About Me
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) - Security
1 Network Security and Secure Connectivity
1-1 Introduction to Network Security
1-1 1 Definition and Importance of Network Security
1-1 2 Threats and Vulnerabilities in Networks
1-1 3 Security Policies and Compliance
1-2 Secure Network Design
1-2 1 Network Segmentation and Zoning
1-2 2 Secure Network Topologies
1-2 3 Designing Secure Network Architectures
1-3 Secure Connectivity
1-3 1 VPN Technologies (IPsec, SSLTLS, GRE)
1-3 2 Remote Access Security
1-3 3 Site-to-Site and Remote Access VPNs
2 Secure Access
2-1 AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting)
2-1 1 AAA Protocols (RADIUS, TACACS+)
2-1 2 Implementing AAA in Network Devices
2-1 3 Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
2-2 Identity Management
2-2 1 User Authentication Methods (Passwords, Tokens, Biometrics)
2-2 2 Single Sign-On (SSO) and Federated Identity
2-2 3 Identity Federation and Directory Services
2-3 Access Control Lists (ACLs)
2-3 1 Standard and Extended ACLs
2-3 2 Applying ACLs to Network Devices
2-3 3 ACL Best Practices and Troubleshooting
3 Secure Routing and Switching
3-1 Secure Routing Protocols
3-1 1 OSPF and EIGRP Security
3-1 2 BGP Security (MD5, TCP MD5 Signature Option)
3-1 3 Secure Routing Protocol Configuration
3-2 Secure Switching
3-2 1 Switch Security Features (Port Security, DHCP Snooping)
3-2 2 Implementing Secure VLANs
3-2 3 Switch Security Best Practices
3-3 Network Address Translation (NAT) Security
3-3 1 NAT Types and Security Considerations
3-3 2 Configuring Secure NAT on Routers
3-3 3 NAT and Firewall Integration
4 Secure Wireless Networks
4-1 Wireless Security Protocols
4-1 1 WPA2 and WPA3 Security
4-1 2 RADIUS Integration with Wireless Networks
4-1 3 Wireless Encryption (TKIP, CCMP)
4-2 Secure Wireless Deployment
4-2 1 Wireless Network Design Considerations
4-2 2 Implementing Secure Wireless Access Points
4-2 3 Wireless Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (WIDSWIPS)
4-3 Wireless Threats and Mitigation
4-3 1 Common Wireless Attacks (Rogue AP, Evil Twin)
4-3 2 Mitigating Wireless Threats
4-3 3 Wireless Security Best Practices
5 Network Threat Defense
5-1 Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDSIPS)
5-1 1 IDSIPS Technologies and Architectures
5-1 2 Signature-Based and Anomaly-Based Detection
5-1 3 Implementing and Managing IDSIPS
5-2 Firewalls and Network Security
5-2 1 Firewall Types (Stateful, Stateless, Next-Generation)
5-2 2 Firewall Policies and Rules
5-2 3 Configuring and Managing Firewalls
5-3 Network Access Control (NAC)
5-3 1 NAC Architectures and Protocols
5-3 2 Implementing NAC Solutions
5-3 3 NAC Best Practices and Troubleshooting
6 Secure Network Management and Monitoring
6-1 Network Management Protocols
6-1 1 SNMP Security (v1, v2c, v3)
6-1 2 Secure Network Management Practices
6-1 3 Implementing Secure SNMP
6-2 Network Monitoring and Logging
6-2 1 Network Monitoring Tools and Techniques
6-2 2 Log Management and Analysis
6-2 3 Monitoring and Logging Best Practices
6-3 Network Device Hardening
6-3 1 Device Hardening Techniques
6-3 2 Secure Device Configuration
6-3 3 Device Hardening Best Practices
7 Cryptography and VPNs
7-1 Cryptographic Concepts
7-1 1 Symmetric and Asymmetric Encryption
7-1 2 Hashing and Digital Signatures
7-1 3 Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
7-2 VPN Technologies
7-2 1 IPsec VPN Architecture
7-2 2 SSLTLS VPNs
7-2 3 VPN Deployment and Management
7-3 Secure Communication Protocols
7-3 1 Secure Email (SMIME, PGP)
7-3 2 Secure Web Protocols (HTTPS, SSLTLS)
7-3 3 Secure Communication Best Practices
8 Security Incident Response and Management
8-1 Incident Response Planning
8-1 1 Incident Response Process (IRP)
8-1 2 Incident Handling and Containment
8-1 3 Incident Response Best Practices
8-2 Forensics and Evidence Collection
8-2 1 Network Forensics Techniques
8-2 2 Evidence Collection and Preservation
8-2 3 Forensics Best Practices
8-3 Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity
8-3 1 Disaster Recovery Planning (DRP)
8-3 2 Business Continuity Planning (BCP)
8-3 3 Disaster Recovery and BCP Best Practices
5.1 Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS) Explained

