Mastering Cybersecurity

Mastering Cybersecurity: A Practical Guide to Cyber Tools and Techniques (Volume 2) offers a hands-on, real-world approach to developing modern cybersecurity skills. This volume builds on foundational concepts to provide readers with practical techniques and toolsets that are essential in today’s evolving threat landscape. Each chapter dives into a critical area of cybersecurity, emphasizing applied learning through real-world scenarios, case studies, and step-by-step exercises.

This book begins with an in-depth focus on network security, guiding readers through capturing and analyzing traffic using command-line tools and understanding how attackers exploit unencrypted protocols. It then progresses to more complex attack vectors such as man-in-the-middle attacks, DNS spoofing, and email threats, reinforcing defensive strategies using tools like Wireshark and Tcpdump. The exploration of open-source intelligence (OSINT) offers a comprehensive look at harvesting digital footprints from publicly accessible data, applying techniques and tools such as Shodan, Google Dorking, and reverse image searches for real investigations. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, this book dedicates several chapters to the Internet of Things (IoT), uncovering its vulnerabilities and showcasing threat surface attack assessments through real device testing and threat mapping frameworks. Readers learn to analyze device security and apply countermeasures such as secure boot, blockchain integration, and anomaly detection.

The volume also delves into the dark web, shedding light on anonymous networks like TOR and I2P and equipping readers with methods to investigate hidden services safely. It explains how to extract intelligence using automation, analyze illicit activity, and integrate findings into broader cybersecurity frameworks. Culminating with advanced cyber threat intelligence (CTI), this book examines intelligence cycles, tools, and platforms, enabling readers to move from theory to practice. From indicator of compromise analysis and threat actor profiling to automation and incident response, readers gain the skills to leverage CTI for strategic defense.

Designed for cybersecurity students, professionals, and enthusiasts, this book offers a balanced blend of technical depth, ethical awareness, and actionable guidance. By the end, readers will not only understand key cybersecurity domains but also be prepared to apply their knowledge in practical, high-stakes environments, making them valuable assets in the fight against cyber threats.

Dr. Akashdeep Bhardwaj is working as Professor and Director at the Center of Cybersecurity (Center of Excellence) at UPES, Dehradun, India. An eminent IT Industry expert with over 28 years of experience in areas such as cybersecurity, digital forensics, and IT operations, Dr. Akashdeep mentors cyber graduates, master’s students, and doctoral students, and he leads industry projects and research in his university.

Dr. Akashdeep earned his PhD in Computer Science from Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia. He has published over 150 research works (including copyrights, patents, research papers, and authored and edited books) in highly referred international journals. He has worked as Technology Leader for several multinational organizations during his time in the IT industry. He is certified in IT, cybersecurity, and digital forensics technologies, including compliance audits, networking cybersecurity, and digital forensics, and he holds multiple industry certifications.