Network Security Fundamentals

Product Description

An introduction to the key tools and technologies used to secure network access

• Examine common security vulnerabilities and the defenses used to protect network resources
• Learn about cryptography, including modern-day techniques like 3DES, RSA, hashing, and the use of certificates
• Learn how to design, adopt, and enforce security policies
• Evaluate the nuances of secure network design
• Secure HTTP traffic by hardening operating systems, servers, and browsers
• Protect routers through administrative access policies and services
• Understand what firewalls do and how to implement them to maximum effect
• Inspect and monitor network activity with IDS
• Utilize VPNs for secure remote access
• Learn about PKI technologies
• Examine secure wireless design techniques
• Use logging and auditing tools, such as syslog, SNMP, RMON, and SAA, to manage network traffic

Companies have long been struggling with threats from the hacking community. Keeping pace with the rapid evolution of security technology and the growing complexity of threats is a challenge even in the best of times. The increased focus on security has sent IT managers and engineers scrambling to acquire the proper expertise to implement complex, multilayered solutions.

Network Security Fundamentals introduces the topic of network security in an easy-to-understand and comprehensive manner. This book is designed to provide a fundamental understanding of the various components of a network security architecture and to demonstrate how each component can be implemented to achieve best results. The book uses straightforward language to introduce topics and to show the features, mechanics, and functionality of various network security devices. A series of case studies helps illuminate concepts and shows how you can apply the concepts to solve real-world problems.

Divided into four parts, Network Security Fundamentals takes you on a tour of all the essential technologies and modern defenses at your disposal to help you maintain network uptime and data integrity. Part I covers the basics, introducing terms and concepts and laying the foundation of a solid security structure. The discussion focuses on weaknesses and vulnerabilities along with an overview of the traditional defenses used to thwart attacks. Part II examines two components of security-cryptography and security policies. Part III looks at the various security components. Separate chapters cover web security, router security, firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), remote access security, virtual private networks (VPN), Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), wireless security, and logging and auditing. Each chapter in this section is a self-contained tutorial, allowing you to skip to those topics of greatest interest or primary concern. Part IV includes several reference appendixes, including the Cisco SAFE Blueprint, NSA guidelines, and SANS policies.

Whether you are looking for an introduction to network security principles and practices or a security configuration reference, this book provides you with the invaluable insight you need to protect valuable company resources.

Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful Picks up where "Network Security First-Step" left off!, December 9, 2005 By  Mark G. Reyero "IT Consultant, CCIE 12932, an... (Annapolis, MD United States) - See all my reviews    This review is from: Network Security Fundamentals (Paperback) I picked up a copy of "Network Security Fundamentals" (ISBN 1587051672) by Gert De Laet and Gert Schauwers to add to my CCIE Security reading list. Network Security Fundamentals more or less picks up with Tom Thomas's "Network Security First-Step" (ISBN 1587200996). Whereas the Thomas book serves as an excellent introduction to securing your network, "Network Security Fundamentals" is an intermediate level network security book. It delves it more details not only network design essentials, but many other security topics such as Router Security, Firewalls, Intrusion Detection, VPNs, Remote Access, and Wireless. I found the detailed coverage on Cryptography as well as securing Web Servers especially helpful and insightful. The book includes many device configuration examples, show commands, and debug outputs. I highly recommend this book to any Network Admin interested in securing his/her network as well as any potential CCIE Security candidates out there! Mark... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you?  Report abuse | Permalink  Comment 6 of 7 people found the following review helpful A good start, but weak on Layer-2 defenses, June 7, 2007 By  Jeremy NeeDLE (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Network Security Fundamentals (Paperback) First of all, let me state that this review is primarily in context of Cisco's 642-552 exam, since as of this writing, this is really the only book on their Recommended Reading for this particular exam. There are no Exam Certification series from Cisco for this specific exam, which is the foundation of their CCSP and Security Specialization certifications. What is good about this title is coverage of security policy, vpn's, ids, firewalls, wireless, and PKI. Good introduction, and decent configuration examples. Certainly enough to get even a neophyte up and running. So what is this title missing? #1 SDM [Security Device Manager] configuration examples & exercises. Chances are if you're a newbie, you're going to be much more comfortable using the Browser-based GUI rather than the IOS Command Line. Additionally ALL the simulations for the 552 exam are based around SDM configuration. I would recommend you download SDM documentation from Cisco's website if... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you?  Report abuse | Permalink  Comment 6 of 7 people found the following review helpful Finally, a thorough overview of the topic, September 6, 2004 By  Stephen Kalman "techauthor" (Hawley, Pa USA) - See all my reviews       This review is from: Network Security Fundamentals (Paperback) I was privileged to be one of the tech editors for this book. This is a great book for two audiences. 1. The network engineer who wants to explore the world of network security before selecting a niche to focus on 2. The CIO who wants to understand what the CISO and other security folks are talking about. The coverage is wide and just deep enough. The book is a job well done. By the way, my security certifications are CISSP, CEH and CHFI. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you?  Report abuse | Permalink  Comment

