Tutorial / Cram Notes
In the context of the SC-200 Microsoft Security Operations Analyst exam, candidates are expected to have a firm understanding of how to perform threat hunting within Microsoft security solutions, such as Microsoft 365 Defender and Azure Defender.
Understanding the Threat Hunting Process
Threat hunting involves a cycle of hypothesis generation, investigation, analysis, and iteration. Security analysts start with a hypothesis about a potential threat based on indicators of compromise (IOCs), indicators of attack (IOAs), anomalous behaviors, or intelligence reports.
Developing a Hypothesis
A hypothesis might be derived from a variety of sources:
- Recent security alerts
- Intelligence reports (e.g., about new malware or attack techniques)
- Unusual outbound network traffic
- Anomalies in user behavior
- Unexpected changes in system configurations
Investigation Phase
Using the Microsoft 365 Defender Portal, analysts can pivot from alerts to relevant data points and entities, enabling them to investigate the scope and impact of a potential threat.
- Examine user activities: Analysts use User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) to detect anomalous behavior patterns.
- Analyze device actions: Through Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) capabilities, analysts can review device event logs and actions.
- Review email and collaboration: Analysts scrutinize email and collaboration tools for potential phishing attempts, malicious links, or data exfiltration.
Analysis and Iteration
Once data is gathered, analysts use it to validate or refute their hypotheses. If a threat is validated, they may take immediate remediation actions. The process is iterative; new data or insights often lead to additional hypotheses.
Responding to Findings
After identifying a genuine threat, the following responses might be executed:
- Isolation of affected systems
- Removal of malicious files or processes
- Reversal of changes made by the threat actor
- Strengthening of security policies and controls
Threat Hunting Example & Microsoft Tools
Consider a hypothesis that an attacker may be using credential dumping techniques on the network. An analyst could use Microsoft Defender for Endpoint to query endpoint data for signs of tools like Mimikatz or anomalous credential access patterns. They would look at events such as LSASS process memory access or unusual service installations.
Leveraging Threat Intelligence
Microsoft solutions allow integration with threat intelligence feeds, which enrich the threat hunting process. Analysts use these feeds to identify IOCs and IOAs associated with known threat actors and campaigns.
Automation and Proactive Hunting
The SC-200 exam also covers automating threat hunting processes through customized detection rules and using the Advanced Hunting feature in Microsoft 365 Defender. Analysts can create queries that proactively hunt for threats and trigger alerts for further investigation. These queries can be based on a combination of behavioral analytics and known attack patterns.
For clarity, here’s a simple comparison of traditional reactive security versus proactive threat hunting:
| Aspect | Reactive Security | Proactive Threat Hunting |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Waits for alerts to trigger | Actively searches for threats |
| Method | Relies on signature-based detection | Utilizes IOCs, IOAs, and behavioral analytics |
| Timing | Responds post-incident | Preemptive, before full breach occurs |
| Tools | Firewalls, Antivirus, SIEM alerts | EDR, UEBA, Advanced Hunting queries |
| End Goal | Remediate after damage has occurred | Find and remediate threats early |
Finally, reporting and communication play a crucial role in threat hunting. Documenting findings, actions taken, and lessons learned from each hunt is essential for improving future security posture. Microsoft security solutions include powerful reporting features that analysts can use to communicate their findings.
In preparation for the SC-200 exam, candidates must practice these skills and understand the tools provided by Microsoft for threat hunting. This entails hands-on experience with the platforms, familiarity with the advanced hunting query language (Kusto Query Language – KQL), and knowing how to leverage Microsoft’s security stack to perform efficient and effective threat hunting.
Practice Test with Explanation
True or False: Threat hunting should only be conducted when there is a known incident or breach.
- Answer: False
Threat hunting is a proactive approach to search for cyber threats that are lurking undetected in a network. It is not solely triggered by a known incident or breach, but rather it is a continuous process.
Which of the following is NOT a typical source of data for threat hunting?
- A) Endpoint detection and response (EDR) systems
- B) Security information and event management (SIEM)
- C) Publicly available threat intelligence
- D) Marketing analytics data
Answer: D) Marketing analytics data
Marketing analytics data is not usually used in threat hunting. Threat hunters typically utilize data from EDR systems, SIEM, and threat intelligence to identify malicious activities.
True or False: Automated security solutions can replace the need for human threat hunters.
- Answer: False
Although automated solutions are essential for rapid detection and response, human threat hunters play a critical role in identifying complex threats that evade automated tools.
Which of the following is a key characteristic of threat hunting?
