1.1 Define essential security principles
• Vulnerabilities, threats, exploits, and risks; attack vectors; hardening; defense-
in-depth; confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA); types of attackers; 
reasons for attacks; code of ethics
1.2 Explain common threats and vulnerabilities
• Malware, ransomware, denial of service, botnets, social engineering attacks 
(tailgating, spear phishing, phishing, vishing, smishing, etc.), physical attacks, 
man in the middle, IoT vulnerabilities, insider threats, Advanced Persistent 
Threat (APT)
1.3 Explain access management principles
• Authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA); RADIUS; multifactor 
authentication (MFA); password policies
1.4 Explain encryption methods and applications
• Types of encryption, hashing, certificates, public key infrastructure (PKI); strong 
vs. weak encryption algorithms; states of data and appropriate encryption (data 
in transit, data at rest, data in use); protocols that use encryption

2.1 Describe TCP/IP protocol vulnerabilities
• TCP, UDP, HTTP, ARP, ICMP, DHCP, DNS

2.2 Explain how network addresses impact network security
• IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, MAC addresses, network segmentation, CIDR 
notation, NAT, public vs. private networks)

2.3 Describe network infrastructure and technologies
• Network security architecture, DMZ, virtualization, cloud, honeypot, proxy 
server, IDS, IPS

2.4 Set up a secure wireless SoHo network
• MAC address filtering, encryption standards and protocols, SSID

2.5 Implement secure access technologies
• ACL, firewall, VPN, NAC

3.1 Describe operating system security concepts
• Windows, macOS, and Linux; security features, including Windows Defender 
and host-based firewalls; CLI and PowerShell; file and directory permissions; 
privilege escalation
3.2 Demonstrate familiarity with appropriate endpoint tools that gather security 
assessment information
• netstat, nslookup, tcpdump
3.3 Verify that endpoint systems meet security policies and standards
• Hardware inventory (asset management), software inventory, program 
deployment, data backups, regulatory compliance (PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR), 
BYOD (device management, data encryption, app distribution, configuration 
management)
3.4 Implement software and hardware updates
• Windows Update, application updates, device drivers, firmware, patching
3.5 Interpret system logs
• Event Viewer, audit logs, system and application logs, syslog, identification of 
anomalies
3.6 Demonstrate familiarity with malware removal
• Scanning systems, reviewing scan logs, malware remediation

4.1 Explain vulnerability management
• Vulnerability identification, management, and mitigation; active and passive 
reconnaissance; testing (port scanning, automation)
4.2 Use threat intelligence techniques to identify potential network 
vulnerabilities
• Uses and limitations of vulnerability databases; industry-standard tools used 
to assess vulnerabilities and make recommendations, policies, and reports; 
Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs), cybersecurity reports, 
cybersecurity news, subscription services, and collective intelligence; ad hoc 
and automated threat intelligence; the importance of updating documentation 
and other forms of communication proactively before, during, and after 
cybersecurity incidents; how to secure, share and update documentation
4.3 Explain risk management
• Vulnerability vs. risk, ranking risks, approaches to risk management, risk 
mitigation strategies, levels of risk (low, medium, high, extremely high), 
risks associated with specific types of data and data classifications, security 
assessments of IT systems (information security, change management, 
computer operations, information assurance)
4.4 Explain the importance of disaster recovery and business continuity 
planning
• Natural and human-caused disasters, features of disaster recovery plans 
(DRP) and business continuity plans (BCP), backup, disaster recovery 
controls (detective, preventive, and corrective)

5.1 Monitor security events and know when escalation is required
• Role of SIEM and SOAR, monitoring network data to identify security 
incidents (packet captures, various log file entries, etc.), identifying 
suspicious events as they occur

5.2 Explain digital forensics and attack attribution processes
• Cyber Kill Chain, MITRE ATT&CK Matrix, and Diamond Model; Tactics, 
Techniques, and Procedures (TTP); sources of evidence (artifacts); evidence 
handling (preserving digital evidence, chain of custody)

5.3 Explain the impact of compliance frameworks on incident handling
• Compliance frameworks (GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, FERPA, FISMA), reporting 
and notification requirements

5.4 Describe the elements of cybersecurity incident response
• Policy, plan, and procedure elements; incident response lifecycle stages 
(NIST Special Publication 800-61 sections 2.3, 3.1-3.4)