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Praise For Network Security Fundamentals

Network Security Fundamentals
Reviewer Name: Mark Reyero
Reviewer Certification: CCIE No. 12932

Picks up where Network Security First-Step left off!

I picked up a copy of Network Security Fundamentals by Gert De Laet and Gert Schauwers to add to my CCIE Security reading list. Network Security Fundamentals more or less picks up with Tom Thomas' Network Security First-Step (ISBN: 1587200996). Whereas the Thomas book serves as an excellent introduction to securing your network, Network Security Fundamentals is an intermediate level network security book. It delves into more details not only on network design essentials, but many other security topics such as router security, firewalls, intrusion detection, VPNs, remote access, and wireless.

I found the detailed coverage on cryptography and securing web servers especially helpful and insightful. The book includes many device configuration examples, show commands, and debug outputs. I highly recommend this book to any network admin interested in securing his/her network as well as any potential CCIE Security candidates out there!

Index

Download - 259 KB -- Index

Table of Contents

I. INTRODUCTION.

1. Network Security Overview.

    Defining Trust.

    Most Trusted.

    Less Trusted.

    Least Trusted.

    Weaknesses and Vulnerabilities.

    Responsibilities for Network Security.

    Security Objectives.

    Conclusion.

    Q&A.

2. Understanding Vulnerabilities–The Need for Security.

    Risk and Vulnerability.

    TCP/IP Suite Weaknesses.

    IP.

    TCP.

    TCP/IP Security Issues.

    Countermeasures.

    Buffer Overflows.

    Buffer Overflow Mechanisms.

    Buffer Overflow Protection.

    Countermeasures.

    Spoofing Techniques.

    Address Resolution Protocol Spoofing.

    Domain Name Service Spoofing.

    Countermeasures.

    Social Engineering.

    Techniques.

    Countermeasures.

    Conclusion.

    Q&A.

3. Understanding Defenses.

    Digital IDs.

    Intrusion Detection System.

    PC Card—Based Solutions.

    Security Cards.

    Hardware Keys.

    PC Encryption Cards.

    Physical Security.

    Outside and External Security.

    Internal Security.

    Disaster-Recovery Plans.

    Personnel Awareness.

    Encrypted Login.

    Secure Shell Protocol.

    Kerberos Encrypted Login Sessions.

    Secure Socket Layer (HTTP versus HTTPS).

    Firewalls.

    Reusable Passwords.

    Weaknesses.

    Sample Password Policy.

    Antivirus Software.

    Encrypted Files.

    Biometrics.

    Fingerprint Scanning.

    Voice Recognition.

    Typing Biometrics.

    Face Recognition.

    Signature Recognition.

    Conclusion.

    Q&A.

II. BUILDING BLOCKS.

4. Cryptography.

    Cryptography versus Cryptanalysis.

    Manual Systems.

    Crypto Machines.

    Computers.

    Modern-Day Techniques.

    Symmetric Key Algorithms.

    Asymmetric Key Algorithms.

    Hashing Algorithms.

    Secure Socket Layer and Transport Layer Security.

    Digital Certificates.

    Conclusion.

    Q&A.

5. Security Policies.

    Defining a Security Policy?

    Importance of a Security Policy.

    Development Process.

    Incident Handling Process.

    Security Wheel.

    Sample Security Policy.

    Purpose.

    Scope.

    Policy.

    Enforcement.

    Definitions.

    Conclusion.

    Q&A.

6. Secure Design.

    Network Design–Principles.

    Top-Down Design Practices.

    Requirements and Constraints.

    Design Activities, Tools, and Techniques.

    Defense in Depth.

    Network Design–Methodology.

    Stages of the Network.

    Return on Investment.

    Physical Security Issues.

    Securing the Perimeter.

