Network and operating system security technologies are evolving rapidly and there is increasing demand for qualified security specialists. This module provides you with job-ready practical skills and best security practices used by industry. It embeds, partially, the knowledge required for the Cisco Edge Network Security Solutions (SENSS) (300-206) exam, part of the Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP Security) certification. Passing the exam demonstrates to potential employers a professionalism and expertise in the network security field.

1. DEMONSTRATE A SYSTEMATIC UNDERSTANDING AND CRITICALLY EVALUATE VARIOUS NETWORK AND OPERATING SYSTEM SECURITY STRATEGIES.
Knowledge and Understanding, Analysis

2. INSTALL, CONFIGURE AND EVALUATE NETWORK SECURITY TECHNOLOGIES BASED ON GIVEN SECURITY POLICY AND NETWORK REQUIREMENTS, ACCORDING TO INDUSTRY STANDARDS USING COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT.
Problem Solving, Communication, Application

3. DEMONSTRATE CRITICAL ABILITY TO RESEARCH, IDENTIFY AND IMPLEMENT VARIOUS OPERATING SYSTEM SECURITY TECHNOLOGIES IN ORDER TO COUNTER OPERATING SYSTEM VULNERABILITIES. Application, Problem Solving

Assignment 1 –
A student portfolio of work covering Learning Outcomes 1 and 3. The portfolio will require students to look at operating system security strategies, and carry out research related to these.

Assignment 2 –
A practical assessment covering Learning Outcomes 1 and 2, where the student will complete several practical implementation operations.

The Advanced Networks and Operating System Security module helps students to master the topics related to network and operating system security technologies. The module focuses on the application of security principles with regard to firewall technologies, configuring Advanced authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) features, and deploying and managing VPN solutions. Also it teaches you the latest security industry recommendations and provides instruction on how to properly protect and harden Windows and Linux servers in a variety of settings and roles.

26 hours lectures, 26 hours labs/tutorials

The module will be delivered using a combination of independent research, lectures and tutorials. The lectures are intended to give the theory work and the tutorials are an opportunity to test out the theories. The lectures are based on the official Cisco material but have been adapted for student needs. Students will be also provided with a lab manual which they can work through in the tutorials.

Lecturers will provide specific notes and additional sources to help with the students learning.

Hucaby D. Garneau D. and Sequeira A.; (2012), CCNP Security FIREWALL 642-618 Official Cert Guide; Cisco Press, ISBN-10: 1-58714-271-6; ISBN-13: 978-1-58714-271-0

Hooper, H. (2012), CCNP Security VPN 642-648 Official Cert Guide, 2nd Edition; Cisco Press, ISBN-10: 1-58720-447-9; ISBN-13: 978-1-58720-447-0

Kali Linux penetration testing platform - https://www.kali.org/
Online Library Resources - http://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/libraryresources
Specialist networking laboratory with Cisco equipment including Cisco ASAs
Hosted hypervisors installed on lab machines

Pre-requisites Networking Concepts and Cyber Security