Microsoft Unified XDR and SIEM Solutions

Foundational Concepts of XDR and SIEM

Understanding Modern Security Operations

• Differentiating between Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), Extended Detection and Response (XDR), and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solutions.
• Analyzing the evolution of threat detection and response, from traditional antivirus to AI-driven insights and automated remediation.
• Grasping the core value proposition of a unified security approach, moving beyond siloed tools to interconnected platforms.

Core Principles of Microsoft's Security Ecosystem

• Exploring the architecture of Microsoft's security offerings, including Azure Active Directory, Microsoft 365 Defender components, and Azure Sentinel.
• Understanding the concept of shared intelligence, where signals from various Microsoft services contribute to a broader threat landscape view.
• Identifying the roles of identity, endpoint, application, and data protection within a unified security strategy.

Mastering Microsoft Defender XDR Components

Endpoint Protection with Defender for Endpoint

• Implementing and configuring advanced threat protection capabilities for endpoints, including next-generation protection, attack surface reduction, and behavioral monitoring.
• Utilizing advanced hunting queries with Kusto Query Language (KQL) to proactively search for threats across endpoint telemetry.
• Performing detailed investigations of security incidents, including device isolation, file quarantine, and deep analysis of process trees and network connections.
• Managing device groups, automated investigation and remediation settings, and custom detection rules.

Identity Protection with Defender for Identity and Azure AD Identity Protection

• Deploying and configuring Microsoft Defender for Identity sensors to monitor domain controllers for suspicious activities and lateral movement.
• Interpreting security alerts generated by Defender for Identity, such as reconnaissance activities, golden ticket attacks, and unusual protocol usage.
• Leveraging Azure AD Identity Protection policies for risk-based conditional access, multi-factor authentication enforcement, and detecting compromised user accounts.
• Understanding the integration between Defender for Identity, Azure AD Identity Protection, and Defender for Cloud Apps for comprehensive identity threat detection.

Cloud Application Security with Defender for Cloud Apps

• Configuring Cloud App Security policies to detect anomalous behavior, protect sensitive data, and enforce compliance across cloud applications.
• Utilizing Cloud Discovery to identify shadow IT, assess cloud app risk, and apply controls.
• Implementing session policies and access policies for real-time monitoring and control over user activity in sanctioned cloud applications.
• Investigating incidents and alerts related to data exfiltration, unauthorized access, and insider threats within cloud environments.

Email and Collaboration Security with Defender for Office 365

• Implementing advanced threat protection policies for email, including anti-phishing, anti-malware, and safe attachments/links.
• Utilizing Threat Explorer to investigate email-borne threats, identify attack origins, and understand propagation paths.
• Configuring and managing attack simulation training to test and improve organizational resilience against phishing and other social engineering tactics.
• Understanding the integration of Defender for Office 365 signals into the unified XDR portal for a holistic view of email-related incidents.

Implementing and Managing Microsoft Sentinel SIEM

Data Ingestion and Connectivity

• Connecting various data sources to Microsoft Sentinel, including Azure Activity Logs, Azure AD Audit Logs, Office 365 logs, and security solutions like Defender XDR components.
• Implementing custom data connectors for non-standard log sources using Azure Logic Apps or custom parsers.
• Managing data ingestion costs and optimizing log retention policies within Azure Log Analytics workspaces.
• Configuring Syslog and CEF forwarders for ingesting data from Linux servers, network devices, and other security appliances.

Threat Detection and Analytics Rule Management

• Developing and deploying custom analytics rules using Kusto Query Language (KQL) to detect specific threats and anomalies.
• Utilizing built-in Sentinel templates for common threat scenarios and adapting them to specific organizational requirements.
• Implementing Fusion rules for multi-stage attack detection and prioritizing high-fidelity alerts.
• Managing incident generation, alert suppression, and fine-tuning rules to reduce false positives.

Incident Management and Investigation

• Understanding the incident lifecycle within Microsoft Sentinel, from creation to resolution.
• Utilizing the Incident Queue to triage, assign, and manage security incidents effectively.
• Performing in-depth incident investigations using the investigation graph to visualize related entities, alerts, and events.
• Leveraging entity behavior analytics (UEBA) within Sentinel to identify anomalous user and entity activity patterns.

Advanced Threat Detection with KQL

Kusto Query Language (KQL) Mastery for Security Operations

• Developing complex KQL queries for advanced hunting across Defender XDR data and Log Analytics workspaces in Sentinel.
• Utilizing advanced KQL operators such as `join`, `union`, `summarize`, `bag_unpack`, `mv-expand`, and `parse` for intricate data analysis.
• Creating custom functions and parameterized queries for reusable detection logic and efficient data exploration.
• Optimizing KQL queries for performance and efficiency when dealing with large datasets.

Proactive Threat Hunting Techniques

• Applying threat intelligence feeds to develop targeted hunting queries for known indicators of compromise (IOCs).
• Implementing behavioral anomaly detection using KQL to identify novel threats not covered by standard signatures.
• Developing a structured methodology for iterative threat hunting, starting from hypotheses to confirmed detections.
• Creating custom detections and alerting mechanisms based on validated hunting queries within both Defender XDR and Sentinel.

Automation, Orchestration, and Response

Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR)

• Designing and implementing automated response playbooks using Azure Logic Apps within Microsoft Sentinel.
• Integrating playbooks with various security tools and services, including Defender XDR components, Azure AD, and external systems.
• Automating common security tasks such as isolating compromised devices, blocking malicious IPs, disabling user accounts, and enriching incident data.
• Managing playbook permissions, triggers, and error handling for robust automation.

Incident Response Automation

• Developing automated response actions triggered by specific alerts or incidents in Defender XDR and Sentinel.
• Creating automated workflows for data collection, forensic imaging, and evidence preservation.
• Implementing processes for automated threat containment and remediation at scale.
• Measuring the effectiveness of SOAR playbooks in reducing mean time to detect (MTTD) and mean time to respond (MTTR).

Integration and Unified Operations

Seamless Integration between Defender XDR and Sentinel

• Configuring the bidirectional synchronization of incidents and alerts between Microsoft Defender XDR and Microsoft Sentinel.
• Understanding how unified incidents in Defender XDR flow into Sentinel, preserving context and correlation.
• Leveraging the Sentinel incident view to drill down into original Defender XDR alerts and investigations.
• Orchestrating response actions from Sentinel that propagate back to Defender XDR components.

Centralized Security Monitoring and Reporting

• Building custom dashboards and workbooks in Sentinel to visualize key security metrics, threat trends, and operational status.
• Generating comprehensive security reports for compliance, audit, and executive stakeholders using Sentinel's reporting capabilities.
• Utilizing entity pages in Sentinel for a 360-degree view of user, device, and host activities across all integrated data sources.

Data Governance, Compliance, and Best Practices

Security Posture Management and Compliance

• Utilizing Microsoft Defender for Cloud's Secure Score and recommendations to continuously improve the security posture of Azure and hybrid cloud environments.
• Mapping security controls and detections to industry frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK, NIST, and ISO 27001.
• Implementing data governance strategies for log retention, access control, and data privacy within Log Analytics workspaces.

Operational Best Practices for SOC Teams

• Developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for incident triage, investigation, and response using unified Microsoft solutions.
• Establishing clear roles and responsibilities within a Security Operations Center (SOC) utilizing XDR and SIEM tools.
• Implementing change management processes for analytics rules, playbooks, and security policies to maintain operational integrity.
• Continuously refining detection logic and response mechanisms based on threat intelligence and lessons learned from past incidents.