Description

This curriculum spans the full incident lifecycle from detection to prevention, reflecting the structured workflows of a multi-phase security operations engagement within a mature enterprise SOC.

Module 1: Incident Triage and Malware Classification

Determine whether an alert represents a true malware infection or a false positive by analyzing process behavior, file reputation, and EDR telemetry.
Classify malware type (e.g., ransomware, spyware, trojan, rootkit) based on observed artifacts such as registry modifications, network connections, and file encryption patterns.
Assess infection scope by identifying whether the threat is isolated to a single endpoint or propagating across the network via lateral movement indicators.
Decide whether to escalate to incident response or resolve at the help desk level based on data exfiltration signs, domain admin compromise, or encrypted file volume.
Document initial findings using standardized incident forms that include timestamps, user-reported symptoms, and initial containment actions taken.
Preserve volatile data (e.g., running processes, open ports, logged-in users) before initiating removal to support forensic review if required.

Module 2: Endpoint Isolation and Network Containment

Disconnect infected devices from the network by disabling Wi-Fi, unplugging Ethernet, or using NAC policies to block port access.
Disable remote access tools (e.g., RDP, TeamViewer) on compromised systems to prevent attacker persistence or data exfiltration.
Implement VLAN quarantine for infected endpoints to restrict lateral movement while maintaining limited connectivity for remediation.
Coordinate with network operations to block malicious IPs or domains at the firewall or DNS layer based on IoCs extracted from the endpoint.
Evaluate the risk of disrupting business operations when isolating critical systems and document justification for containment decisions.
Monitor network logs for beaconing behavior to confirm ongoing C2 communication and adjust blocking rules accordingly.

Module 4: Malware Removal Using Integrated Security Tools

Initiate on-demand scans using centrally managed EDR or AV platforms with high-sensitivity settings to detect stealthy payloads.
Review scan logs to differentiate between quarantined files, deleted items, and items requiring manual intervention.
Use endpoint console tools to kill malicious processes, delete scheduled tasks, and remove startup entries identified during analysis.
Apply vendor-specific removal scripts for known malware families (e.g., Emotet, Qakbot) when generic scans fail to eliminate all components.
Validate removal success by verifying that malicious services are not restarting and network connections to known bad IPs have ceased.
Update antivirus definitions and EDR policies post-removal to prevent reinfection from the same malware variant.

Module 5: Manual Remediation and Registry Integrity

Access Safe Mode or WinRE to remove malware components that resist termination in normal operating conditions.
Inspect and clean malicious registry keys in Run, RunOnce, Winlogon, and Service entries using regedit or command-line tools.
Compare current system state with known-good baselines to identify unauthorized modifications to file associations or browser settings.
Replace or repair system files corrupted by malware using sfc /scannow or dism commands after confirming source integrity.
Remove hidden or obfuscated files in system directories (e.g., AppData, Temp, System32) by enabling hidden file visibility and using elevated command prompts.
Document all manual changes made to the registry or file system for audit and rollback purposes in case of system instability.

Module 6: Post-Remediation Validation and System Restoration

Perform behavioral validation by monitoring CPU, disk, and network usage for abnormal activity over a 24-hour observation window.
Re-scan the system using a secondary antivirus tool or offline scanner to detect residual threats missed by primary defenses.
Restore user data from clean backups only after confirming the backup image predates the infection timeline.
Re-enable network access incrementally and monitor for recurrence of malicious traffic before returning to full operation.
Reset local and domain passwords for the affected user account and any privileged accounts used on the system.
Reinstall or patch applications exploited during the initial compromise (e.g., outdated Java, Office macros) to close attack vectors.

Module 7: User Communication and Service Documentation

Deliver technical findings to end users in non-technical terms, explaining what occurred and what actions were taken without causing undue alarm.
Document the root cause of infection (e.g., phishing email, drive-by download) in the ticket for trending and awareness training alignment.
Log all actions taken in the incident management system with timestamps, tools used, and outcomes for compliance and audit review.
Coordinate with security awareness teams to flag repeat offenders for targeted training based on repeated malware incidents.
Update internal knowledge base articles with new malware indicators, removal steps, and detection methods for team reference.
Escalate systemic issues (e.g., unpatched software, lack of application control) to IT management for policy or infrastructure changes.

Module 8: Prevention Strategy Integration and Feedback Loops

Recommend application allow-listing policies for high-risk departments based on recurring malware delivery methods.
Propose email filtering rule updates to block attachment types (e.g., .js, .scr) commonly used in recent infections.
Advocate for macro disable policies in Office suites and user notification banners for documents from external sources.
Provide telemetry to SOC teams on new IoCs, such as file hashes, domains, and registry paths, for SIEM rule development.
Participate in post-incident reviews to align help desk actions with broader incident response playbooks.
Track recurrence rates by malware family to assess the effectiveness of current endpoint protection controls and configurations.