SIEM SOC Operations with Microsoft Sentinel
Build real SOC capabilities with Microsoft Sentinel across SIEM architecture, cloud log ingestion, KQL analytics, incident response, threat hunting, automation, and executive dashboards.
Certification Roadmap
1Module 1: Introduction to SIEM and Cloud Security
Understand SIEM foundations and how cloud-native security operations differ from traditional deployments.
SIEM Fundamentals
Architecture & Cloud SIEM
What is SIEM · Traditional vs Cloud SIEM · Benefits of cloud SIEM · SIEM architecture
SOC Fundamentals
Analyst Roles & Alert Lifecycle
SOC workflow and analyst roles · Alert lifecycle · Use-case engineering basics · Process maturity concepts
Microsoft Sentinel Overview
Capabilities & Deployment Models
What Sentinel does · Core capabilities · Sentinel in Microsoft security stack · Common deployment models
2Module 2: Azure Fundamentals for Security
Build the Azure foundation needed to deploy and operate Sentinel securely.
Azure Basics
Portal, Subscriptions & Governance
Overview of Microsoft Azure · Portal navigation · Subscriptions and resource groups · Azure governance basics
Core Azure Services
Networking, Storage & Regions
Azure networking basics · Storage concepts · Region and availability · Resource organization for SOC
Identity and Access
Entra ID, RBAC & Conditional Access
Identity with Microsoft Entra ID · RBAC and least-privilege · Conditional access basics · Security best practices for SOC users
3Module 3: Microsoft Sentinel Architecture
Design a scalable Sentinel environment with the right ingestion and workspace strategy.
Sentinel Core Components
Control Plane & Data Connectors
Sentinel components and control plane · Log Analytics workspace architecture · Data connectors and content hub · Analytics and incident engine overview
Ingestion Architecture
Patterns & Multi-Workspace Design
Data ingestion patterns · Agent-based vs agentless collection · Connector prioritization · Multi-workspace design basics
Commercials and Setup
Pricing, Licensing & Readiness
Sentinel pricing and licensing · Cost estimation and retention planning · Workspace setup · Operational readiness checklist
4Module 4: Data Collection and Log Ingestion
Connect key enterprise sources and validate telemetry quality for threat detection.
Connector Configuration
AMA Agents & Validation
Configuring data connectors · Using AMA and other agents · Connector health and troubleshooting · Validation of incoming log streams
Log Sources
Windows, Linux, Firewall & Cloud
Windows server log collection · Linux server log collection · Firewall log integration · Cloud service telemetry onboarding
Advanced Ingestion
Syslog, CEF & Normalization
Endpoint security tool integration · Syslog integration · CEF log ingestion · Normalization and schema mapping basics
5Module 5: Log Management and Querying
Use KQL effectively to search, filter, correlate, and visualize security telemetry.
KQL Essentials
Search, Filter & Query Patterns
Introduction to Kusto Query Language (KQL) · Searching logs and table selection · Filtering events and time windows · Creating reusable query patterns
Analytical Queries
Auth, Network & Anomaly Queries
Event log analysis · Authentication log investigations · Network activity monitoring queries · Baseline and anomaly-style query design
Dashboards and Workbooks
KQL-Driven Visualization
Building dashboards from KQL · Log Analytics workspace queries · Query optimization basics · Operational reporting views
6Module 6: Detection and Analytics Rules
Engineer high-quality detections that reduce noise and improve SOC signal quality.
Rule Creation
Scheduled & Near Real-Time Rules
Creating detection rules · Scheduled analytics rules · Near real-time rules · Alert threshold tuning strategies
Threat Framework Alignment
MITRE ATT&CK Mapping
MITRE ATT&CK mapping · Threat scenario modeling · Use-case prioritization · Coverage gap identification
Custom Detection Engineering
Logic, Suppression & Validation
Alert generation workflows · Custom threat detection logic · Suppression and false-positive reduction · Detection validation testing
7Module 7: Incident Management
Operationalize response with triage, investigation, correlation, and closure workflows.
Incident Foundations
Severity, Grouping & Escalation
Understanding incidents in Sentinel · Incident severity and prioritization · Alert grouping and correlation basics · Ownership and escalation paths
Investigation Workflows
Timeline, Entity Graph & Evidence
Incident investigation techniques · Timeline analysis · Entity investigation graph usage · Evidence collection and documentation
Case Management
Runbooks & Post-Incident Review
Case management lifecycle · Incident response workflow · Runbooks and playbook handoffs · Post-incident review process
8Module 8: Threat Hunting
Use hypothesis-driven hunting to uncover stealthy attacker behavior before alerts fire.
Hunting Methodology
Hypothesis & Hunt Cycle
Threat hunting methodology · Hypothesis-driven hunt planning · Data source selection for hunts · Hunt cycle execution process
Hunting Queries and Behavior
KQL Hunting & Pattern Analysis
Hunting queries in KQL · Behavioral analysis techniques · Detecting suspicious activities · Pattern and sequence analysis
Threat Intelligence Integration
IOC Matching & Hunt-to-Detection
Using threat intelligence feeds · IOC matching and enrichment · Intelligence-driven detection ideas · Hunt-to-detection conversion
9Module 9: Automation and Response
Automate repetitive SOC tasks to reduce MTTR and improve consistency of response.
Automation Basics
Playbooks & Logic Apps
Security automation fundamentals · Playbooks in Sentinel · Logic Apps integration · Trigger and action design patterns
Response Workflows
Auto-Remediation & Containment
Automated response workflows · Incident auto-remediation concepts · Containment and notification actions · Approval-driven response gates
Automation Governance
Versioning, Testing & Auditability
Playbook versioning and testing · Error handling and retry strategies · Auditability and control checks · SOC integration best practices
10Module 10: Dashboards and Visualization
Present actionable insights to SOC teams, managers, and stakeholders through workbooks and reports.
Workbook Design
SOC & Threat Intelligence Dashboards
Creating workbooks · SOC dashboards · Threat intelligence dashboards · KPI-first design strategy
Visualization and Reporting
Operational & Executive Reporting
Custom visualization techniques · Operational and executive reporting · Alert and incident trend views · Hunt and detection performance dashboards
Capstone Outcome
End-to-End Sentinel SOC Dashboard
Build an end-to-end Sentinel SOC dashboard · Present incident lifecycle metrics · Map detection coverage to MITRE ATT&CK · Create role-based security reporting packs
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Program Details
Duration
6-8 Weeks
Mode
Online (Online)
Experience Level
Beginner to Intermediate