The PAM-DEF: CyberArk Defender course is designed to provide IT security professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to implement, configure, and manage privileged access management (PAM) solutions using CyberArk's platform. This course focuses on securing privileged accounts, mitigating risks associated with unauthorized access, and enhancing the overall security posture of an organization. As cyber threats evolve and insider attacks become more common, securing privileged access has become a critical priority for organizations of all sizes.

CyberArk is a leading provider of privileged access management solutions, trusted by enterprises globally to safeguard sensitive data, applications, and infrastructure from breaches. With CyberArk, organizations can manage privileged accounts, ensure compliance with security policies, and monitor user activities in real time to detect and respond to potential threats quickly. This course provides in-depth, hands-on training with CyberArk's tools and features, focusing on best practices for securing privileged credentials and managing access to critical systems.

Course Overview

This comprehensive course covers key concepts, methodologies, and tools related to privileged access management, and how they are implemented in CyberArk's PAM solutions. It begins with an introduction to PAM principles and why privileged access is one of the most significant attack vectors in today’s cybersecurity landscape. You will then learn how to configure, manage, and monitor privileged access using CyberArk’s powerful suite of tools.

The course is divided into several modules, each addressing a specific aspect of CyberArk Defender, including architecture, deployment, account management, access policies, session monitoring, reporting, and troubleshooting. You'll also explore the integration of CyberArk Defender with other security technologies, such as identity and access management (IAM) solutions and network security tools.

Key Topics Covered

Introduction to Privileged Access Management (PAM)

• Overview of PAM concepts and principles

• Importance of securing privileged accounts

• Risks and challenges associated with privileged access

• The role of PAM in mitigating insider threats and advanced attacks

• Understanding the CyberArk solution suite and its components

Overview of PAM concepts and principles

Importance of securing privileged accounts

Risks and challenges associated with privileged access

The role of PAM in mitigating insider threats and advanced attacks

Understanding the CyberArk solution suite and its components

CyberArk Architecture and Deployment

• Introduction to CyberArk’s architecture: Vault, Central Policy Manager (CPM), Password Vault Web Access (PVWA), and Privileged Session Manager (PSM)

• Deployment considerations for CyberArk solutions

• Understanding the role of each CyberArk component in the PAM ecosystem

• Setting up and configuring CyberArk environments

• Managing and configuring the CyberArk Vault for secure credential storage

Introduction to CyberArk’s architecture: Vault, Central Policy Manager (CPM), Password Vault Web Access (PVWA), and Privileged Session Manager (PSM)

Deployment considerations for CyberArk solutions

Understanding the role of each CyberArk component in the PAM ecosystem

Setting up and configuring CyberArk environments

Managing and configuring the CyberArk Vault for secure credential storage

Managing Privileged Accounts and Access Policies

• Managing privileged accounts: creating, managing, and rotating privileged credentials

• Configuring access policies and permissions for privileged users

• Implementing least-privilege access to reduce the attack surface

• Creating and managing safe policies for vaulting credentials

• Defining access control policies for critical systems and applications

• Role-based access control (RBAC) and policy enforcement

Managing privileged accounts: creating, managing, and rotating privileged credentials

Configuring access policies and permissions for privileged users

Implementing least-privilege access to reduce the attack surface

Creating and managing safe policies for vaulting credentials

Defining access control policies for critical systems and applications

Role-based access control (RBAC) and policy enforcement

Session Monitoring and Auditing

• Overview of session recording and monitoring capabilities within CyberArk

• Configuring session management for privileged users

• Real-time monitoring and alerting on privileged sessions

• Session playback for forensic analysis and auditing

• Reporting and auditing tools within CyberArk for compliance

• Best practices for session recording and monitoring in enterprise environments

Overview of session recording and monitoring capabilities within CyberArk

Configuring session management for privileged users

Real-time monitoring and alerting on privileged sessions

Session playback for forensic analysis and auditing

Reporting and auditing tools within CyberArk for compliance

Best practices for session recording and monitoring in enterprise environments

CyberArk Integration and Interoperability

• Integrating CyberArk with identity and access management (IAM) systems

• Integrating CyberArk with security information and event management (SIEM) platforms

• Ensuring compatibility with other security tools, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and threat intelligence platforms

• Leveraging APIs for custom integrations and automation

• Implementing CyberArk in hybrid environments, including on-premises and cloud-based infrastructures

Integrating CyberArk with identity and access management (IAM) systems

Integrating CyberArk with security information and event management (SIEM) platforms

Ensuring compatibility with other security tools, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and threat intelligence platforms

Leveraging APIs for custom integrations and automation

Implementing CyberArk in hybrid environments, including on-premises and cloud-based infrastructures

CyberArk Best Practices and Risk Mitigation

• Best practices for securing privileged access in complex environments

• Implementing and managing password rotation policies

• Using CyberArk to prevent lateral movement within an organization

• Detecting and mitigating insider threats through access control and monitoring

• Case studies of successful PAM implementation in enterprises

• Troubleshooting common issues with CyberArk deployments

Best practices for securing privileged access in complex environments

Implementing and managing password rotation policies

Using CyberArk to prevent lateral movement within an organization

Detecting and mitigating insider threats through access control and monitoring

Case studies of successful PAM implementation in enterprises

Troubleshooting common issues with CyberArk deployments

Compliance and Reporting

• Understanding the compliance requirements for privileged access management (e.g., SOX, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, GDPR)

• Using CyberArk to ensure compliance with security regulations and standards

• Generating compliance reports for auditing and governance

• Best practices for maintaining compliance in dynamic, evolving environments

• Monitoring and reporting on privileged access activities to meet audit requirements

Understanding the compliance requirements for privileged access management (e.g., SOX, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, GDPR)

Using CyberArk to ensure compliance with security regulations and standards

Generating compliance reports for auditing and governance

Best practices for maintaining compliance in dynamic, evolving environments

Monitoring and reporting on privileged access activities to meet audit requirements

Troubleshooting and Maintenance

• Common challenges and solutions in CyberArk deployments

• Best practices for regular maintenance and patching of CyberArk components

• Troubleshooting session issues, Vault errors, and policy misconfigurations

• Performance monitoring and optimization for large-scale deployments

• Ongoing management of privileged accounts and user access

Common challenges and solutions in CyberArk deployments

Best practices for regular maintenance and patching of CyberArk components

Troubleshooting session issues, Vault errors, and policy misconfigurations

Performance monitoring and optimization for large-scale deployments

Ongoing management of privileged accounts and user access