TN-963: Windows Security Automation with PowerShell

Course Overview:

PowerShell is made for Security Operations (SecOps) automation on Windows. SecOps requires automation in order to scale out security changes and monitoring beyond a handful of hosts. For example, when a vulnerability must be remediated but there is no patch for it yet, automation is needed to quickly and consistently enact the changes necessary. PowerShell “remoting” is encrypted remote command execution of PowerShell scripts in a way that can scale to thousands of endpoints and servers.

Imagine being able to hunt for indicators of compromise across thousands of machines with just a few lines of PowerShell code. Or imagine having the local Administrator account password reset every night on thousands of endpoints in a secure way, and being able to retrieve that password securely too.

We will show you to do these tasks and more. Transcription logging for forensics, strong encryption code signing, application whitelisting of scripts, IPSec port control, and Just Enough Admin (JEA).

As more and more of our systems are moved up to the cloud, PowerShell will become even more important. Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Office 365, Hyper-V and VMware already support PowerShell administration for many tasks.

Attendees to TN-963: Windows Security Automation with PowerShell will receive TechNow approved course materials and expert instruction.

Date/Locations:

No Events

Duration: 3 days

Course Objectives:

Day One
PowerShell Overview and Tips

    • Getting started running commands
    • Using and updating the built-in help
    • Execution policies
    • Fun tricks with the ISE graphical editor
    • Piping .NET and COM objects, not text
    • Using properties and methods of objects
    • Helping Linux admins feel more at home
    • Aliases, cmdlets, functions, modules, etc.
    • Customizing your profile script

What Can We Do With PowerShell

    • PowerShell remote command execution
    • Fan-out remoting and security
    • File copy via PowerShell remoting
    • Capturing the output of commands
    • Parsing text files and logs with regex patterns
    • Searching remote event logs faster with XPath
    • Mounting the registry as a drive
    • Exporting data to CSV, HTML and JSON files
    • Parsing and mining nmap port scanner XML output
    • Running scripts as scheduled jobs
    • Pushing out scripts through Group Policy
    • Importing modules and dot-sourcing functions
    • http://www.PowerShellGallery.com

Write your own scripts

    • Writing your own functions
    • Passing arguments into your scripts
    • Function parameters and returning output
    • Flow control: if-then, do-while, foreach, switch
    • The .NET Framework class library: a playground
    • How to pipe data in/out of your scripts

Day Two
Continuous Secure Configuration Enforcement

    • How to use Group Policy and PowerShell together
    • Automate with INF security templates
    • How to customize INF templates
    • Microsoft Security Compliance Manager (SCM)
    • SECEDIT.EXE scripting
    • Building an in-house security repository for SecOps/DevOps
    • NSA’s Secure Host Baseline GPOs

Group Policy Precision Targeting

    • Managing Group Policy Objects (GPOs) with PowerShell
    • LSDOU, Block Inheritance, Enforced GPOs
    • Group Policy permissions for targeting changes
    • ADMX templates for mass registry editing
    • Deploying PowerShell startup and logon scripts
    • WMI item-level targeting of GPO preferences
    • GPO scheduled tasks to run PowerShell scripts
    • Remote command execution via GPO (not remoting)
    • Empowering the Hunt Team to fight back!

Server Hardening for SecOps/DevOps

    • Server Manager scripting with PowerShell
    • Adding and removing roles and feature
    • Remotely inventory roles, features, and apps
    • Why Server Nano or Server Core
    • Running PowerShell automatically after service failure
    • Service account identities, passwords, and risks
    • Tools to reset service account passwords securely

Day Three
PowerShell Desired State Configuration (DSC)

    • DSC is Configuration Management built in for free
    • Using DSC for continuous reinforcement of settings
    • Writing your own DSC configuration scripts
    • Free DSC resource modules: www.PowerShellGallery.com
    • How to push DSC configurations to many targets
    • DSC background job processing in push mode
    • Examples: sync files, install roles, manage groups
    • Auditing a remote target against a DSC MOF template
    • “ApplyAndAutoCorrect” mode for continuous enforcement

PowerShell Just Enough Admin (JEA)