- A) Reactive
- B) Automated
- C) Hypothesis-driven
- D) Dependent on specific alerts
Answer: C) Hypothesis-driven
Threat hunting is hypothesis-driven, relying on the proactive exploration of data based on known behaviors or indicators of compromise to identify potential threats.
True or False: Threat hunting activities should always be unplanned and sporadic.
- Answer: False
Effective threat hunting is structured and methodical, often following a plan or framework to ensure comprehensive coverage and consistency.
When performing threat hunting, which of the following should be considered?
- A) Current threat landscape
- B) Company’s business context
- C) Available resources and expertise
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
A successful threat hunting program considers the current threat landscape, the specific business context of the company, and the available resources and expertise.
True or False: Threat hunting typically involves deep inspection of packet captures.
- Answer: True
Threat hunting can involve the deep inspection of packet captures to analyze network activity and identify potential threats or anomalies.
How often should threat hunting be performed?
- A) Only after an incident
- B) At regular intervals
- C) Continuously
- D) B and C are both correct
Answer: D) B and C are both correct
Threat hunting can be performed at regular intervals or can be a continuous process, depending on the organization’s capabilities and the threat environment.
True or False: Threat hunting is solely focused on identifying active compromises.
- Answer: False
While identifying active compromises is a crucial aspect, threat hunting also aims to uncover vulnerabilities and risky behaviors that could be exploited in the future.
During threat hunting, which of the following is critical to effectively identify threats?
- A) Fast computation
- B) Thorough documentation
- C) Access to the latest technology
- D) Insight into adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs)
Answer: D) Insight into adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs)
Understanding adversary TTPs is essential in threat hunting to anticipate and uncover methods attackers might use to breach systems.
True or False: Threat hunting is an iterative process.
- Answer: True
Threat hunting is an iterative process where the results of one hunt can lead to new hypotheses and subsequent hunts, with the aim of continuously improving security posture.
Which of the following stakeholders should be informed about the findings from threat hunting activities?
- A) Security Operations Center (SOC) team
- B) Executive management
- C) IT department
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Findings from threat hunting activities are relevant to various stakeholders, including the SOC team, executive management, and the IT department, all of whom may play a role in decision-making and remediation efforts.
Interview Questions
What is threat hunting?
Threat hunting is the practice of proactively searching for threats and identifying and remediating them before they cause harm.
How does Microsoft Defender for Endpoint help with threat hunting?
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint provides a powerful toolset for threat hunting, including Advanced Hunting, which allows you to query your data to identify threats and remediate them.
What is ransomware?
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s files and demands payment in exchange for the decryption key.
How can Advanced Hunting be used to find ransomware?
You can use Advanced Hunting to query your data for indicators of ransomware, such as file extensions commonly associated with ransomware, and investigate any suspicious activity.
What is the benefit of using Advanced Hunting to find ransomware?
By proactively searching for ransomware, you can identify and remediate it before it causes harm to your organization.
How can Advanced Hunting be used to query emails and devices?
You can use Advanced Hunting to query your email and device data for suspicious activity, such as emails with malicious attachments or devices with outdated software.
What is the benefit of using Advanced Hunting to query emails and devices?
By proactively searching for suspicious activity in emails and devices, you can identify and remediate potential threats before they cause harm to your organization.
What is an example of a query that can be used in Advanced Hunting to find ransomware?
DeviceEvents | where ActionType == “RansomwareDetection” | project Timestamp, DeviceName, DeviceId, UserDisplayName, FilePath
What is an example of a query that can be used in Advanced Hunting to query emails?
EmailEvents | where AttachmentFileName endswith “.exe” or AttachmentFileName endswith “.dll” or AttachmentFileName endswith “.pif” or AttachmentFileName endswith “.vbs” | project TimeGenerated, Subject, SenderFromAddress, RecipientToAddress, AttachmentFileName, AttachmentType
How can Advanced Hunting be used to identify new and emerging threats?
By proactively searching for suspicious activity and using data analysis tools, such as machine learning and behavioral analytics, you can identify new and emerging threats that may not yet have established signatures or known indicators.
Performing threat hunting can really enhance a security team’s ability to identify and mitigate potential threats. Any tips on where to start for SC-200?
I found the section on using Azure Sentinel for threat hunting particularly useful for the SC-200 exam.
Does the exam require practical knowledge in configuring automated threat responses?
Appreciate the blog post!
Can someone explain the difference between threat hunting and threat detection in the context of SC-200?
KQL syntax can be tricky. Any advice on mastering it for the exam?
Threat intelligence integration is a bit confusing. How important is it for the SC-200?
How often should a security team engage in threat hunting activities?