduct Security Operations Center (SOC) assessments that are rapid, have low overhead, and are broad enough to help the SOC get on their feet with ATT&CK. The certification affirms your mastery at analyzing SOC technologies, like tools and data sources, savviness at interviewing and discussing ATT&CK with SOC personnel and recommend improvements based on the assessments’ results.

You must earn five distinct badges to be eligible for the ATT&CK for SOC Assessment Certification.

MITRE ATT&CK Fundamentals
MITRE ATT&CK Fundamentals

ATT&CK Fundamentals

Start with the basics; unlearn bad behaviors and relearn ATT&CK the way MITRE intended. Learners will understand the structure and philosophy that continually shapes ATT&CK. This course helps Defenders identify the available ATT&CK resources and operational use cases while also recognizing how ATT&CK empowers defenders through understanding threats.
MITRE ATT&CK SOC Assessment Fundamentals
MITRE ATT&CK SOC Assessment Fundamentals

Fundamentals

Professionals must show their mastery of the foundational elements of ATT&CK-based SOC assessments to earn the SOC Fundamentals Badge. The focus is to validate an understanding of the types and tradeoffs of different assessment methodologies, including the general methodology of a hands-off ATT&CK-based SOC assessment; the ability to determine whether an ATT&CK-based SOC assessment is appropriate for a given SOC; and the ability to properly scope and communicate the value of an assessment for a given SOC.
MITRE ATT&CK SOC Assessment Analysis
MITRE ATT&CK SOC Assessment Analysis

Analysis

Teaches students to map common SOC components back to the ATT&CK framework; those who’ve passed the exam have shown themselves to be proficient in understanding SOC components as they relate to the framework. The focus is to validate: setting and customizing a coverage scheme for an assessment; evaluating different data sources, tools, and analytics that might be found in a SOC and assess how well each one covers the techniques in ATT&CK; and the ability to navigate from component to component within a SOC and running it against the ATT&CK framework.
MITRE ATT&CK SOC Assessment Synthesis
MITRE ATT&CK SOC Assessment Synthesis

Synthesis

Understand the big picture of assessments and how they should be composed and delivered. This course teaches learners to fuse together a holistic view of security operation coverage of ATT&CK, how to use current coverage and other SOC information to make prioritized recommendations, and the ability to aggregate heatmaps from different sources to paint a complete picture of SOC coverage. Learn to choose a heatmap scoring scheme best geared towards a specific audience and how to interview SOC personnel, understanding how that impacts coverage and recommendations.

Understanding the Basics of SOC Assessment

Understanding SOC Assessment: Enhancing Enterprise Security with MITRE ATT&CK Best Practices

 

Introduction: The Importance of SOC Assessment in Enterprise Cyber Security

In today’s rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape, organizations must maintain a vigilant and proactive approach to defending their digital assets. A well-functioning Security Operations Center (SOC) is critical for monitoring, detecting, and responding to cyber threats. However, to ensure that a SOC is operating at its full potential, regular assessments are necessary.

This section will explore what is SOC Assessment, the benefits of conducting these assessments, and how leveraging MITRE ATT&CK best practices can significantly enhance your organization’s security posture. Additionally, we’ll discuss how MAD20’s threat-informed defense training can equip your team with the skills needed to optimize your SOC.

 

What is SOC Assessment?

A SOC Assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of a Security Operations Center's capabilities, processes, and tools. The primary goal of this assessment is to ensure that the SOC is effectively configured to detect, respond to, and mitigate cyber threats. By conducting a SOC assessment, organizations can identify gaps in their security defenses, ensure proper tooling configuration, and improve the overall efficiency of their security operations.

 

Key Components of a SOC Assessment

  1. Tooling Configuration: Evaluating the configuration of security tools, such as SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) systems, intrusion detection systems, and firewalls, to ensure they are properly tuned and aligned with the organization’s security objectives.
  2. Coverage Mapping: Assessing the SOC's coverage of tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) as defined by the MITRE ATT&CK framework, ensuring that the SOC is equipped to detect and respond to a wide range of threats.
  3. Process Evaluation: Reviewing the processes and workflows within the SOC to ensure they are efficient, effective, and aligned with best practices.
  4. Skill Assessment: Evaluating the skills and knowledge of SOC analysts to ensure they are capable of identifying and responding to advanced threats.

 

The Benefits of SOC Assessment

Conducting a Security Operations Center Assessment offers numerous benefits that can significantly enhance your organization’s ability to defend against cyber threats.

  1. Enhanced Threat Detection

One of the primary benefits of a SOC assessment is improved threat detection. By evaluating the configuration of your security tools and mapping your coverage to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, you can ensure that your SOC is capable of detecting a wide range of adversary tactics and techniques. This reduces the likelihood of threats slipping through the cracks and causing harm to your organization.

  1. Optimized Tooling Configuration

A SOC assessment helps identify misconfigurations and gaps in your security tooling. By optimizing the configuration of these tools, you can ensure they are working effectively and efficiently, leading to faster threat detection and response times.

  1. Improved Incident Response

By evaluating your SOC’s processes and workflows, a SOC assessment can identify areas where improvements can be made. This leads to a more streamlined and effective incident response process, reducing the time it takes to detect, contain, and remediate security incidents.

