Configuring Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) NetOps Features from Pluralsight

This course will teach you how to configure features in Firepower Threat Defense that are essential to network operations.

Firewalls have been the first line of defense in network security for over 20 years but in the face of constant attacks and breaches, they’ve had to evolve. This new breed of firewalls are commonly referred to as next generation firewalls and have now become a necessity for many companies. In this course, Configuring Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) NetOps Features, you’ll learn to configure features that are most essential to the network team beyond the initial setup. First, you’ll explore the high available options in FTD and their configuration. Next, you’ll discover how to configure essential platform settings such as Quality of Service, Certificates, and so on. Finally, you’ll learn how to how to set up remote access and site-to-site VPN in Firepower. When you’re finished with this course, you’ll have the skills and knowledge of FTD needed to configure and tune these critical netops features.

Next generation firewalls are a combination of traditional firewalls and other network device filtering functions. NGFWs provide capabilities that go beyond those of traditional firewalls.

In this course, you will learn about implementing high availability, adjusting system settings, and site-to-site and remote access VPN. By the end of this course, you will know how to properly tune your NetOps settings.

Prerequisites for this course are a basic understanding of routing and a CCNA security level of knowledge.

Cybersecurity is the protection of computer systems and networks from theft, damage, and attacks. The main components to cybersecurity are: network security, application security, information security, and operational security.

Cybersecurity is essential because it is what protects sensitive data, personal information, intellectual property, and any other information you or your company want to keep private.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

Configuring High Availability and Redundancy on FTD

Tuning and Configuring Firepower System and Network Functions

Understanding and Configuring VPN on FTD

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides real-world context for essential network operations features in Firepower Threat Defense, a widely used next generation firewall solution

Taught by Katherine McNamara, who has significant experience in cybersecurity and networking

Covers crucial topics such as high availability, system settings, and VPN, which are fundamental for network security and reliability

Aimed at individuals with a basic understanding of routing and CCNA security knowledge, making it accessible to aspiring network administrators and security professionals

Requires access to Firepower Threat Defense, which may pose a barrier for those without prior experience with the platform

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Configuring Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) NetOps Features with these activities:

Participate in Class Discussions

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Engage with peers and the instructor in class discussions to exchange knowledge, clarify concepts, and deepen understanding of FTD concepts.

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Prepare for discussions by reviewing lecture materials.
Actively participate by asking questions, sharing insights, and responding to peers.

Configure FTD Access Control Lists

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Reinforce understanding of FTD access control by configuring and managing ACLs to restrict network traffic effectively.

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Identify IP addresses and traffic types to control.
Create and apply ACLs to inbound and outbound traffic.
Test ACL functionality and make necessary adjustments.
Monitor ACL activity and identify potential security issues.

Set Up VPN on FTD

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Follow guided tutorials to establish and configure VPN connections on FTD, enhancing network security and connectivity.

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Identify different VPN types and their use cases.
Configure IPsec site-to-site VPN.
Configure SSL remote access VPN.
Test VPN connectivity and troubleshoot common issues.

Four other activities

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Configure HA Firepower Devices

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Configure HA Firepower devices to prevent network disruptions and ensure continuous protection against cyber threats.

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Create a cluster of firepower devices.
Configure stateful failover.
Configure Active/Standby HA.
Monitor HA status and health.

Configure Advanced FTD Settings

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Demonstrate understanding of advanced FTD settings by creating a comprehensive configuration guide.

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Identify essential system settings to optimize network performance.
Configure QoS parameters to prioritize critical traffic.
Configure certificate management for secure communication.
Test and validate the effectiveness of the new configuration.

Create a Network Security Plan

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Develop a network security plan that incorporates FTD features to protect against cyber threats and ensure network resilience.

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Identify network security requirements and objectives.
Design a network architecture that incorporates FTD.
Configure FTD features to meet security requirements.
Implement and test the security plan.

Deploy FTD in a Production Environment

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Gain hands-on experience by deploying FTD in a production environment, ensuring optimal network protection and security.

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Plan the FTD deployment, including hardware selection and network design.
Install and configure FTD devices.
Integrate FTD with existing network infrastructure.
Monitor and manage FTD devices post-deployment.

Career center

Learners who complete Configuring Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) NetOps Features will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Network Architect

Network Architects are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining computer networks. They must consider security measures while ensuring the network meets the business's needs. This course can help you gain the skills needed to configure Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) NetOps Features, which are essential for securing and optimizing network operations. By learning how to use FTD, you can contribute to the security and efficiency of computer networks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Architect

Network Engineer

Network Engineers design, implement, and maintain computer networks. This course can help Network Engineers by providing them with the skills needed to configure Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) NetOps Features. FTD is a powerful tool that can be used to secure and optimize network operations. By learning how to use FTD, Network Engineers can improve the security and efficiency of computer networks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer

IT Security Specialist

IT Security Specialists are responsible for protecting an organization's computer systems and networks from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course can help you gain the skills needed to configure Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) NetOps Features, which are essential for securing network operations. By learning how to use FTD, you can help protect organizations from cyberattacks.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Security Specialist

Security Engineer

Security Engineers are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining security measures to protect an organization's computer systems and networks from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course can help you gain the skills needed to configure Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) NetOps Features, which are essential for securing network operations. By learning how to use FTD, you can help protect organizations from cyberattacks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Engineer

Security Analyst

Security Analysts are responsible for identifying, assessing, and mitigating security risks to an organization's computer systems and networks. This course can help you gain the skills needed to configure Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) NetOps Features, which are essential for securing network operations. By learning how to use FTD, you can help protect organizations from cyberattacks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Analyst

Network Security Engineer

Network Security Engineers are responsible for securing computer networks from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course can help you gain the skills needed to configure Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) NetOps Features, which are essential for securing network operations. By learning how to use FTD, you will be better prepared to protect computer networks from cyberattacks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Security Engineer

Cybersecurity Analyst

Cybersecurity Analysts are responsible for protecting computer systems and networks from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course can help you gain the skills needed to configure Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) NetOps Features, which are essential for securing network operations. By learning how to use FTD, you can help protect organizations from cyberattacks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Analyst

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts are responsible for protecting an organization's information assets from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course can help you gain the skills needed to configure Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) NetOps Features, which are essential for securing network operations. By learning how to use FTD, you can help protect organizations from cyberattacks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Systems Engineer

Systems Engineers are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining computer systems and networks. This course can help you gain the skills needed to configure Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) NetOps Features, which are essential for securing network operations. By learning how to use FTD, you can help ensure the security and efficiency of computer systems and networks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer

Cloud Security Engineer

Cloud Security Engineers are responsible for securing cloud-based applications and data. This course can help you gain the skills needed to configure Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) NetOps Features, which can be used to secure cloud-based networks. By learning how to use FTD, you can help protect cloud-based applications and data from cyberattacks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Security Engineer

Network Administrator

Network Administrators are responsible for managing and maintaining computer networks. This course can help Network Administrators by providing them with the skills needed to configure Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) NetOps Features. FTD is a powerful tool that can be used to secure and optimize network operations. By learning how to use FTD, Network Administrators can improve the security and efficiency of computer networks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator

Security Consultant

Security Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on how to protect their computer systems and networks from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course can help you gain the skills needed to configure Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) NetOps Features, which are essential for securing network operations. By learning how to use FTD, you can help organizations protect their networks from cyberattacks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Consultant

Security Auditor

Security Auditors are responsible for assessing the security of computer systems and networks. This course can help you gain the skills needed to configure Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) NetOps Features, which are essential for securing network operations. By learning how to use FTD, you can help organizations identify and mitigate security risks.

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Technical Support Engineer

Technical Support Engineers provide technical support to users of computer systems and networks. This course can help you gain the skills needed to configure Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) NetOps Features, which are essential for securing network operations. By learning how to use FTD, you can help users resolve technical issues and improve the security of their networks.

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IT Manager

IT Managers are responsible for planning, implementing, and managing the IT infrastructure of an organization. This course can help IT Managers by providing them with the skills needed to configure Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) NetOps Features. FTD is a powerful tool that can be used to secure and optimize network operations. By learning how to use FTD, IT Managers can improve the security and efficiency of their organization's IT infrastructure.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Manager