Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (CBROPS)

In this Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals course provides a comprehensive introduction to Security Operations Center (SOC) concepts, workflows, and technologies, focusing on how security teams detect, analyze, and respond to cyber threats in modern enterprise and cloud environments. It is designed to build foundational knowledge across operating systems, networking, security monitoring, and incident response while emphasizing a threat-centric approach.

The course begins by defining the role of the SOC, key performance metrics, and operational workflows, including the use of automation to improve efficiency and response time. Learners gain foundational understanding of Windows and Linux operating systems, endpoint security technologies, network infrastructure, and network security monitoring tools, which are critical for effective threat detection and analysis.

Additional topics include common TCP/IP-based attacks, data type categories used in security analysis, basic cryptography concepts, and cloud security fundamentals with an emphasis on securing cloud deployments. The course then transitions into threat-centric SOC operations, covering incident analysis, common attack vectors, malicious activity identification, behavioral pattern recognition, threat hunting resources, and event correlation and normalization.

Hands-on labs reinforce these concepts by exploring operating systems, endpoint and network security tools, analyzing attack techniques, investigating suspicious DNS and browser-based activity, correlating logs, packet captures, and alerts, and conducting threat hunts using tools such as Security Onion. Advanced scenarios include investigating advanced persistent threats, applying SOC playbooks, and simulating integrations between Cisco XDR and Splunk Enterprise, preparing learners for real-world SOC operations and incident response.

How You'll Benefit

This training will help you:  

• Learn the fundamental skills, techniques, technologies, and the hands-on practice necessary to prevent and defend against cyberattacks as part of a SOC team
• Prepare for the 200-201 CBROPS v1.2 exam
• Earn 30 CE credits toward recertification

Upon completing this course, the student will be able to:

• Explain how a SOC operates and describe the different types of services that are performed from a Tier 1 SOC analyst’s perspective
• Explain the use of SOC metrics to measure the effectiveness of the SOC
• Explain the use of a workflow management system and automation to improve the effectiveness of the SOC
• Describe the Windows operating system features and functionality
• Provide an overview of the Linux operating system
• Understand common endpoint security technologies
• Explain the network security monitoring (NSM) tools that are available to the network security analyst
• Describe security flaws in the TCP/IP protocol and how they can be used to attack networks and hosts
• Explain the data that is available to the network security analyst
• Describe the basic concepts and uses of cryptography
• Understand the foundational cloud security practices, including deployment and service models, shared responsibilities, compliance frameworks, and identity and access management, to effectively secure cloud environments against cyberthreats
• Understand and implement advanced network security, data protection, secure application deployment, continuous monitoring, and effective disaster recovery strategies to secure cloud deployments
• Understand the kill chain and the diamond models for incident investigations, and the use of exploit kits by threat actors
• Identify the common attack vectors
• Identify malicious activities
• Identify patterns of suspicious behaviors
• Identify resources for hunting cyber threats
• Explain the need for event data normalization and event correlation
• Conduct security incident investigations
• Explain the use of a typical playbook in the SOC
• Describe a typical incident response plan and the functions of a typical computer security incident response team (CSIRT)

What to Expect in the Exam

Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Operations Fundamentals (200-201 CBROPS) v1.2 is a 120-minute exam associated with the Cisco Certified Cybersecurity Associate certification. 

This exam tests your knowledge and skills related to: 

• Security concepts
• Security monitoring
• Host-based analysis
• Network intrusion analysis
• Security policies and procedures

This training is designed for associate-level cybersecurity analysts who are working in security operation centers. 

• Students pursuing a technical degree
• Current IT professionals
• Recent college graduates with a technical degree

There are no prerequisites for this training. However, the knowledge and skills you are recommended to have before attending this training are: 

• Familiarity with Ethernet and TCP/IP networking
• Working knowledge of the Windows and Linux operating systems
• Familiarity with basics of networking security concepts

These skills can be found in the following Cisco Learning Offering: 

• Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA)

Course Outline

• Defining the Security Operations Center
• Understanding SOC Metrics
• Understanding SOC Workflow and Automation
• Understanding Windows Operating System Basics
• Understanding Linux Operating System Basics
• Understanding Endpoint Security Technologies
• Understanding Network Infrastructure and Network Security Monitoring Tools
• Understanding Common TCP/IP Attacks
• Exploring Data Type Categories
• Understanding Basic Cryptography Concepts
• Cloud Security Fundamentals
• Securing Cloud Deployments
• Understanding Incident Analysis in a Threat-Centric SOC
• Identifying Common Attack Vectors
• Identifying Malicious Activity
• Identifying Patterns of Suspicious Behavior
• Identifying Resources for Hunting Cyber Threats
• Understanding Event Correlation and Normalization
• Conducting Security Incident Investigations
• Using a Playbook Model to Organize Security Monitoring
• Describing Incident Response

Lab Outline

• Explore the Windows Operating System
• Explore the Linux Operating System
• Explore Endpoint Security
• Explore TCP/IP Attacks
• Use NSM Tools to Analyze Data Categories
• Explore Cryptographic Technologies
• Investigate Hacker Methodology
• Investigate Browser-Based Attacks
• Analyze Suspicious DNS Activity
• Explore Security Data for Analysis
• Investigate Suspicious Activity Using Security Onion
• Hunt Malicious Traffic
• Cisco XDR to Splunk Enterprise Integration Simulation
• Correlate Event Logs, PCAPs, and Alerts of an Attack
• Investigate Advanced Persistent Threats
• Explore SOC Playbooks