  1. Increased Operational Efficiency

A well-conducted SOC assessment can help eliminate inefficiencies within your SOC, such as redundant processes or poorly configured tools. This results in a more efficient security operation, allowing your team to focus on high-priority tasks and respond to threats more effectively.

  1. Strengthened Security Posture

Ultimately, the goal of a SOC assessment is to strengthen your organization’s overall security posture. By identifying and addressing weaknesses within your SOC, you can ensure that your security operations are robust, resilient, and capable of defending against even the most sophisticated threats.

 

MITRE ATT&CK Best Practices for SOC Assessment

The MITRE ATT&CK framework is a globally recognized knowledge base that categorizes adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) based on real-world observations. Leveraging MITRE ATT&CK best practices during a SOC Assessment can help ensure that your SOC is well-equipped to detect and respond to advanced cyber threats.

  1. Coverage Mapping with MITRE ATT&CK

One of the most important aspects of a SOC assessment is Coverage Mapping—evaluating how well your SOC’s detection capabilities align with the TTPs outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework. This involves reviewing your SOC’s tooling and processes to ensure they cover a wide range of TTPs, from initial access to exfiltration.

Actionable Tip:

- Use the MITRE ATT&CK Navigator: The ATT&CK Navigator is a free tool provided by MITRE that allows you to map your organization’s detection capabilities against the ATT&CK framework. This helps identify coverage gaps and prioritize areas for improvement.

  1. Tooling Configuration Based on MITRE ATT&CK

Ensure that your SOC’s security tools are configured to detect the specific TTPs most relevant to your organization. This involves tuning your SIEM, intrusion detection systems, and other security tools to recognize the indicators of compromise (IOCs) associated with these TTPs.

Actionable Tip:

- Regularly Update Detection Rules: As new TTPs emerge, it’s important to regularly update your detection rules to ensure your SOC remains capable of detecting the latest threats. Consider integrating threat intelligence feeds that are mapped to MITRE ATT&CK to keep your detection capabilities current.

  1. Process and Workflow Alignment

Align your SOC’s processes and workflows with MITRE ATT&CK best practices. This includes ensuring that your incident response procedures are capable of addressing the full spectrum of TTPs and that your SOC analysts are trained to recognize and respond to these techniques.

Actionable Tip:

- Conduct Regular Tabletop Exercises: Simulate cyber attacks based on MITRE ATT&CK scenarios to test and refine your SOC’s processes and workflows. This helps ensure that your team is prepared to respond to real-world threats effectively.

  1. Continuous Skill Development

SOC analysts must possess a deep understanding of the MITRE ATT&CK framework and how it applies to their role. Continuous training and skill development are essential to maintaining a high level of expertise within your SOC.

Actionable Tip:

- Invest in Threat-Informed Defense Training: MAD20’s threat-informed defense training on MITRE ATT&CK provides hands-on experience with the TTPs outlined in the framework. This training ensures that your SOC analysts are well-equipped to detect and respond to advanced threats.

 

Recent Statistics on the Impact of SOC Assessments

Numerous studies have highlighted the positive impact of SOC assessments on enterprise security performance:

- According to a report by Gartner, organizations that conduct regular SOC assessments see a 50% improvement in their ability to detect and respond to cyber threats.

- A survey by SANS Institute found that 60% of organizations that align their SOC operations with MITRE ATT&CK best practices report a significant reduction in the time it takes to detect and contain security incidents.

- A study by Ponemon Institute revealed that organizations that invest in SOC assessments and continuous training see a 40% reduction in security incidents over a two-year period.

These statistics underscore the importance of regular Security Operations Center Assessments in maintaining a robust security posture.

 

Actionable Tips for Conducting a SOC Assessment

To effectively assess your SOC, consider the following actionable tips:

  1. Leverage External Expertise

Engage third-party experts who specialize in SOC assessments to provide an unbiased evaluation of your SOC’s capabilities. External assessors can offer valuable insights and identify areas for improvement that may not be apparent to internal teams.

  1. Conduct Regular Assessments

SOC assessments should not be a one-time event. Regular assessments, conducted at least annually, are essential to ensure that your SOC remains effective in the face of evolving threats.

  1. Incorporate Threat Intelligence

Use threat intelligence to inform your SOC assessment. Understanding the specific threats your organization faces allows you to tailor the assessment to focus on the most relevant TTPs.

  1. Develop a Remediation Plan

After completing a SOC assessment, it’s important to develop a remediation plan to address any identified gaps or weaknesses. This plan should include specific actions, timelines, and responsibilities to ensure that improvements are implemented effectively.

 

Conclusion: Enhance Your SOC with MAD20’s SOC Assessment Training

Understanding what is SOC Assessment and regularly evaluating your Security Operations Center is crucial to maintaining a strong defense against cyber threats. By aligning your SOC operations with MITRE ATT&CK best practices and continuously improving your detection and response capabilities, you can significantly enhance your organization’s security posture.

MAD20’s SOC Assessment training offers a comprehensive, hands-on approach to conducting effective SOC assessments. This training equips your team with the skills and knowledge needed to optimize your SOC and ensure it is operating at its full potential.

Don’t wait for a cyber attack to expose weaknesses in your security operations—empower your SOC team with the tools and knowledge to defend against today’s most sophisticated threats. Explore MAD20’s SOC Assessment course today and take the first step toward a more resilient Security Operations Center.