Threat Hunting, Malware Analysis & Digital Forensics

In the evolving cyber threat landscape, traditional security monitoring is no longer enough. Organizations need proactive defense mechanisms that detect, analyze, and neutralize threats before they cause damage. This 5-day enterprise training program provides cybersecurity professionals with hands-on expertise in threat hunting, malware analysis, and digital forensics. Participants will learn how to identify Indicators of Compromise (IOCs), investigate malware infections, and perform forensic analysis using modern tools and frameworks. The program blends real-world case studies, advanced analytics techniques, and hands-on labs to prepare professionals to operate in Security Operations Centers (SOC) and incident response teams effectively.

Objectives of the Training

Understand the methodologies and frameworks for proactive threat hunting.
Learn to analyze malware behavior, propagation, and mitigation strategies.
Gain expertise in digital forensic techniques for data recovery and evidence preservation.
Use tools such as ELK Stack, Splunk, Wireshark, IDA Pro, and Volatility for analysis.
Conduct post-incident investigations to trace attack vectors and remediate vulnerabilities.
Build capabilities for SOC operations, log analysis, and cyber threat intelligence integration.

Prerequisites

Basic understanding of operating systems, networking, and cybersecurity fundamentals.
Familiarity with command-line tools (Linux/Windows PowerShell).
Prior exposure to incident response or SOC operations is helpful but not required.

What You Will Learn

Threat hunting methodologies and frameworks (MITRE ATT&CK, Diamond Model).
Malware analysis techniques — static, dynamic, and behavioral analysis.
Digital forensic investigation process and evidence handling best practices.
Endpoint and memory forensics using Volatility and Autopsy.
Building detection rules and threat intelligence feeds.
Automation of threat detection using SIEM, SOAR, and scripting tools.

Target Audience

This training program is ideal for SOC Analysts, Incident Responders, Malware Researchers, Cyber Threat Intelligence Analysts, and Security Engineers. It is also beneficial for IT Managers and Security Leaders aiming to build proactive cyber defense capabilities within their organizations.

Detailed 5-Day Curriculum

Day 1 – Threat Hunting Fundamentals and Frameworks (6 Hours)

Session 1: Introduction to Threat Hunting – Reactive vs. Proactive Defense.
Session 2: Threat Hunting Methodologies – Hypothesis-Driven and Intelligence-Led Approaches.
Session 3: Using MITRE ATT&CK and Cyber Kill Chain Frameworks for Threat Mapping.
Hands-on: Setting up a Threat Hunting Lab using ELK Stack and Splunk.

Day 2 – Cyber Threat Intelligence and Detection Techniques (6 Hours)

Session 1: Understanding Threat Intelligence – Sources, Feeds, and Automation.
Session 2: IOC (Indicators of Compromise) and IOA (Indicators of Attack) Analysis.
Session 3: Behavioral Analytics and Anomaly Detection in Enterprise Networks.
Workshop: Hunting for Insider Threats and Lateral Movement using SIEM Queries.

Day 3 – Malware Analysis & Reverse Engineering (6 Hours)

Session 1: Malware Lifecycle – Infection Vectors, Payloads, and Persistence Mechanisms.
Session 2: Static and Dynamic Malware Analysis using Tools like IDA Pro, PEiD, and Process Monitor.
Session 3: Behavioral Analysis – Understanding Command & Control (C2) Communication.
Hands-on: Analyzing a Simulated Malware Sample in a Controlled Sandbox Environment.

Day 4 – Digital Forensics and Incident Response (6 Hours)

Session 1: Fundamentals of Digital Forensics – Evidence Collection, Chain of Custody, and Data Acquisition.
Session 2: Memory and Disk Forensics – Volatility Framework, Autopsy, and FTK Imager.
Session 3: Timeline Analysis and File System Investigation.
Workshop: Performing Forensic Analysis on a Compromised Windows System.

Day 5 – Advanced Threat Simulation and Capstone Project (6 Hours)

Session 1: Threat Simulation – Red vs. Blue Team Scenarios and Adversary Emulation.
Session 2: Developing Detection Rules and Response Playbooks (YARA, Sigma).
Session 3: Capstone Project – Investigating and Reporting a Simulated Cyber Attack.
Panel Discussion: Future of Threat Hunting – AI, Automation, and Predictive Security.

Capstone Project

Participants will conduct a complete incident investigation of a simulated cyberattack. The project will involve identifying compromise indicators, analyzing malware behavior, recovering forensic evidence, and developing an incident response report. This project enables participants to apply their skills to real-world scenarios, strengthening their threat hunting and forensic capabilities.

Future Trends in Threat Hunting and Forensics

Cyber defense is transitioning from reactive response to predictive prevention. AI and machine learning are increasingly being integrated into SOC operations to automate detection and triage. Future developments include AI-assisted malware classification, blockchain-based evidence integrity, and real-time forensics across hybrid environments. Organizations that integrate automated threat intelligence and continuous hunting strategies will stay resilient against sophisticated and persistent cyber threats.