Master Networking Basics for Cybersecurity

This Networking Basics course is designed to provide a deep dive into the foundational elements of networking, with an emphasis on the essential concepts required for a career in cybersecurity. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how networks function, the different components involved, and how they all interconnect. As a prerequisite for our PCI DSS training, this course will give students the solid networking knowledge needed to handle real-world security challenges.

What Students Will Learn:

1. Introduction to Networking:

   • The basic principles of networking and how data flows across networks.

   • Understanding the OSI and TCP/IP models and their relevance to network communication.

2. Ethernet and Switches:

   • How Ethernet works and its role in local area networks (LANs).

   • How switches function, their role in forwarding traffic, and how they help in building network topologies.

3. IP Addresses and Subnetting:

   • The concept of IP addresses, their structure, and the difference between IPv4 and IPv6.

   • Subnetting techniques to divide networks into smaller, more efficient segments.

4. Routers and Routing Protocols:

   • The function of routers in directing traffic between networks.

   • Common routing protocols like RIP, OSPF, and BGP, and how they manage network paths.

5. MAC Addresses:

   • How MAC (Media Access Control) addresses uniquely identify network devices.

   • The importance of MAC addresses in network communication and security.

6. Firewalls and Types of Firewalls:

   • How firewalls filter incoming and outgoing traffic to protect the network.

   • Different types of firewalls (e.g., packet filtering, stateful, and proxy firewalls), and how they function to secure a network.

7. VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks):

   • The concept of VLANs and how they improve network segmentation and security.

   • How VLANs are used to isolate traffic and enhance performance within large networks.

8. Web Servers and Application Servers:

   • How web servers deliver content over the internet, and how they interact with browsers.

   • The role of application servers in running web-based applications and their connection to databases.

9. Database Servers:

   • How database servers store, retrieve, and manage data.

   • The interaction between database servers and other networked services, and their importance in the security of critical information.

10. Wi-Fi and Radio Waves:

    • The technology behind Wi-Fi networks and how they enable wireless communication.

    • The use of radio waves in wireless networks, and the importance of securing Wi-Fi communications.

11. Real-World Networking Applications:

    • Practical examples of how networking elements come together in real-world scenarios.

    • The role of networking in securing modern IT infrastructure, with a focus on how these fundamentals relate to compliance and security frameworks like PCI DSS.

Why This Course is Important:

This course is foundational for anyone looking to transition into cybersecurity or expand their knowledge in IT. By understanding networking basics, students will be able to:

• Build and secure networks.

• Understand how different components interact within a network environment.

• Prepare for advanced topics such as PCI DSS, where networking security is essential.

Students will leave this course equipped with the knowledge needed to confidently tackle more advanced cybersecurity concepts and ensure they are prepared for real-world security challenges.