Ish, I changed the subject in my response because to be honest, I
don'tthink investigators, law enforcement officers, and the like need tofocus
as much on pen testing, as they do with forensic analysis(hardware and
network), Intrusion analysis, law, etc. Traditionally, pen testing is left
to a whole other group. Thatbeing said, it is still somewhat understandable
that you would stillwant to provide an overview of pen testing to broaden
horizons. So, here is my opinion on a few courses and classes (most of
whichI have taken and recommend): 1) Intrusion Detection Training and Packet
Analysis - This to me isone of the most important pieces of training if you are
in the fieldof incident handling or intrusion detection. To me, there is
oneclass which stands up above the rest and that is the SANS Track 3course.
Now, opinions aside on what they have done recently with thecertification
(GCIA) requirements, this class is one of the mostintense courses I have gone
through. The amount of packet levelanalysis and IDS analysis that you do will
make your head hurt. Ihighly recommend this class to everyone I meet. 2)
Forensic Analysis (Hardware) - Since we are mostly an Encase shop,I can only
speak about Encase training. I do know that SANS alsooffers a Forensics course
(I think it is Track 8), but I have not beenso I cannot speak on that one.
That being said, I would go towhatever vendor you decide to use for software,
and ask them fortraining. This is probably your best best for understanding
thesoftware that your guys will be using in the field. Sorry, not a lotof help
here on this one. 3) Malcode analysis - I don't know if you guys will be
getting intothis, but if you are, there are two options I would suggest here.
Oneis a SANS certification called GREM
(http://www.giac.org/certifications/security/grem.php). A few of mycolleagues
have gotten this certification and it seems to have helpedthem a great deal.
Also, if you are looking for a cheaper alternativeto this, you can do what many
of us have done and train yourself. Quite honestly, the best way I feel to
learn how different malcodeworks / operates is to play with it yourself. Get
yourself a copy ofregmon, filemon, Tripwire, etc., and set up a little test LAN
with arouter and simulate a normal network environment. Run the code,analyze
the packets, look at what registry settings are changed, seewhat files are
created, changed, or accessed, and you will be well onyour way. Please keep in
mind that this is a very technicallyoriented job duty and is not for the
everyday Joe just wanting todabble. 4) Pen Testing - This is what your original
question was asking for,but as I stated earlier, I don't know if you really
understand whatyou were asking (please take no offense...this is just my
opinion). Pen Testing and classes that supposedly teach it have become all
therage lately and quite frankly, I have yet to see a class that trulyteaches
someone how to be a Pen Tester. That being said, there are afew courses out
there that will allow your guys to get their feet wetand get a base knowledge
if that is what you are looking for. Thebest Intro course I have attended to
date was the CEH class (CertifiedEthical Hacker). This class does not delve
deep into the advancedtechniques, but does provide a broad sweep and
understanding into howa Pen Test is performed and the every day tools used in
the process. Also, I recently attended NSA's IAM and IEM courses which in
myopinion, give a nice overall view on a methodology to use when doingan
evaluation. Also, ISECOM offers two classes based on the OSTMMthat teach a
somewhat different methodology. Again, please keep in mind that it is somewhat
not the norm when youuse the words Law Enforcement Officer, Forensics Analyst,
and PenTester in the same sentence. These are usually three, at the leasttwo,
completely separate job functions that are performed within anorganization. I
have yet to stumble across an employer who wantstheir badge waivers to also be
Pen Testers, Intrusion Analysts, andForensics Analysts at the same time (at
least in the Govt. side ofthings). I hope this helps you out a bit. Everyone
has their own opinions onall these courses and subject matter, so please take
this as anOPINION and nothing more. In no way am I saying that this is the
pathyou should follow. Take care. - Brian Bartholomew
