Level 3
1 day < 1 min
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Network and System Security

Network and System Security

A defensive survey of how networks, operating systems, and cloud infrastructure are protected against intrusion, from firewalls and encrypted tunnels to identity management, monitoring, and recovery planning.

60-Second Review

Express review

A condensed, point-by-point summary of the module, for reviewing right before a test or exam.

  1. Network Defense Fundamentals. Networking models, addressing, firewalls, IDS/IPS, VPNs, and segmentation form the base of network defense.
  2. Perimeter and Protocol Security. DMZs, protocol weaknesses, DNS security, spoofing, and man-in-the-middle attacks shape perimeter defense.
  3. Wireless and Architecture Design. Wireless standards, secure architecture principles, and network access control protect connections at the edge.
  4. Operating System Security and Access Control. OS security, Windows and Linux hardening, privilege escalation, access control models, and least privilege.
  5. Endpoint, Patch, and Cloud Security. Endpoint tools, patching, hardening, virtualization, cloud responsibility, and container security protect systems.
  6. Identity, Monitoring, and Detection. Identity management, SSO, SIEM, log monitoring, traffic analysis, and honeypots enable detection and control.
  7. Device and Supply Chain Security. IoT, mobile, BYOD, and supply chain risks, including the SolarWinds attack, challenge device security.
  8. Resilience and Defense in Depth. Air gaps, disaster recovery, and layered controls combine into a resilient defense-in-depth architecture.

This is the starting point of Network and System Security: you don't need any prior knowledge of this subject to begin.

Key points

Visual module map

1Network Defense Fundamentals
2Wireless and Architecture Design
3Endpoint, Patch, and Cloud Security
4Identity, Monitoring, and Detection
5Resilience and Defense in Depth

Alternative visual view: a simplified sequence of some of the module's key points, in their order within the syllabus.

Your module mastery

0% (overall measurement)
Approximate breakdown by skill
Understanding of historiographical debate0%

A rough estimate based on the key points reviewed, not an exact measurement of actual mastery.

Final test

You need to review all key points to unlock the final test.

Optional mini-games

Extra practice, with no penalty, to reinforce the module's content.

Review Flashcards

Review each key point with cards that flip to reveal the summary.

Memory

Match each concept with its definition in as few attempts as possible.

Time Attack

Answer true or false statements before time runs out.

Chronological Order

Put the module's key points back in their original order.

Further reading

Bibliography and cited sources used to create this module.

  • Stallings, W. and Brown, L. (2016). Network Security Essentials: Applications and Standards (6th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
  • Anderson, R. (2020). Security Engineering: A Guide to Building Dependable Distributed Systems (3rd ed.). Indianapolis: Wiley.
  • Schneier, B. (1996). Applied Cryptography: Protocols, Algorithms, and Source Code in C (2nd ed.). New York: Wiley.
  • National Institute of Standards and Technology. Special Publication 800-53, Rev. 5: Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organizations. https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/800/53/r5/upd1/final
  • National Institute of Standards and Technology. Special Publication 800-41, Rev. 1: Guidelines on Firewalls and Firewall Policy. https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/800/41/rev1/final
  • Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). "Advanced Persistent Threat Compromise of Government Agencies, Critical Infrastructure, and Private Sector Organizations." Alert AA20-352A. https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-advisories/aa20-352a