– Understand what network security is and its importance.
– Learn about common threats.
– Research a recent network attack (e.g., ransomware) and analyze it.
– Intro to Networking by Cisco, Cybersecurity blogs.
– Networking Basics Learn TCP/IP, OSI model, DNS, DHCP, IP addressing, and routing basics.
– Create a network topology using a simulation tool.
– Cisco Packet Tracer, Wireshark.

– Understand the role of firewalls in network security.
– Learn types of firewalls (hardware/software).
– Configure a basic firewall rule set.
– pfSense, Cisco Firepower.
– Packet Analysis
– Learn how to capture and analyze network packets.
– Understand protocols like HTTP, FTP.
– Use Wireshark to analyze packet captures from a test network.
– Wireshark tutorials.

– Understand principles of access control (RBAC, ABAC) and authentication methods.
– Configure role-based access for a small network.
– Windows/Linux server tools, Active Directory.
– VPNs and Secure Tunneling
– Learn VPN basics, types (IPSec, SSL), and tunneling protocols.
– Set up and test a VPN connection.
– OpenVPN, Cisco AnyConnect.

– Learn about IDS/IPS, detection methods (signature-based, anomaly-based).
– Simulate an intrusion and detect it using Snort.
– Snort, Suricata.
– Network Segmentation
– Understand VLANs, DMZs, and segmentation benefits for security.
– Create and configure VLANs on a simulated network.
– Cisco Packet Tracer.

 – Learn about wireless protocols (WPA3, WEP) and threats like rogue APs, de-auth attacks.
 – Configure secure Wi-Fi settings and analyze potential threats.
 – Aircrack-ng, Kismet.
 – Securing Remote Access
 – Understand risks of remote access.
 – Learn about SSH, RDP, and secure configurations.
 – Set up an SSH server and configure it securely.
 – OpenSSH, PuTTY.

– Learn about threat detection methods and response strategies.
– Configure logging and monitoring on a small network.
– Splunk, ELK Stack.
– Incident Response Basics
– Understand the incident response lifecycle (NIST model).
– Create a basic incident response plan for a network breach.
– NIST Incident Response Guide.

– Learn about system updates, patch management, and minimizing attack surfaces.
– Harden a server by disabling unnecessary services and ports.
– Windows/Linux hardening guides.
– Physical Security of Networks
– Understand the importance of physical security (data centers, server rooms).
– Design a physical security plan for a small office network.
– Security policy templates.

– Learn how DDoS attacks work and strategies for mitigation (rate limiting, firewalls).
– Simulate and mitigate a small-scale DDoS attack.
– Cloudflare, AWS Shield (for simulations).
– Log Management and SIEM Tools
– Understand centralized logging and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM).
– Set up a Splunk instance to monitor network activity logs.
– Splunk Free Edition, Graylog.

– Learn about digital certificates, SSL/TLS, and certificate authorities.
– Configure HTTPS for a website using a self-signed certificate.
– OpenSSL, Let’s Encrypt.
– Endpoint Security
– Learn about endpoint protection strategies (antivirus, EDR tools).
– Deploy antivirus and EDR tools on a simulated network.
– CrowdStrike, Windows Defender.

 – Explore tools like Nmap, Metasploit, and Nessus for vulnerability scanning.
– Perform a vulnerability scan on a test network.
– Nmap, Nessus.
– Penetration Testing Basics
– Learn how penetration testing is conducted on networks.
– Conduct a basic network penetration test.
– Kali Linux, Metasploit.

 – Understand cloud-specific network security challenges and solutions.
– Implement a secure AWS VPC with security groups and IAM roles.
– AWS Free Tier, Azure, GCP.
– Zero Trust Security
– Learn about zero-trust models and micro-segmentation.
– Design a zero-trust model for a fictional organization.
– Industry whitepapers and blogs.

– Apply all skills learned to secure a simulated network.
– Identify vulnerabilities, implement security solutions, and prepare a report.
– Tools from the course.
– Review and Certification Prep
– Prepare for certifications like CompTIA Security+, CEH, or Cisco CCNA Security.
– Take a mock exam for the chosen certification.
– Official certification guides and practice tests.

1. Mini-Projects:
– Configure firewalls, IDS, and VPNs.
– Analyze network packets and simulate attacks.
2. Capstone Project:
– Secure a multi-layered network with configurations for firewalls, VPNs, and IDS.
– Create a detailed report with diagrams, configurations, and security measures