Ops 401: Class 26

This topic matters as it relates to what I'm studying in this module because PowerShell, being an integral part of the Windows environment and having deep system access, can be used by malicious actors to evade traditional security defenses and execute commands that can compromise a system.

• As a Cyber Threat Analyst, my role involves investigating cyber threats to protect digital assets. This involves tracking and analyzing cyber attacks, understanding the techniques of cybercriminals, and developing strategies to prevent these attacks.

• PowerShell becomes an effective attack vector because it's a legitimate tool widely used in system administration. Its deep integration with Windows and its ability to interact with the .NET framework provides extensive access to a system. This means attackers can use PowerShell to deliver fileless malware that can evade traditional security measures, as it resides in memory and doesn't leave the usual traces for detection.

• To mitigate attacks via PowerShell, one strategy is to activate PowerShell's logging features. This includes module logging which records the execution of different modules, script block logging which generates logs when script blocks are invoked, and transcription which records input and output from a PowerShell session. These logs can be analyzed to understand and track malicious activities.

• Another strategy is to use software like Trend Micro's Deep Security which offers a Log Inspection protection module. This tool can collect and analyze operating system and application logs from various hosts and applications. It allows for correlation between these logs to help identify issues. This helps prioritize events according to their severity and identifies the most unusual or suspicious activities for further analysis.

Things I want to know more about are Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), Security hardening techniques for PowerShell, Incident response and forensic analysis involving PowerShell, and Blue Team Tactics.

References

Pereira, A. J. (2020, June 05). Tracking, Detecting, and Thwarting PowerShell-based Malware and Attacks. TrendMicro. Trend

Roy, R. (2021, August 05). Cyber Threat Analyst: Key Job Skills and Expected Salary. Spiceworks. Spiceworks: Cyber Threat Analyst