    • JEA is Windows sudo, like on Linux
    • JEA is Windows setuid root, like on Linux
    • Restricting commands and arguments
    • Verbose transcription logging
    • How to set up and configure JEA
    • Privilege Access Workstations (PAWs)

PowerShell and WMI

    • Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) service
    • What is WMI and why do hackers abuse it so much?
    • Using PowerShell to query WMI CIM classes
    • WMI authentication and traffic encryption
    • Inventory operating system versions and installed software
    • WMI remote command execution versus PowerShell remoting
    • PowerShell security best practices
    • PowerShell transcription logging to catch hackers

Prerequisites:

  • GSEC or equivalent experience
  • UNIX, Windows, Networking, and Security Experience
  • This is a hands-on skill course requiring comfort with command line interaction and network communications

Comments

Latest comments from students

Liked the class?  Then let everyone know!

CT-215: Cloud+

 

Course Overview:

This course covers the knowledge and skills required to understand standard Cloud terminologies/methodologies, to implement, maintain, and deliver cloud technologies and infrastructures (e.g. server, network, storage, and virtualization technologies), and to understand aspects of IT security and use of industry best practices related to cloud implementations and the application of virtualization.

TechNow has worked worldwide enterprise infrastructures for over 20 years and has developed demos and labs to exemplify the techniques required to demonstrate cloud technologies and to effectively manage security in the cloud environment.

TechNow is a CompTIA partner and uses official CompTIA Cloud+ curriculum.

Attendees to CT-215: Cloud+ will receive TechNow approved course materials and expert instruction.

Date/Locations:

Date/Time Event
01/06/2025 - 01/10/2025
08:00 -16:00 		CT-215: Cloud+
TechNow, Inc, San Antonio TX
04/21/2025 - 04/25/2025
08:00 -16:00 		CT-215: Cloud+
TechNow, Inc, San Antonio TX
07/28/2025 - 08/01/2025
08:00 -16:00 		CT-215: Cloud+
TechNow, Inc, San Antonio TX
11/03/2025 - 11/07/2025
08:00 -16:00 		CT-215: Cloud+
TechNow, Inc, San Antonio TX

Course Duration: 5 days

Course Objectives:

  • Prepare to deploy cloud solutions
  • Deploy a pilot project
  • Test a pilot project deployment
  • Design a secure network for cloud deployment
  • Determine CPU and memory sizing for cloud deployments
  • Plan Identity and Access Management for cloud deployments
  • Analyze workload characteristics to ensure successful migration to the cloud
  • Secure systems to meet access requirements
  • Maintain cloud systems
  • Implement backup, restore, and business continuity measures
  • Analyze cloud systems for required performance
  • Analyze cloud systems for anomalies and growth forecasting
  • Troubleshoot deployment, capacity, automation, and orchestration issues
  • Troubleshoot connectivity issues
  • Troubleshoot security issues

Course Prerequisites:

  • Security+, Network+, CASP or equivalent experience
  • Managing or administering at least one of UNIX, Windows, Databases, networking, or security

Comments

Latest comments from students

 

Liked the class?  Then let everyone know!

TN-812: Information Systems Security Engineering Professional (ISSEP)

Course Overview:

This concentration was developed in conjunction with the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) providing an invaluable tool for any systems security engineering professional. CISSP®-ISSEP is the guide for incorporating security into projects, applications, business processes, and all information systems. Security professionals are hungry for workable methodologies and best practices that can be used to integrate security into all facets of business operations. The SSE model taught in the IATF portion of the course is a guiding light in the field of information security and the incorporation of security into all information systems.

Attendees to TN-812: Information Systems Secuirty Engineering Professional (ISSEP) will receive TechNow approved course materials and expert instruction.

Dates/Locations:

No Events

Duration: 5 Days

Course Objectives:

  • Systems Security Engineering
  • Certification and Accreditation
  • Technical Management
  • U.S. Government Information Assurance Governance

Prerequisites:

Comments

Latest comments from students

User: fsarisen

Instructor comments: Thank you Tim for all the great information! I am confident that I'll do well on the ICND exam.

User: storoy30

Instructor comments: The instructor, Tim Burkard, was very knowledgeable on the course material and skilled at explain more complex ideas.

