IT Security Champion: Network Security Monitoring from Pluralsight

Security is everyone’s job now more than ever. This course will teach you what Network Security Monitoring (NSM) is, what tools are used, and how it can help you become a more effective IT administrator.

In today's digital landscape, organizations face a constant barrage of cyber threats, ranging from sophisticated malware to insider attacks. Despite deploying various security measures, many organizations struggle to effectively monitor their networks for potential security incidents. This course will equip IT administrators with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand what network security monitoring tools exist, how and where they're used, and how they can use them to help defend against evolving threats. In this course, IT Security Champion: Network Security Monitoring, you’ll learn about NSM tools like packet capture analysis and how they can help increase security, in addition to troubleshooting common network and application issues. Next, you learn about Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS) and how an IT Administrator can help implement and maintain those systems. Lastly, you’ll learn about Security Incident and Event Management (SIEM) solutions and how they allow an IT admin to collect, correlate, and analyze log data to identify a wide range of incidents and issues, including security breaches. This course is tailored to introduce you to the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complex world of cybersecurity and network security monitoring, empowering you to safeguard your digital environment.

What's inside

Syllabus

IT Security Champion: Network Security Monitoring

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops skills and knowledge that are useful for personal growth and development

Taught by Christopher Rees, who are recognized for their work in network security monitoring

Explores network security monitoring, which is a core skill for IT professionals

Teaches tools and techniques that are highly relevant in an academic setting

Examines network security monitoring, which is a highly relevant topic in industry

Builds a strong foundation for beginners

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 IT Security Champion: Network Security Monitoring with these activities:

Analyze Packet Capture Files

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Analyzing packet capture files will help you develop hands-on skills in identifying and interpreting network traffic, a critical aspect of network security monitoring.

Browse courses on Packet Capture

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Obtain packet capture files from reputable sources or generate your own using network monitoring tools.
Use packet analysis tools to open and examine the capture files.
Identify different types of network traffic, such as HTTP, DNS, and TCP/IP.
Look for anomalies or suspicious patterns in the traffic.
Document your findings and write a brief report summarizing your analysis.

Read White Papers on IDS/IPS

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Reading white papers will provide hands-on practice analyzing security incidents and understanding how IDS and IPS effectively prevent them.

Browse courses on IDS

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Refer to the course material for a general overview of IDS/IPS systems.
Identify reputable sources publishing white papers on IDS/IPS technologies.
Select a few informative white papers to review, focusing on real-world case studies and technical implementation.
Read through the white papers, taking notes on key concepts, methodologies, and examples.
Summarize your findings in a short report, outlining the benefits, limitations, and best practices of IDS/IPS systems.

Write a Blog Post on Network Security Monitoring Trends

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Writing a blog post will encourage you to research and synthesize information, deepening your understanding of emerging trends in network security monitoring and their implications for IT professionals.

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Research recent advancements and trends in network security monitoring technologies.
Identify key insights and perspectives on the implications of these trends for IT professionals.
Develop an outline for your blog post, organizing your thoughts and ensuring a logical flow.
Write the blog post, clearly explaining the trends and their significance.
Publish your blog post on a relevant platform and share it with peers and professionals in the field.

Four other activities

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Attend a Security Incident Response Workshop

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Participation in a workshop will provide valuable practical experience in handling security incidents, from detection and analysis to containment and recovery.

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Identify security incident response workshops offered by industry professionals or reputable organizations.
Review the workshop agenda and ensure it aligns with your learning goals.
Register and attend the workshop, actively participating in discussions and hands-on exercises.
Obtain materials and documentation from the workshop for future reference.
Follow up with the workshop organizers or speakers to seek additional resources or clarification if needed.

Develop a Security Incident Handling Plan

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Creating a security incident handling plan will help you apply the knowledge gained in the course to a practical scenario, ensuring you can effectively respond to security incidents in real-world situations.

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Review industry best practices and guidelines for security incident handling.
Identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities relevant to your organization.
Establish clear roles and responsibilities for incident response.
Develop procedures for incident detection, containment, and recovery.
Document the plan clearly and communicate it to relevant stakeholders.

Build a Simple Intrusion Detection System

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Building a simple IDS will provide hands-on experience in designing, implementing, and deploying security monitoring systems, enhancing your understanding of practical IDS applications.

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Choose an open-source IDS framework or develop your own basic IDS logic.
Select appropriate sensors and data sources to monitor.
Establish rules and thresholds for detecting suspicious activity.
Implement the IDS and deploy it in a test environment.
Test the IDS with various attack scenarios and analyze its effectiveness.

