Cybersecurity Lab - Building a Live SOC + Honeynet in Azure

Introduction

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to build a live Security Operations Center (SOC) with a Honeynet in Azure. This setup is crucial for monitoring and responding to cybersecurity threats effectively. By utilizing Azure's cloud capabilities, you can create a robust environment for security analysis and incident response.

Step 1: Set Up Your Azure Environment

1. Create an Azure Account

   • Sign up or log in to your Azure portal.
   • Ensure you have the necessary permissions to create resources.

2. Create Resource Group

   • Navigate to the "Resource Groups" section.
   • Click on "Add" to create a new resource group.
   • Name the resource group (e.g., "SOC-Honeynet") and select the appropriate region.

3. Create a Virtual Network

   • Go to "Virtual Networks" and click "Add."
   • Fill out the required fields, including name, address space (e.g., 10.0.0.0/16), and select the resource group created earlier.
   • Configure subnets as needed for your SOC and Honeynet.

Step 2: Deploy Honeypots

1. Choose Honeypot Solutions

   • Select a honeypot solution (e.g., Cowrie, Dionaea) based on your goals.
   • Ensure the chosen solution is compatible with Azure.

2. Deploy the Honeypot

   • Go to the "Marketplace" in Azure and search for your selected honeypot solution.
   • Click "Create" and fill in the deployment details, ensuring it's in the correct resource group and virtual network.

3. Configure Security Rules

   • Navigate to "Network Security Groups" (NSG) associated with the honeypot.
   • Add inbound security rules to allow specific traffic (e.g., SSH, HTTP) relevant to the honeypot.

Step 3: Set Up Monitoring and Alerts

1. Enable Azure Monitor

   • Go to "Monitor" in the Azure portal.
   • Set up alerts based on specific metrics (e.g., CPU usage, network traffic).

2. Configure Log Analytics

   • Create a Log Analytics workspace.
   • Link your honeypot and other resources to this workspace for centralized logging.

3. Set Up Alerts

   • Define alert rules based on log queries to receive notifications when suspicious activity is detected.

Step 4: Implement Security Analytics

1. Use Azure Sentinel

   • Deploy Azure Sentinel for advanced security analytics.
   • Connect your Log Analytics workspace to Azure Sentinel.

2. Create Analytics Rules

   • Set up detection rules in Azure Sentinel based on your security needs.
   • Use built-in templates or customize rules to fit your honeynet's data.

Step 5: Testing and Validation

1. Simulate Attacks

   • Conduct controlled attack simulations on your honeypots to test the effectiveness of your setup.
   • Monitor alerts and logs to ensure everything is functioning as expected.

2. Review Security Posture

   • Analyze the collected data to identify any weaknesses in your SOC setup.
   • Adjust configurations and rules as necessary for optimal performance.

Conclusion

Building a live SOC with a Honeynet in Azure is a vital step in enhancing your cybersecurity posture. By following these steps, you will have a robust environment for monitoring threats. Next, consider integrating additional security tools or conducting regular training to keep your skills sharp and your systems secure. For further information, you can also explore the provided links in the video description for in-depth resources.