Defensive Security Handbook

Despite the increase of high-profile hacks, record-breaking data leaks, and ransomware attacks, many organizations don’t have the budget for an information security (InfoSec) program. If you’re forced to protect yourself by improvising on the job, this pragmatic guide provides a security-101 handbook with steps, tools, processes, and ideas to help you drive maximum-security improvement at little or no cost.

Each chapter in this book provides step-by-step instructions for dealing with issues such as breaches and disasters, compliance, network infrastructure, password management, vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, and more. Network engineers, system administrators, and security professionals will learn how to use frameworks, tools, and techniques to build and improve their cybersecurity programs.

This book will help you:

• Plan and design incident response, disaster recovery, compliance, and physical security
• Learn and apply basic penetration testing concepts through purple teaming
• Conduct vulnerability management using automated processes and tools
• Use IDS, IPS, SOC, logging, and monitoring
• Bolster Microsoft and Unix systems, network infrastructure, and password management
• Use segmentation practices and designs to compartmentalize your network
• Reduce exploitable errors by developing code securely

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Creating a Security Program

Chapter 2. Asset Management and Documentation

Chapter 3. Policies

Chapter 4. Standards and Procedures

Chapter 5. User Education

Chapter 6. Incident Response

Chapter 7. Disaster Recovery

Chapter 8. Industry Compliance Standards and Frameworks

Chapter 9. Physical Security

Chapter 10. Microsoft Windows Infrastructure

Chapter 11. Unix Application Servers

Chapter 12. Endpoints

Chapter 13. Databases

Chapter 14. Cloud Infrastructure

Chapter 15. Authentication

Chapter 16. Secure Network Infrastructure

Chapter 17. Segmentation

Chapter 18. Vulnerability Management

Chapter 19. Development

Chapter 20. OSINT and Purple Teaming

Chapter 21. Understanding IDSs and IPSs

Chapter 22. Logging and Monitoring

Chapter 23. The Extra Mile

Appendix. User Education Templates

About the Authors

Amanda Berlin is a highly accomplished network defender and public speaker. She is a principal detection and product manager for Blumira, leading an R&D team dedicated to lowering time to detection and improving the overall security landscape. She has spent over a decade in different areas of technology and sectors providing infrastructure support, triage, and design. Amanda has been involved in implementing a secure PCI process and HIPAA compliance as well as building a comprehensive phishing and awards-based user education program. Amanda serves as the founder and CEO of Mental Health Hackers, a nonprofit dedicated to providing education and guidance to tech workers around mental health topics. Amanda is also the co-host of the “Brakeing Down Security” podcast. On X, she’s @InfoSystir.

Lee Brotherston is the founding security engineer at OpsHelm. Having spent more than a decade in Information Security, Lee has worked as an Internal Security resource across many verticals including Finance, Telecommunications, Hospitality, Entertainment, and Government in roles ranging from Engineer to IT Security Manager.

William F. Reyor III, based in Connecticut, is a seasoned threat researcher and director of security at Modus Create. He has a wealth of experience across various technology sectors, providing critical cybersecurity support and innovative solutions. His notable career trajectory includes key roles at prominent organizations (such as The Walt Disney Company and Raytheon Technologies) and Chief Information Security Officer at Fairfield University. His work primarily revolves around investigating threat actor activities, developing automated threat detections, and streamlining incident responses. Additionally, William has made significant contributions to the cybersecurity community as one of the lead organizers for Security BSides Connecticut since 2011.