Mentor Junior IT Professionals in Network Security

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Mentoring others allows you to reinforce your knowledge by sharing it with others, while also contributing to the development of the next generation of IT professionals in network security.

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Identify opportunities to mentor junior IT professionals, such as through local user groups, online forums, or educational institutions.
Establish clear goals and objectives for your mentoring relationship.
Share your knowledge and experience in network security monitoring, providing guidance and support.
Encourage your mentees to ask questions, explore different perspectives, and develop their own skills.
Provide feedback and constructive criticism to help your mentees grow and improve.

Career center

Learners who complete IT Security Champion: Network Security Monitoring will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Systems Security Administrator

Systems Security Administrators are responsible for managing and securing an organization's computer systems and networks. They install and configure security software, monitor networks for security breaches, and develop and implement security policies. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Systems Security Administrator. You will learn about network security monitoring tools, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and security incident and event management solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Security Administrator

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts are responsible for protecting an organization's information assets from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. They develop and implement security measures to protect against cyber attacks and data breaches. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become an effective Information Security Analyst. You will learn about network security monitoring tools, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and security incident and event management solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Security Engineer

Security Engineers design, implement, and maintain security systems to protect an organization's computer systems and networks from cyber attacks. They also develop and implement security policies and procedures. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Security Engineer. You will learn about network security monitoring tools, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and security incident and event management solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Engineer

Cybersecurity Analyst

Cybersecurity Analysts are responsible for protecting an organization's computer systems and networks from cyber attacks. They monitor networks for security breaches, develop and implement security measures, and investigate and respond to security incidents. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become an effective Cybersecurity Analyst. You will learn about network security monitoring tools, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and security incident and event management solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Analyst

Network Security Engineer

Network Security Engineers design, implement, and maintain network security systems. They also monitor networks for security breaches and develop and implement security measures to protect against future attacks. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Network Security Engineer. You will learn about network security monitoring tools, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and security incident and event management solutions.

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IT Security Analyst

IT Security Analysts are responsible for monitoring and analyzing an organization's computer systems and networks for security breaches. They also develop and implement security measures to protect against future attacks. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become an effective IT Security Analyst. You will learn about network security monitoring tools, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and security incident and event management solutions. This course can help you gain the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in this role.

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Security Architect

Security Architects design and implement security solutions to protect an organization's computer systems and networks from cyber attacks. They also develop and implement security policies and procedures. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Security Architect. You will learn about network security monitoring tools, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and security incident and event management solutions.

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Information Technology (IT) Director

Information Technology (IT) Directors are responsible for planning, implementing, and managing an organization's IT infrastructure. They also develop and implement IT policies and procedures. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful IT Director. You will learn about network security monitoring tools, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and security incident and event management solutions.

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IT Security Auditor

IT Security Auditors are responsible for assessing an organization's security posture and identifying security risks. They also develop and implement security plans to address identified risks. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful IT Security Auditor. You will learn about network security monitoring tools, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and security incident and event management solutions.

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Network Administrator

Network Administrators are responsible for managing and maintaining an organization's computer networks. They install and configure network hardware and software, troubleshoot network problems, and provide technical support to users. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Network Administrator. You will learn about network security monitoring tools, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and security incident and event management solutions.

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IT Manager

IT Managers are responsible for planning, implementing, and managing an organization's IT infrastructure. They also develop and implement IT policies and procedures. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful IT Manager. You will learn about network security monitoring tools, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and security incident and event management solutions.

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Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is responsible for developing and implementing an organization's security strategy. They also oversee the organization's security team and ensure that the organization is in compliance with all applicable security regulations. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful CISO. You will learn about network security monitoring tools, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and security incident and event management solutions.

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Systems Administrator

Systems Administrators are responsible for managing and maintaining an organization's computer systems. They install and configure software, troubleshoot system problems, and provide technical support to users. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Systems Administrator. You will learn about network security monitoring tools, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and security incident and event management solutions.

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Cybersecurity Risk Analyst

Cybersecurity Risk Analysts assess an organization's cybersecurity risks and develop strategies to mitigate those risks. They also work with other departments to implement security measures and policies. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Cybersecurity Risk Analyst. You will learn about network security monitoring tools, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and security incident and event management solutions.

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Computer Forensics Analyst

Computer Forensics Analysts investigate computer crimes and cyber attacks. They also collect and analyze evidence from computers and other electronic devices. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful Computer Forensics Analyst. You will learn about network security monitoring tools, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and security incident and event management solutions.

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