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!

AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals

 

Course Overview:

This two-day course will provide foundational level knowledge on cloud concepts; core Azure services; security, privacy, compliance, and trust; and Azure pricing and support.

NOTE: This course provides an Azure pass and time for you to participate in hands-on labs. The content for this course aligns to AZ-900 exam objective domain

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

Attendees to AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals will receive TechNow approved course materials and expert instruction.

Date/Locations:

Date/Time Event
01/20/2026 - 01/23/2026
08:00 -16:00 		AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
TechNow, Inc, San Antonio TX
04/07/2026 - 04/08/2026
08:00 -16:00 		AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
TechNow, Inc, San Antonio TX
08/03/2026 - 08/04/2026
08:00 -16:00 		AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
TechNow, Inc, San Antonio TX
11/09/2026 - 11/10/2026
08:00 -16:00 		AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
TechNow, Inc, San Antonio TX

Course Duration: 3 days

Course Outline:

  • Cloud Concepts
  • Core Azure Services
  • Security, Privacy, Compliance, And Trust
  • Azure Pricing and Support

Lab Objectives:

    • Create a virtual machine
    • Deploy Azure container instances
    • Create a virtual network
    • Create blob storage
    • Create a SQL database
    • Implement an Azure IoT Hub
    • Implement Azure Functions
    • Create a web app
    • Create a VM with a Template
    • Create a VM with PowerShell
    • Create a VM with CLI
    • Secure network traffic
    • Implement Azure key vault
    • Create an Azure Policy
    • Manage access with RBAC
    • Manage resource locks
    • Implement resource tagging
    • Exploring the Trust Center
    • Use the Azure Pricing Calculator
    • Use the Azure TCO Calculator
    • Open a Support request
    • Calculate composite SLAs
    • Access Azure Preview features

Prerequisites :

      • There are no prerequisites for taking this course. Technical IT experience is not required however some general IT knowledge or experience would be beneficial.
      • This course is suitable for IT personnel who are just beginning to work with Azure.
      • This course primarily uses the Azure portal to create services and does not require scripting skills.
      • Students in this course will gain confidence to take other role-based courses and certifications, such as Azure Administrator.
      • This course provides an Azure pass and optional lab environment.

Comments

Latest comments from students

 

Liked the class?  Then let everyone know!

TN-535: Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE)

CCFE Core Competencies

  • Procedures and Legal Issues
  • Computer Fundamentals
  • Partitioning Schemes
  • Data Recovery
  • Windows File Systems
  • Windows Artifacts
  • Report writing (Presentation of Finding)
  • Procedures and Legal issues
  1. Knowledge of search and subjection and rules for evidence as applicable to computer forensics.
  2. Ability to explain the on-scene action taken for evidence preservation.
  3. Ability to maintain and document an environment consolidating the computer forensics.
  • Computer Fundamentals
  1. Understand BIOS
  2. Computer hardware
  3. Understanding of numbering system (Binary, hexadecimal, bits, bytes).
  4. Knowledge of sectors, clusters, files.
  5. Understanding of logical and physical files.
  6. Understanding of logical and physical drives.
  • Partitioning schemes
  1. Identification of current partitioning schemes.
  2. Understanding of primary and extended partition.
  3. Knowledge of partitioning schemes and structures and system used by it.
  4. Knowledge of GUID and its application.
  • Windows file system
  1. Understanding of concepts of files.
  2. Understanding of FAT tables, root directory, subdirectory along with how they store data.
  3. Identification, examination, analyzation of NTFS master file table.
  4. Understanding of $MFT structure and how they store data.
  5. Understanding of Standard information, Filename, and data attributes.
  • Data Recovery
  1. Ability to validate forensic hardware, software, examination procedures.
  2. Email headers understanding.
  3. Ability to generate and validate forensically sterile media.
  4. Ability to generate and validate a forensic image of media.
  5. Understand hashing and hash sets.
  6. Understand file headers.
  7. Ability to extract file metadata from common file types.
  8. Understanding of file fragmentation.
  9. Ability to extract component files from compound files.
  10. Knowledge of encrypted files and strategies for recovery.
  11. Knowledge of Internet browser artifacts.
  12. Knowledge of search strategies for examining electronic
  • Windows Artifacts
  1. Understanding the purpose and structure of component files that create the windows registry.
  2. Identify and capability to extract the relevant data from the dead registry.
  3. Understand the importance of restore points and volume shadow copy services.
  4. Knowledge of the locations of common Windows artifacts.
  5. Ability to analyze recycle bin.
  6. Ability to analyze link files.
  7. Analyzing of logs
  8. Extract and view windows logs
  9. Ability to locate, mount and examine VHD files.
  10. Understand the Windows swap and hibernation files.
  • Report Writing (Presentation of findings)
  1. Ability to conclude things strongly based on examination observations.
  2. Able to report findings using industry standard technically accurate terminologies.
  3. Ability to explain the complex things in simple and easy terms so that non-technical people can understand clearly.
  4. Be able to consider legal boundaries when undertaking a forensic examination

P-325: Python Programming

Course Overview:

This is an introductory course into the Python scripting language.  This class uses a hands-on approach in teaching the Python language.  This course builds the prerequisite skills for TechNow's P-345: Python for Pentration Testers course.  Getting comfortable with Python is important to understanding how Python can be utilitized for offensive measures.