    Internal Security.

    Personnel Training.

    Survivability and Recovery.

    Switches and Hubs.

    Conclusion.

    Q&A.

III. TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES.

7. Web Security.

    Hardening.

    File Systems.

    Web Servers.

    Browsers.

    Case Study.

    Conclusion.

    Q&A.

8. Router Security.

    Basic Router Security.

    Administrative Access.

    Services.

    Router Security to Protect the Network.

    Access Lists.

    Enhanced Access Lists.

    CBAC.

    Case Study.

    Conclusion.

    Q&A.

    References in This Chapter.

9. Firewalls.

    Firewall Basics.

    Different Types of Firewalls.

    Hardware Firewalls: PIX and NetScreen.

    Check Point Software Firewalls.

    Enhancements for Firewalls.

    NAT.

    Proxy Services.

    Content Filters.

    Antivirus Software.

    Case Study: Placing Filtering Routers and Firewalls.

    Summary.

    Q&A.

10. Intrusion Detection System Concepts.

    Introduction to Intrusion Detection.

    IDS Fundamentals.

    Evasion and Antievasion Techniques.

    Organizational Issues and Complications.

    Host-Based IDSs.

    Host Sensor Components and Architecture.

    Deploying Host-Based Intrusion Detection in the Network.

    Network-Based IDSs.

    Network Sensor Components and Architecture.

    Deploying Network-Based Intrusion Detection in the Network.

    Notification and Reporting.

    IDS Management Communications–Monitoring‡the‡Network.

    Communication Syntax–RDEP.

    Out-of-Band Management.

    In-Band Management.

    Sensor Maintenance.

    Case Study: Deployment of IDS Sensors in‡the‡Organization and Their Typical Placement.

    IDS Placement on the Network Blueprint.

    IDS Sensor Initialization and Configuration.

    IDS Tuning.

    Network Under Attack–IDS Event Viewer.

    IDS Active Responses in Action–Blocking a Host.

    Conclusion.

    Q&A.

    11. Remote Access.

    AAA Model.

    Authentication.

    Authorization.

    Accounting.

    AAA Servers.

    TACACS+ Overview.

    RADIUS Overview.

    TACACS+ versus RADIUS.

    Kerberos.

    Lock-and-Key Feature.

    Two-Factor Identification.

    Case Study: Configuring Secure Remote Access.

    TACACS+ Configuration Task List.

    Router COMMSROOM1 Setup and Configuration for This Scenario.

    Test and Troubleshoot Configuration for This Scenario.

    Summary.

    Q&A.

12. Virtual Private Networks.

    Generic Routing Encapsulation Tunnels.

    IP Security.

    Encryption.

    Data Integrity.

    Origin Authentication.

    Antireplay Protection.

    Protocol Framework.

    Tunnel or Transport Mode.

    Transform Sets.

    VPNs with IPSec.

    Case Study: Remote Access VPN.

    Conclusion.

    Q&A.

13. Public Key Infrastructure.

    Public Key Distribution.

    Trusted Third Party.

    PKI Topology.

    Enrollment Procedure.

    Revocation Procedure.

    Case Study: Creating Your Own CA.

    Conclusion.

    Q&A.

14. Wireless Security.

    Different WLAN Configurations.

    What Is a WLAN?

    How Wireless Works.

    WLAN Architecture.

    Setting Up the WLAN Connection.

    Risks of Open Wireless Ports.

    SSID Vulnerabilities.

    Open Authentication Vulnerabilities.

    Shared Key Authentication Vulnerabilities.

    EAP Protocol and the 802.11i Standard.

    War-Driving and War-Chalking.

    SAFE WLAN Design Techniques and Considerations.

    Case Study: Adding Wireless Solutions to a Secure Network.

    Conclusion.

    Q&A.

15. Logging and Auditing.

    Logging.

    SYSLOG.

    Simple Network Management Protocol.

    SNMP Notifications.

    SNMP Versions.

    SNMP Configuration.

    Remote Monitoring.

    Service Assurance Agent.

    Case Study.

    Conclusion.

    Q&A.

IV. APPENDIXES.

Appendix A: SAFE Blueprint.

Appendix B: SANS Policies.

Appendix C: NSA Guidelines.

Appendix D: Answers to Chapter Q&A.

Bibliography.

Books.

Website References.

Downloadable Sample Chapter

Download - 1.69 MB -- Chapter 14: Wireless Security