centers (Computer Emergency Response Teams) or computer emergency response centers are organizations that are responsible for managing the response to cyber security incidents. These centers play a key role in analyzing threats, warning, and preventing cyber attacks at the national or organizational level. They also work in the fields of education and raising awareness against cyber threats .
Main duties of CERT centers
CERT centers operate in different dimensions and fields, but their main tasks usually include the following :
- Identification and analysis of threats : CERT centers continuously identify and analyze new threats and vulnerabilities to be aware of potential risks .
- Warning and notification : These centers warn organizations and individuals about new security threats and methods to deal with them .
- Incident response : CERTs design and implement incident response programs to respond quickly and effectively to a security incident .
- Development of tools and methods : They innovate in the development of tools and methods to detect, analyze, and manage cyber security incidents .
- Training and raising awareness : CERT centers provide training programs for employees of organizations and the general public to increase their awareness of cyber security issues .
Some examples of famous CERT centers
- US-CERT : National Cyber Security and Communications Integrity Center of the United States, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security and operates as one of the main cyber incident response agencies in the United States .
- CERT-EU : Computer Incident Response Center for EU Institutions, which provides security services to EU institutions and bodies .
- JPCERT/CC : Computer Incident Response Center in Japan, which is responsible for responding to cyber incidents and cooperating with international organizations .
Importance of CERT centers
CERT centers play a critical role in maintaining cyber security, especially in rapidly changing environments where cyber threats are constantly evolving. They help organizations resist cyber attacks and protect their data and systems by providing the necessary technical knowledge, tools, and support .
Tools used in CERT
CERT centers use a wide range of security tools and technologies to perform their duties. These tools help them identify, analyze, manage and respond to cyber incidents. Here are some of the most common tools used in CERT centers :
- Intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS)
These systems continuously scan network traffic to identify suspicious or unwanted patterns, and if malicious activities are detected, they react to deal with them .
Snort
Snort is an open source intrusion detection and prevention system that helps detect malicious activity in network traffic. The tool also acts as an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) , which can block malicious packets before they reach their destination .
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems
These tools collect, analyze, and store data and security events from various sources to help security teams identify important trends or incidents .
Splunk
Splunk It is a powerful platform for gathering and analyzing machine data that is widely used for Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) . This tool helps CERT centers to collect data from various sources and perform complex security analysis .
- Vulnerability management tools
These softwares are used to scan systems to identify security vulnerabilities and provide solutions to fix them .
Qualys Vulnerability Management
One of the popular and powerful vulnerability management tools is Qualys Vulnerability Management Is. This cloud platform helps organizations to automatically identify, analyze and rank security vulnerabilities in their networks, devices, servers and software .
- Forensic analysis tools
These tools are used to closely investigate security incidents and analyze the root causes of attacks. They help security teams uncover information about how attackers infiltrated .
GRR Rapid Response
GRR is a forensic incident analysis and incident response tool that enables security professionals to quickly perform security investigations on various devices on the network. This tool is used to quickly search data and execute remote commands on infected devices .
- Network traffic analysis tools
These tools monitor network traffic to identify signs of attacks or malicious activity .
Wireshark
Wireshark is a network protocol analyzer that allows users to capture network traffic and analyze it in depth. This tool is used to diagnose network issues, analyze security incidents, and investigate suspicious activities .
- Threat intelligence systems
These systems provide up-to-date information on new and existing threats, malicious campaigns and attacker tactics. They help organizations stay abreast of the latest threat trends and defend themselves more effectively .
MISP (Malware Information Sharing Platform)
MISP is a cyber threat information sharing platform that helps CERT centers share information about attacks, threats and vital signs with other agencies. This tool facilitates knowledge exchange and cooperation between organizations .
- Collaboration and incident management tools
Tools such as ticketing systems or incident management platforms allow CERT teams to log, track and address incidents .
TheHive
TheHive is an incident management and security incident response platform that provides features such as incident management, team collaboration, and advanced incident analysis. This tool enables CERT teams to effectively manage and respond to incidents .
These tools help CERT centers effectively resist cyber threats and provide quick and effective responses to security incidents .
Collaborative teams at the CERT Center
In CERT (Computer Emergency Response Teams) centers , several different teams with different expertise work together to help create a multi-layered and effective security environment. These teams include specialists and experts in different fields of cyber security, and each of them is responsible for specific tasks. Here are some of the main teams working in CERT centers :
- Incident management team
This team is primarily responsible for responding to security incidents. Their duties include identifying, analyzing, and handling incidents, as well as coordinating the necessary activities to deal with attacks and prevent their recurrence .
- Security Research Team
This group is specialized in analyzing and investigating new and existing threats. They investigate system weaknesses, develop security policies, and provide suggested improvement solutions .
- Tool and technology development team
This team is responsible for developing and maintaining security tools used to analyze, monitor and defend against cyber attacks. They can also develop custom tools tailored to the organization’s specific needs .
- Education and awareness raising team
This team is responsible for designing and implementing training programs for employees and managers of the organization. They help raise public awareness of cyber security and provide tips for preventing attacks .
- International communication and cooperation team
This team is responsible for communicating and collaborating with other CERT centers , government agencies and the private sector. The purpose of these collaborations is to share information about threats and best security practices .
- Technical response team
This team, along with the incident management team, deals with the technical handling of security incidents and takes the necessary measures to limit the damage and restore the systems .
Together, these teams help strengthen the organization’s ability to respond to cyber threats and ensure that the organization can respond quickly and effectively to security incidents and protect its data and assets .
CERT center organizational chart
In the updated image above , the CERT center organization chart is drawn with a clearer and more compact design . This chart shows how the various departments within the CERT Center work together , and how each department reports to senior management .