This course is hands-on with the instructor walking the students through many short examples to exemplify an objective.  Dexterity with the language comes through many small code examples to produce the desired result.  Students have fun acquiring points for all the code examples they get correct.  We must be having fun because TechNow is always amazed at how competitive students are in trying to acquire the most points!  

The instructor will focus on the level that each student is currently at, and ensure the student absorbs the subject matter.  Programming is not a daily tasking of administrators or offensive operators and TechNow understands that.  As an instructor led course TechNow is very successful in making Python accessible to those who do not live eat and breath programming.  If a student's ultimate goal is to attend a course like TechNow's P-345: Python for Pentration Testers course, then not being bogged down in the Python language is critical, and this course (P-325: Python Programming) meets that objective.

Recently we have introduced Raspberry Pi's and multiple sensors to the P-325: Python Programming course.  This enables the student to actually see productive results from their coding skills in the physical world!  Some examples that students create programs for are: Motion detectors, distance, temperature, cameras and keypads.

Attendees to P-325: Python Programming will receive TechNow approved course materials and expert instruction.

Dates/Locations:

No Events

Duration: 5 Days

Course Objectives:

  • How Python Runs Programs
  • Introducing Python Object Types
    • Numeric Types
    • Dynamic Typing
  • Variables
  • Regular Expressions
  • Strings
  • Conditionals
    • if Tests and Syntax Rules
  • Lists and Dictionaries
  • Tuples and Files
  • Introducing Python Statements
  • Assignments, Expressions, and Prints
  • while and for Loops
  • Iterations and Comprehensions
  • Documentation
  • Function Basics
  • Built-In Functions
  • Scopes
  • Arguments
  • Modules
  • Module Packages and Importing
  • Classes and OOP
  • Operator Overloading
  • Recursion
  • Exception Coding Details
  • Exception Objects
  • Unicode and Byte Strings
  • Working with Raspberry Pi
    • Writing code for sensors

Prerequisites:

  • Experience with some form of programming is preferred

 

Comments

Latest comments from students

User: slewis8435

Instructor comments: Very good instructor - he was excited about the material, very knowledgeable, and explained things clearly.

Facilities comments: The facilities were fine - plenty of room for each student to set up an extra computer and have room for note taking

User: nathan.karras

Instructor comments: Instructor was extremely knowledgeable in programming and scripting. He encouraged students to explore and ask questions. He would work with individuals to troubleshoot lab problems sets. Would highly recommend as an instructor.

Facilities comments: Room got a little warn. Instructor purchased fans to cool things off for the class. Projector had over scan.

Liked the class?  Then let everyone know!

VM-325: VMware View: Install, Configure and Manage

Course Overview:

This hands-on training course builds your skills in the VMware ViewTM suite of products: VMware View Manager, VMware View Composer, and VMware® ThinAppTM.  Based on customer specification, this course can be based on View 4.x or 5.x, and ThinApp 4.x or 5.x releases.

Attendees to VM-325: VMware View: Install, Configure and Manage will receive TechNow approved course materials and expert instruction.

At the end of this course, you should understand the features and operations of View and be able to:

  • Install and configure View components
  • Create and manage dedicated and floating desktop pools
  • Deploy and manage linked-clone virtual desktops
  • Configure and manage desktops that run in local mode
  • Configure secure access to desktops through a public network
  • Use ThinApp to package applications

Date/Locations:

No Events

Duration: 5 days

Course Objectives:

  • Module 1: Course Introduction
  • Module 2: Introduction to VMware View
  • Module 3: View Connection Server
  • Module 4: View Desktops
  • Module 5: View Client Options
  • Module 6: View Administratory
  • Module 7: Configuring and Managing Linked Clones
  • Module 8: Local-Mode Desktops
  • Module 9: Command-Line Tools and Backup Options
  • Module 10: Managing VMware View Security
  • Module 11: View Manager Performance and Scalability
  • Module 12: VMware® ThinAppTM

Prerequisites:

  • VM-315: VMware Infrastructure: Install, Configure and Manage
  • Experience in Microsoft Windows Active Directory Administration
  • Experience with VMware vSphereTM
  • Before attending the course, students must be able to perform the following tasks:
    • Create a template in VMware vCenterTM Server and deploy a virtual machine from it
    • Modify a template customization file
    • Open a virtual machine console in vCenter Server and access the guest operating system
    • Configure Active Directory services

 

Comments

Latest comments from students

Liked the class?  Then let everyone know!