Host-Based Network Forensics (HBNF)

The Host-Based Network Forensics (HBNF) course offered by Spyder Forensics is an intensive 5-day training program designed for experienced examiners in digital forensics. Geared towards individuals familiar with digital forensic principles, this course aims to expand their expertise in advanced network exploitation forensics using host-based artifacts from systems victimized by attacks, including ransomware incidents.

Throughout the training, participants will gain unbiased knowledge and essential skills for analyzing artifacts resulting from network intrusion activities, with a strong emphasis on ransomware detection and response. The curriculum involves the use of standard techniques and open-source approaches to delve deeper into data exploration. By understanding how applications function and store data during network intrusions, attendees will acquire the expertise needed to navigate forensic challenges.

The course covers the identification, processing, understanding, and documentation of crucial forensic artifacts related to network intrusion investigations, including ransomware attack lifecycles. Participants will learn to apply various methodologies and utilities effectively. This includes investigating network intrusions through host-based evidence, capturing and analyzing network traffic artifacts on hosts, triaging live systems, and examining memory captures to pinpoint potential malware and threat artifacts linked to network activity. The curriculum also encompasses the analysis of Windows network-related artifacts to uncover additional information relevant to network intrusion investigations, such as persistence mechanisms.

Emphasizing hands-on learning, students will engage in extensive labs and exercises, including ransomware-focused scenarios and a capstone investigation. By the end of the course, attendees will have acquired comprehensive skills and knowledge to conduct advanced host-based network forensic analyses, reconstruct attack timelines, and effectively document findings for real-world applications.

Experienced digital forensic examiners who investigate network intrusions and ransomware incidents.

• Develop incident response plans and methodologies for investigating network intrusions using host-based network evidence.
• Recognize and analyze ransomware attack patterns and lifecycles within host-based artifacts.
• Construct intrusion timelines by correlating host-based network data and logs.
• Understand network components and concepts that impact host-based forensics, including malicious activity identification.
• Capture and analyze host-based network traffic artifacts to detect data exfiltration and command-and-control activity.
• Reconstruct network sessions and recover ransomware-related files using host-based evidence.
• Capture volatile memory from hosts and identify network and ransomware artifacts through memory analysis.
• Analyze Windows host-based network artifacts, including event logs and registry entries, for ransomware persistence and indicators.

This course is designed for experienced examiners who are familiar with digital forensic principles.