DFIR (Digital Forensics & Incident Response)
Learn how to investigate cyber incidents, collect and preserve digital evidence, and coordinate a real-world incident response from first alert to final report.
Overview
DFIR combines two critical capabilities: Digital Forensics (finding out what happened on systems and networks) and Incident Response (containing, eradicating and recovering from security incidents).
This course is designed to feel like real work inside a SOC / incident response team. You’ll walk through malware outbreaks, credential theft, insider abuse and web application breaches, learning how to collect evidence, analyze artefacts and help management make decisions under pressure.
Who this is for
- SOC analysts who want to go deeper into investigations.
- Blue-teamers and security engineers handling incidents.
- System / network admins who are “incident owners” in small orgs.
- Students aiming for DFIR, SOC, or cyber forensics careers.
What you’ll be able to do
- Handle an incident from first alert until closure.
- Perform triage on Windows & Linux systems and key log sources.
- Collect, preserve and analyze digital evidence safely.
- Document timelines and write incident reports decision-makers understand.
Hands-on, realistic DFIR
Instead of only learning tools in isolation, you’ll follow complete incident storylines: suspicious login → lateral movement → data exfiltration. You’ll practice thinking like a responder: what do we check first, what to contain, what to preserve, and how to avoid destroying evidence accidentally.
Curriculum
The curriculum progresses from foundational DFIR concepts to full incident lifecycle handling, with emphasis on repeatable methods (not just tool clicks).
Module 1
Introduction to DFIR & Incident Lifecycle
Roles in DFIR teams, typical incident lifecycle (prepare, detect, analyze, contain, eradicate, recover, lessons learned). How DFIR fits with SOC, red teams, management and legal/compliance functions.
Module 2
Evidence, Chain of Custody & Legal Awareness
Types of digital evidence (volatile vs non-volatile), integrity, hash values, chain of custody records, and why proper documentation matters. We discuss working with HR, legal and external agencies without leaking sensitive data.
Module 3
Windows Forensics Fundamentals
Key artefacts on Windows endpoints: event logs, registry, prefetch, services, startup locations, scheduled tasks, browser artefacts, and user profiles. How attackers typically abuse these, and how responders read them.
Module 4
Linux & Server Forensics Fundamentals
Important paths and logs on Linux/UNIX servers: syslog, auth logs, service logs, configuration files, cron, SSH usage, and common persistence techniques. How to safely capture and analyze these in an investigation.
Module 5
Network & Log-Centric Investigations
Using network data (firewall logs, proxy logs, NetFlow/PCAP, DNS logs) to identify C2 traffic, data exfiltration patterns, lateral movement and scanning. Pivoting between endpoint and network evidence to confirm hypotheses.
Module 6
Triage Methods & Rapid Scoping
How to quickly answer: “What is impacted? How bad is it? What do we do first?” Endpoint triage, log-based triage, and scoping multiple hosts or user accounts under time pressure.
Module 7
Containment, Eradication & Recovery
Different containment strategies (account lockdown, host isolation, network blocking) and their pros/cons. Removing malware, closing attacker access, and planning safe recovery without reintroducing the threat.
Module 8
Malware & Tooling Overview (Blue-team Focus)
How common malware families and attacker tools behave on disk, in memory and on the network. We focus on IOC (Indicators of Compromise) extraction and how to use them across SIEM, EDR and network defenses.
Module 9
Timelines, Reporting & Lessons Learned
Building clear incident timelines, mapping actions to MITRE ATT&CK, and writing reports for both technical and non-technical audiences. We also cover post-incident reviews and using incidents to drive long-term security improvements instead of just “closing tickets”.
Labs & Casework
Labs are designed as mini-cases. You’ll receive simulated alerts, partial logs, and endpoint snapshots, and then work towards findings and recommendations, just like a real DFIR engagement.
Endpoint Compromise Case
Work on a compromised workstation/server: identify suspicious processes, login activity, persistence mechanisms and possible data access. Document findings and prepare a containment plan.
Credential Theft & Lateral Movement Case
Investigate unusual logins and privilege escalation across multiple hosts. Use logs and artefacts to trace attacker movement, affected accounts and systems, and propose remediation steps.
Web Application & Data Exfiltration Case
Analyze web logs, proxy logs and server artefacts after a suspected web attack. Identify exploit path, data access patterns and exfiltration indicators, then suggest both immediate fixes and longer-term defenses.
Prerequisites
Recommended background
- Basic understanding of operating systems (Windows and/or Linux).
- Familiarity with common security concepts (malware, phishing, logs).
- Some exposure to networking (IP, ports, basic protocols) is helpful.
Tools & mindset
- A laptop/PC capable of running analysis tools and (optionally) VMs.
- Curiosity to dig into logs, artefacts and timelines patiently.
- Discipline to document steps carefully — DFIR is documentation-heavy.
If you’re unsure about your readiness, SmartFind can recommend a small foundation path before you jump into full DFIR labs.
Outcomes
After this course, you won’t look at “security incidents” as vague scary events. You’ll have a method to investigate, communicate and help organizations recover.
Investigation confidence
You’ll know where to start, what artefacts to pull, and how to build a timeline instead of randomly opening logs and tools.
Better SOC / IR performance
Your incident notes, escalation summaries and closure reports will become clearer, helping the entire team and management make faster decisions.
Career-ready DFIR skills
DFIR exposure makes your profile stronger for SOC, incident response, cyber forensics, blue-team engineering and consulting roles.
Schedule & Delivery
DFIR can run as a standalone specialization or part of a broader SmartFind blue-team track (SOC + SIEM + Incident Response). Batch dates and formats are flexible.
| Mode | Duration | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend cohort | 4–6 weeks | DFIR-focused sessions with extensive case-based labs on Sat–Sun. |
| Weekday evenings | 3–5 weeks | Short, high-intensity sessions plus self-paced lab work with mentor support. |
| Custom / team batch | Flexible | Tailored around your current security stack, playbooks, and industry (e.g., fintech, SaaS, manufacturing). |
Pricing / Engagement Options
Pricing varies with batch size, delivery mode and whether DFIR is combined with other SmartFind courses like SOC & SIEM, Firewall/IDS/IPS, or Cyber Forensics.
Individual learners
Ideal for security professionals and students who want real DFIR experience and case-based learning, not just theory.
Ask for current fee →Security / SOC teams
Custom DFIR training mapped to your environment, including sample incidents based on your real threats and architecture.
Get team pricing →Academic / partner tracks
Integrate DFIR into degree or diploma programs so students graduate with hands-on investigation and incident handling experience.
Talk to us →FAQs
I’ve never done DFIR before. Is this course too advanced?
We start from fundamentals and build up. Basic OS and security knowledge is expected, but we don’t assume prior DFIR experience. Where needed, we share pre-course material so you can catch up.
Do we use specific commercial tools?
We focus on approaches and artefacts first, then show how similar workflows look in common tools (SIEM, EDR, forensic utilities). For team batches, we can align labs to your actual tooling.
Will I get case files or templates to reuse later?
Yes. You’ll receive investigation checklists, evidence sheets, timeline templates and sample report structures that you can adapt in your work.
Are the sessions recorded?
For most cohorts, yes. Exact details (access duration, platform, restrictions) will be shared when you enroll in a specific batch.
Want to build real DFIR skills with SmartFind?
Reach out for upcoming DFIR batches, custom blue-team programs, or help designing a complete SOC / incident response training roadmap.
Talk to us