IT and Information Security Cheat Sheets

As much as we try to be proactive about information security, IT planning, or project management, we get distracted, or procrastinate. These information security cheat sheets, checklists and templates are designed to assist IT professionals in difficult situations, even if they find themselves unprepared.

Writing Tips for IT Professionals

This cheat sheet offers practical tips for IT professionals seeking to improve their writing skills.

Tips for Creating and Managing New IT Products

This cheat sheet offers practical advice for product managers tasked with launching new information technology solutions at startups and enterprises.

Tips for Reverse-Engineering Malicious Code

This cheat sheet outlines tips for reversing malicious Windows executables via static and dynamic code analysis with the help of a debugger and a disassembler.

Tips for Getting the Right IT Job

Practical tips for finding and getting the right job in information technology:

getting-the-right-it-job-tips-preview

REMnux Usage Tips for Malware Analysis on Linux

Key tools and commands for analyzing malicious software on the REMnux Linux distribution:

remnux-malware-analysis-tips-preview

Tips for Creating a Strong Cybersecurity Assessment Report

This cheat sheet offers advice for creating a strong report as part of your penetration test, vulnerability assessment, or an information security audit.

Critical Log Review Checklist for Security Incidents

Checklist for reviewing critical logs when responding to a security incident. It can also be used for routine log review, co-authored with Anton Chuvakin:

security-incident-log-review-checklist-preview-small

Cheat Sheet for Analyzing Malicious Documents

Tips and tools for analyzing malicious documents, such as Microsoft Office, RTF and Adobe Acrobat (PDF) files:

analyzing-malicious-document-files-preview-small

Security Architecture Cheat Sheet for Internet Applications

Tips for the initial design and review of a complex Internet application's security architecture:

security-architecture-cheat-sheet-preview-small

Troubleshooting Human Communications

Communication tips for technologists, engineers, and information workers:

human-communications-cheat-sheet-preview-small

Security Incident Survey Cheat Sheet for Server Administrators

Tips for examining a potentially-compromised server to decide whether to escalate for formal incident response:

security-incident-survey-preview-small

Initial Security Incident Questionnaire for Responders

The questions the incident handler should consider asking when taking control of a qualified incident:

security-incident-questionnaire-preview-small

Network DDoS Incident Response Cheat Sheet

Advice for battling a network DDoS attack on your infrastructure:

ddos-incident-preview-small

Malware Analysis and Reverse-Engineering Cheat Sheet

Shortcuts and tips for analyzing malicious software:

reverse-engineering-preview-small

Information Security Assessment RFP Cheat Sheet

Tips for planning, issuing and reviewing RFPs for information security assessments:

security-assessment-rfp-cheat-sheet-preview-small

How to Suck at Information Security

Common information security mistakes, so you can avoid making them:

suck-at-security-cheat-sheet-preview-small

Report Template for Threat Intelligence and Incident Response

cyber-threat-intel-and-ir-report-template-small-preview

A report template and framework for for capturing key details related to a large-scale intrusion and documenting them in a comprehensive, well-structured manner.

Updated

About the Author

I transform ideas into successful outcomes, building on my 25 years of experience in cybersecurity. As the CISO at Axonius, I lead the security program to earn customers' trust. I'm also a Faculty Fellow at SANS Institute, where I author and deliver training for incident responders. The diversity of cybersecurity roles I've held over the years and the accumulated expertise, allow me to create practical solutions that drive business growth.

Learn more