Cisco Firepower Fundamentals from Pluralsight

The importance of network security has increased substantially in recent years with attacks becoming more sophisticated. To defeat these, you need a specialist product like Cisco Firepower and you need to know how to configure it.

Imagine it's a Friday afternoon and as you are getting ready to leave for the weekend, you discover that an employee within your company has just inadvertently downloaded some malware that is causing untold damage to your organization's network. What you need to prevent such a scenario is a solution that will protect your network against attacks, intrusion, and malware even when the data is encrypted. What you need is Cisco Firepower. In this course, Cisco Firepower Fundamentals, you will get an overview of what makes up a Firepower solution. First, you will learn how to manage Firepower threat defense appliances located in branch offices, and how Firepower can scan downloaded files for malware. Next, you will explore how to configure Firepower to protect your network against intrusion techniques before looking at how to block traffic from specific website categories. Finally, you will discover how Firepower appliances can decrypt SSL encrypted traffic. When you are finished with this course, you will have the skills and knowledge to configure and support a complete Firepower solution on your corporate network.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

Deploying a Firepower Module on an ASA

Protecting Your Network Against Malware

Preventing Network Intrusion

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores Cisco Firepower, an industry standard in network security

Taught by Martin Brown, recognized for their work in network security

Develops skills in configuring and supporting a Firepower solution, which are core skills for network security professionals

Covers topics such as malware protection, intrusion prevention, and SSL decryption, which are highly relevant to network security

Includes hands-on labs and interactive materials, which can enhance learning

Requires extensive background knowledge in network security

Reviews summary

Cisco firepower: practical network security fundamentals

According to students, Cisco Firepower Fundamentals is a solid introductory course primarily aimed at network professionals. Learners frequently commend the instructor's clear explanations and the invaluable hands-on labs and practical exercises that effectively bridge theory with application, especially for topics like SSL decryption and malware protection. While many find it an excellent foundation for managing corporate network security, a few reviewers suggest it could offer deeper technical configuration details and might assume some prior knowledge. Overall, it's considered highly practical for those looking to get started and build a solid base.

Instructor provides clear, concise, and easy-to-follow explanations.

"The instructor's explanations were incredibly clear and concise, making complex topics like SSL decryption easy to understand."

"The instructor knows their stuff and is very clear and easy to follow."

"Everything was explained perfectly... this is precisely what I needed."

Course excels in practical application with labs and demonstrations.

"The hands-on labs were invaluable and truly solidified my understanding."

"The practical exercises are well-designed and really help in applying the theoretical knowledge."

"The real-world examples provided by the instructor were very helpful. It helped me bridge the gap between theory and practical application."

A few reviewers noted inconsistent audio or minor lab environment issues.

"Some of the audio quality in the videos was inconsistent, which was a bit distracting."

"I encountered a couple of minor issues with specific older software versions in the lab environment that took a bit of troubleshooting."

Some feel the course occasionally assumes prior familiarity with Firepower.

"I felt it sometimes glossed over certain details too quickly, assuming some prior knowledge."

"It's a decent starting point, but don't expect to be an expert after this alone."

"Some of the demos moved a bit fast."

Good for fundamentals, but some desire more advanced technical depth.

"While it covers the fundamentals well, I do feel that for more advanced scenarios or deeper dives, one would need to consult additional resources."

"Disappointed with the depth... I was expecting more technical configuration details."

"Decent overview, but I felt some topics could have been explored in more depth."

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 Cisco Firepower Fundamentals with these activities:

Review networking fundamentals

Show steps

Refresh your knowledge of networking basics to enhance your understanding of network security concepts.

Browse courses on Networking Fundamentals

Show steps

Review online resources on networking fundamentals
Complete practice questions and exercises
Attend a refresher course or workshop

Learn the fundamentals of Cisco Firepower

Show steps

Review the basics of Cisco Firepower to strengthen your understanding of the course material.

Browse courses on Cisco Firepower

Show steps

Watch online videos on Cisco Firepower
Read articles and documentation on Cisco Firepower
Complete hands-on labs on Cisco Firepower

Volunteer with a non-profit organization focused on network security

Show steps

Apply your knowledge and support a good cause by volunteering with an organization dedicated to network security.

Browse courses on Volunteering

Show steps

Identify non-profit organizations that focus on network security
Contact the organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Attend volunteer training and orientation
Participate in volunteer activities

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Configure and manage Cisco Firepower

Show steps

Practice configuring and managing Cisco Firepower to enhance your practical skills.

Show steps

Set up a Cisco Firepower device
Configure access control policies
Monitor and troubleshoot Cisco Firepower

Attend industry conferences and meetups on network security

Show steps

Engage with industry professionals and learn about the latest advancements in network security.

