Forensic Methodology for Security Engineers and IR Practitioners in Linux, Cloud, and Container Environments
Incident Response: Linux Systems
Investigate compromised Linux systems from first login to full containment.
Investigate Linux incidents using the artifacts that matter — auth logs, process trees, persistence mechanisms, container escapes, and network connections. Trace SSH compromises, detect rootkits, analyze cron-based persistence, investigate container breakouts, and reconstruct attacker timelines from system logs. Whether your Linux systems are on-prem servers, cloud VMs, or container hosts, the investigation methodology finds the evidence.
What you'll be able to do
Who this course is for
“A Linux server was compromised and I don't know where to start.” You investigate Windows incidents confidently but Linux is unfamiliar territory. Different log locations, different filesystem layout, different persistence mechanisms. This course teaches the structured methodology so Linux investigations feel as natural as Windows.
“I manage Linux servers but I've never investigated one.” Sysadmins and DevOps engineers who need to respond when their systems are compromised. You already know Linux — this course adds the forensic methodology: what to collect, how to preserve evidence, and where attackers hide.
“Our containers keep getting compromised and we can't figure out how.” Container forensics: Docker socket mounts, namespace escapes, overlay2 filesystem analysis, Kubernetes pod investigation. The evidence sources are different from traditional Linux — this course covers both.
“An attacker is using 8 persistence mechanisms and I only found 2.” cron, systemd services, systemd timers, authorized_keys, .bashrc, LD_PRELOAD, rc.local, PAM backdoors. The CHAIN-FACTORY lab scenario plants all 8 — you find them using the methodology or the verification script tells you what you missed.
“The cloud VM was compromised via SSRF and I need to trace the pivot.” Cloud VM investigation: instance metadata exploitation, IAM credential theft from metadata service, cross-environment lateral movement. The investigation starts at the Linux VM and follows the attacker into the cloud provider.
“I need to investigate an SSH brute force but auth.log has 3,500 lines.” The lab pack generates realistic-volume evidence: 847 brute force attempts buried in thousands of lines of legitimate CRON, systemd, and SSH noise. Finding the indicators requires the same filtering and analysis skills you need in production.
Whatever your background — if the subject interests you and you're willing to put in the work, this course is for you.
Before and after this course
A Linux server gets compromised and you escalate to a senior analyst or an external DFIR firm because you don't have the skills to investigate it yourself.
You check /var/log/auth.log and crontab -l. The attacker used systemd timers, LD_PRELOAD, and PAM backdoors. You found 2 of 8 persistence mechanisms and declared the system clean.
The container was compromised. You can see the Docker logs but you can't trace the escape — how the attacker went from container to host, and from host to the rest of the network.
You rebuild the server instead of investigating it. The attacker's persistence in two other systems goes undiscovered because you never traced the lateral movement.
You investigate the Linux compromise yourself: evidence collection, log analysis, persistence enumeration, timeline reconstruction. The forensic report is in your CISO's inbox before the external firm answers the phone.
You check all 8 persistence locations systematically: cron, systemd services, systemd timers, authorized_keys, shell profiles, LD_PRELOAD, init scripts, PAM modules. The methodology finds what ad-hoc checking misses.
You trace the container escape: docker.sock mount, namespace breakout, host filesystem access. The overlay2 analysis shows what the attacker modified on the host after escaping the container.
You investigate first, then rebuild. The lateral movement trail leads to 2 additional compromised systems. You contain all three before reimaging. The attacker doesn't survive your investigation.
How the course works
Linux investigation from evidence collection through advanced scenarios:
Linux evidence landscape, filesystem layout, log sources, evidence collection methodology, and the DFIR collection script.
Filesystem forensics, process trees, network connections, log analysis, persistence enumeration, memory forensics with Volatility 3.
Container forensics, Docker and Kubernetes investigation, cloud VM compromise, rootkit detection, web shell analysis.
10 Northgate Engineering scenarios, timeline reconstruction, forensic reporting, cross-platform investigation with Windows IR course.
What the content looks like
This is a real analysis from the persistence enumeration module. The attacker installed 8 persistence mechanisms — here's how you find the systemd timer that runs every 5 minutes disguised as a system service.
The timer is named system-update to blend in. The service runs a hidden dotfile. The module teaches the systematic check: list non-vendor timers, inspect each unit file, verify the binary it runs, and check who created it (stat the file, check timestamps against the attack timeline). This is persistence mechanism 3 of 8.
Lab Pack — CHAIN-FACTORY Investigation
Attack scenario: SSH brute force (847 attempts) → web shell → privilege escalation → 8 persistence mechanisms → cryptominer → credential harvesting → lateral movement → container escape. All planted on your Ubuntu VM.
Included: Attack artifact generator, 30 structured labs, 4 HTML walkthroughs, 4 verification scripts, production DFIR collection script (148 lines, 12 phases).
Usage rights and disclaimer
Course materials: Licensed for individual professional development. You may not redistribute course content or share account credentials.
Investigation techniques: Apply only to systems you are authorized to investigate. Unauthorized access is criminal in most jurisdictions.
Fictional environment: All scenarios use Northgate Engineering. Any resemblance to real organizations is coincidental.
Version and changelog
Current version: 2.0 | Last updated: April 2026
v2.0 (April 2026): Lab pack rebuilt. CHAIN-FACTORY with realistic-volume evidence. 30 labs, 8 persistence mechanisms, production DFIR collection script.
v1.0 (2026): Course launch. 17 modules (LX0–LX16). 176 content subs.
This course is actively maintained as Linux and container threat patterns evolve.
End of Course Exam
Complete the course, then prove your skills under time pressure. Pass mark: 70. Earn your certificate with CPE credits.
Requires 80% course completion. One random scenario per attempt. Certificate issued on pass.