Liked the class?  Then let everyone know?

cheddarcon-powershell-threat-hunting-registration

After you press "Request Registration" near the bottom of this form, within 30 seconds, status will be provided at the bottom of the form, you will also be contacted by phone for credit card information.

Tech Now is pleased to have the opportunity to provide you training for "Windows Security Automation and Threat Hunting with PowerShell” at CheddarCon 2018!

Scroll down to see the course description.

First Name*
Last Name*
Your Email*
Your Organization*
Phone*

Questions:

After you press "Request Registration" on this form, within 30 seconds, status will be provided at the bottom of the form, you will also be contacted by phone for credit card information.

Windows Security Automation and Threat Hunting with PowerShell Seminar

Location: 400 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203, USA

Date: October 10, 2018 8:00am – 4:00pm

Duration: 8 hours

Audience: Cyber Security professionals and Windows administrators

Attendees Environment: Laptops not required, but suggested to have better hands-on absorption of subject matter.

Description:
PowerShell is both a command-line shell and scripting language. Fight fires quickly using existing or custom PowerShell commands or scripts at the shell. PowerShell is made for Security Operations (SecOps) automation on Windows. This seminar does not require prior programming skills. The seminar focuses on PowerShell programming, giving a beginner skills to be productive in windows scripting to automate tasks and also remediate problems.

Cyber Security is the objective of this seminar, and the PowerShell examples will demonstrate PowerShell capabilities that help lock down a Windows system and also report security status.

Objectives:

PowerShell Overview

  • Getting started running commands
  • Security cmdlets
  • Using and updating the built-in help
  • Execution policies
  • Fun tricks with the ISE graphical editor
  • Piping .NET and COM objects, not text
  • Using properties and methods of objects
  • Helping Linux admins feel more at home
  • Aliases, cmdlets, functions, modules, etc.

PowerShell Utilities and Tips

  • Customizing your profile script
  • PowerShell remote command execution
  • Security setting across the network
  • File copy via PowerShell remoting
  • Capturing the output of commands
  • Parsing text files and logs with regex patterns
  • Parsing Security Logs
  • Searching remote event logs
  • Mounting the registry as a drive
  • Security settings in the Registry
  • Exporting data to CSV, HTML and JSON files
  • Running scripts as scheduled jobs
  • Continued Security Compliance
  • Pushing out scripts through Group Policy
  • Importing modules and dot-sourcing functions
  • http://www.PowerShellGallery.com

PowerShell Scripting

  • PowerShell Scripting to implement Security Practices
  • Writing your own functions to automate security status and settings
  • Passing arguments into your scripts
  • Function parameters and returning output
  • Flow control: if-then, foreach, that make security decisions
  • How to pipe data in/out of your scripts for security compliance and reporting

Attendees to this seminar, Windows Security Automation and Threat Hunting with PowerShell, will receive TechNow approved course materials and expert instruction.[/wr_text][/wr_column][/wr_row]

RH-355: RHCSA Rapid Track Course

Course Overview:

The RHCSA Rapid Track Course  is designed for experienced Linux® system administrators who want to expand their technical skill sets and become accredited with the Red Hat® Certified System Administration (RHCSA) certification. To successfully navigate this course, students should have experience with the Linux command line—including the necessary skills to execute common commands, such as cp, grep, sort, mkdir, tar, mkfs, ssh, and dnf—and be familiar with accessing man pages for help. At the completion of the course, students will be adequately prepared to take the RHCSA exam (EX200) .

Date/Locations:

No Events

Duration: 5 days

Course Objectives:

  • Introduce Linux and the Red Hat Enterprise Linux ecosystem.
  • Run commands and view shell environments.
  • Manage, organize, and secure files.
  • Manage users, groups and user security policies.
  • Control and monitor systemd services.
  • Configure remote access using the web console and SSH.
  • Configure network interfaces and settings.
  • Manage software using DNF
  • Access security files, file systems, and networks
  • Execute shell scripting and automation techniques
  • Manage storage devices, logical volumes, and file systems
  • Manage security and system access
  • Control the boot process and system services
  • Running containers

Prerequisites:

Experience in the field system administration.

Comments

Latest comments from students

Liked the class?  Then let everyone know!