Show steps

Network with other attendees and speakers
Identify relevant industry conferences and meetups
Register and attend the events

Design a network security solution using Cisco Firepower

Show steps

Apply your knowledge by designing a comprehensive network security solution using Cisco Firepower to demonstrate your understanding of the course concepts.

Browse courses on Network Security

Show steps

Identify network security requirements
Design a network security architecture
Select and configure Cisco Firepower devices
Document the network security solution

Create a presentation on a Cisco Firepower topic

Show steps

Synthesize your knowledge and demonstrate your understanding by creating a presentation on a topic related to Cisco Firepower.

Browse courses on Presentations

Show steps

Choose a presentation topic
Research and gather information
Create presentation slides
Practice and deliver the presentation

Career center

Learners who complete Cisco Firepower Fundamentals will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Network Security Engineer

Network Security Engineers plan, implement, and maintain security measures to protect computer networks and data from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course can help prepare you for this role by providing you with the skills and knowledge necessary to configure and support a Cisco Firepower solution on your corporate network. This will allow you to protect your network against attacks, intrusion, and malware, even when the data is encrypted. This course may also be helpful for those who wish to pursue a career as a Network Security Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Security Engineer

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts plan and implement security measures to protect an organization's computer networks and information systems. This course can help prepare you for this role by providing you with the skills and knowledge necessary to configure and support a Cisco Firepower solution on your corporate network. This will allow you to protect your network against attacks, intrusion, and malware, even when the data is encrypted. This course may also be helpful to those who wish to pursue a career as a Network Security Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Security Architect

Security Architects design, implement, and maintain security measures to protect an organization's computer networks and information systems. This course can help prepare you for this role by providing you with the skills and knowledge necessary to configure and support a Cisco Firepower solution on your corporate network. This will allow you to protect your network against attacks, intrusion, and malware, even when the data is encrypted. This course may also be helpful for those who wish to pursue a career as a Network Security Analyst or Information Security Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Architect

Network Administrator

Network Administrators plan, implement, and maintain computer networks. This course can help prepare you for this role by providing you with the skills and knowledge necessary to configure and support a Cisco Firepower solution on your corporate network. This will allow you to protect your network against attacks, intrusion, and malware, even when the data is encrypted.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator

IT Manager

IT Managers plan, implement, and maintain computer systems and networks for an organization. This course can help prepare you for this role by providing you with the skills and knowledge necessary to configure and support a Cisco Firepower solution on your corporate network. This will allow you to protect your network against attacks, intrusion, and malware, even when the data is encrypted.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Manager

Cybersecurity Analyst

Cybersecurity Analysts plan, implement, and maintain security measures to protect an organization's computer networks and information systems from cyberattacks. This course can help prepare you for this role by providing you with the skills and knowledge necessary to configure and support a Cisco Firepower solution on your corporate network. This will allow you to protect your network against attacks, intrusion, and malware, even when the data is encrypted.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Analyst

Cloud Security Engineer

Cloud Security Engineers design, implement, and maintain security measures to protect an organization's cloud-based computer networks and information systems. This course can help prepare you for this role by providing you with the skills and knowledge necessary to configure and support a Cisco Firepower solution on your corporate network. This will allow you to protect your network against attacks, intrusion, and malware, even when the data is encrypted.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Security Engineer

Penetration Tester

Penetration Testers evaluate the security of computer networks and information systems by simulating cyberattacks. This course can help prepare you for this role by providing you with the skills and knowledge necessary to configure and support a Cisco Firepower solution on your corporate network. This will allow you to protect your network against attacks, intrusion, and malware, even when the data is encrypted.

See salaries and explore the career path for Penetration Tester

Network Operations Engineer

Network Operations Engineers plan, implement, and maintain computer networks. This course can help prepare you for this role by providing you with the skills and knowledge necessary to configure and support a Cisco Firepower solution on your corporate network. This will allow you to protect your network against attacks, intrusion, and malware, even when the data is encrypted.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Operations Engineer

IT Consultant

IT Consultants provide advice and support to organizations on the planning, implementation, and maintenance of computer networks and information systems. This course can help prepare you for this role by providing you with the skills and knowledge necessary to configure and support a Cisco Firepower solution on your corporate network. This will allow you to protect your network against attacks, intrusion, and malware, even when the data is encrypted.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Consultant

Web Developer

Web Developers design and develop websites. This course may be helpful for those who wish to pursue a career as a Web Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. This course may be helpful for those who wish to pursue a career as a Software Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help organizations make informed decisions. This course may be helpful for those who wish to pursue a career as a Data Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Database Administrator

Database Administrators design, implement, and maintain databases. This course may be helpful for those who wish to pursue a career as a Database Administrator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts design, implement, and maintain computer systems. This course may be helpful for those who wish to pursue a career as a Systems Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst