This curriculum spans the technical and procedural rigor of a multi-workshop security architecture engagement, covering design, implementation, and governance tasks comparable to those performed during an enterprise-wide network hardening initiative.
Module 1: Network Security Architecture and Design Principles
- Selecting between flat and segmented network topologies based on business unit isolation requirements and threat containment objectives.
- Implementing zero-trust network access (ZTNA) controls by defining identity-based access policies instead of relying on perimeter-based trust.
- Designing redundant firewall placements to ensure high availability while avoiding asymmetric routing issues in active-passive configurations.
- Evaluating the use of internal CA infrastructure versus third-party certificates for device and service authentication across the enterprise.
- Integrating network design with physical security controls, such as restricting VLAN access to specific switch ports in sensitive areas.
- Documenting data flow maps to support compliance audits and identify unauthorized east-west traffic patterns.
Module 2: Firewall and Perimeter Defense Configuration
- Creating and maintaining stateful firewall rule sets that balance application accessibility with the principle of least privilege.
- Configuring application-layer inspection on next-generation firewalls to detect and block command-and-control traffic from malware.
- Managing rulebase sprawl by implementing change control processes for firewall rule requests and periodic rule reviews.
- Deploying DMZ architectures with multiple tiers to isolate externally facing services from internal systems.
- Enforcing egress filtering policies to prevent data exfiltration through common outbound ports like DNS and HTTPS.
- Integrating threat intelligence feeds into firewall policy to dynamically block known malicious IP addresses.
Module 3: Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS)
- Choosing between network-based (NIDS/NIPS) and host-based (HIDS) systems based on coverage requirements and performance impact.
- Tuning signature-based detection rules to reduce false positives from legitimate business applications and protocols.
- Deploying inline versus passive IDPS sensors based on tolerance for network disruption during attacks.
- Correlating IDPS alerts with SIEM data to identify coordinated attack patterns across multiple systems.
- Responding to active exploit detection by triggering automated firewall rule updates or host isolation workflows.
- Conducting regular penetration tests to validate IDPS effectiveness against emerging attack vectors.
Module 4: Secure Remote Access and VPN Management
- Selecting between SSL/TLS and IPsec VPNs based on endpoint control, client compatibility, and user mobility needs.
- Enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all remote access sessions, including integration with legacy applications.
- Implementing split tunneling policies to control which traffic routes through the corporate network versus local internet breakout.
- Rotating and revoking VPN certificates and pre-shared keys according to defined cryptographic lifecycle policies.
- Monitoring concurrent session counts and geographic anomalies to detect compromised credentials.
- Integrating remote access logs with identity governance systems for access certification and audit reporting.
Module 5: Network Segmentation and Micro-Segmentation
- Defining segmentation boundaries based on data classification, regulatory requirements, and system criticality.
- Implementing VLAN access control lists (VACLs) and private VLANs to restrict lateral movement within subnets.
- Deploying software-defined networking (SDN) policies to enforce dynamic segmentation for cloud and hybrid environments.
- Mapping application dependencies before segmentation to prevent disruption of critical business services.
- Using host-based firewalls as a complementary control where network-level segmentation is not feasible.
- Validating segmentation effectiveness through controlled breach simulation and traffic analysis.
Module 6: DNS and Email Security Hardening
- Implementing DNSSEC to prevent cache poisoning and domain spoofing attacks across internal and external zones.
- Deploying DNS filtering services to block access to known malicious domains and command-and-control infrastructure.
- Configuring SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records to reduce email spoofing and protect brand reputation.
- Integrating secure email gateways with sandboxing to detect and block malicious attachments before delivery.
- Monitoring DNS query logs for anomalies such as tunneling behavior or beaconing to external servers.
- Enforcing encrypted DNS (DoT/DoH) policies on corporate devices to prevent eavesdropping and manipulation.
Module 7: Network Monitoring, Logging, and Incident Response
- Configuring NetFlow, sFlow, or IPFIX on core switches to capture metadata for traffic analysis and anomaly detection.
- Ensuring network device logs are sent to a centralized SIEM with time synchronization and integrity protection.
- Establishing baseline network behavior profiles to detect deviations indicating compromise or misconfiguration.
- Responding to DDoS events by coordinating with upstream ISPs and activating traffic scrubbing services.
- Preserving packet captures during incident investigations to support forensic analysis and legal requirements.
- Conducting tabletop exercises to test network incident response playbooks with IT and security teams.
Module 8: Governance, Compliance, and Change Management
- Aligning network security policies with regulatory frameworks such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, or GDPR based on data processing activities.
- Implementing change advisory board (CAB) processes for network configuration changes to reduce operational risk.
- Performing quarterly firewall rule audits to remove obsolete or overly permissive entries.
- Documenting network security exceptions with risk acceptance forms signed by business owners.
- Integrating network device configurations into version control systems for auditability and rollback capability.
- Conducting annual third-party penetration tests focused on network infrastructure to validate control effectiveness.