5.1 Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS) Explained

Key Concepts

Intrusion Detection System (IDS)

An Intrusion Detection System (IDS) is a security tool designed to monitor network or system activities for malicious activities or policy violations. IDS detects potential threats and generates alerts for further investigation.

Example: A network administrator installs an IDS on a corporate network. The IDS detects a series of failed login attempts from an external IP address. The administrator receives an alert and investigates the activity, identifying it as a brute-force attack.

Analogies: Think of an IDS as a security camera in a store. It records suspicious activities but does not take action to stop them; it only alerts the security personnel.

Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)

An Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) is an advanced version of IDS that not only detects but also takes proactive measures to prevent intrusions. IPS can automatically block or mitigate detected threats, ensuring real-time protection.

Example: A financial institution deploys an IPS to protect its network. The IPS detects a SQL injection attack targeting its database server. The IPS automatically blocks the malicious traffic and sends an alert to the administrator, preventing data breaches.

Analogies: Consider an IPS as a security guard who not only monitors the premises but also takes immediate action to stop any suspicious activity.

Signature-Based Detection

Signature-Based Detection is a method used by IDS/IPS to identify known threats by comparing network traffic or system activities against a database of known attack patterns or signatures. This method is effective against known vulnerabilities but may miss new or unknown threats.

Example: An IDS uses signature-based detection to identify a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack. The IDS compares the incoming traffic patterns against a database of known DDoS attack signatures and detects the attack.

Analogies: Think of signature-based detection as a fingerprint matching system. Just as fingerprints are unique and can identify known individuals, attack signatures can identify known threats.

Anomaly-Based Detection

Anomaly-Based Detection is a method used by IDS/IPS to identify potential threats by monitoring network or system activities for deviations from normal behavior. This method can detect new or unknown threats but may generate false positives.

Example: An IPS uses anomaly-based detection to monitor network traffic. The IPS notices a sudden spike in traffic to a rarely accessed server. The IPS flags this activity as suspicious and investigates further, identifying it as an attempted data exfiltration.

Analogies: Consider anomaly-based detection as a thermostat that detects unusual temperature changes. Just as a thermostat detects deviations from the normal temperature, anomaly-based detection detects deviations from normal network behavior.

Network-Based IDS/IPS

Network-Based IDS/IPS (NIDS/NIPS) are security tools that monitor network traffic for suspicious activities. NIDS/NIPS are typically deployed at strategic points in the network, such as firewalls or routers, to provide comprehensive coverage.

Example: A large enterprise deploys an NIPS at its perimeter firewall. The NIPS monitors all incoming and outgoing network traffic, detecting and blocking malicious activities such as malware downloads and unauthorized access attempts.

Analogies: Think of NIDS/NIPS as a border patrol that monitors all incoming and outgoing traffic. Just as border patrol ensures that only authorized individuals enter a country, NIDS/NIPS ensure that only authorized traffic enters the network.

Host-Based IDS/IPS

Host-Based IDS/IPS (HIDS/HIPS) are security tools that monitor activities on individual hosts or endpoints, such as servers, workstations, and mobile devices. HIDS/HIPS provide detailed insights into host-specific activities and can detect threats that may bypass network-based defenses.

Example: A financial institution installs HIPS on its database servers. The HIPS monitors system calls and file access activities, detecting and blocking unauthorized attempts to access sensitive data.

Analogies: Consider HIDS/HIPS as a bodyguard who protects a VIP. Just as a bodyguard ensures the safety of an individual, HIDS/HIPS ensure the security of individual hosts.

Conclusion

Understanding Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS) is crucial for securing networks and systems against various threats. By leveraging IDS/IPS, network administrators can detect and prevent unauthorized access, malware, and other malicious activities, ensuring the integrity and security of their environments.

© 2024 Ahmed Baheeg Khorshid. All rights reserved.