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Introduction to Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)

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Introduction to Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)

This course is part of Intrusion Detection Specialization

Instructor: Jason Crossland

Included with

Learn more

7 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

5 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

7 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

5 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Understand the roles of HIDS and NIDS, their key components, and applications across cybersecurity contexts.
Install and configure IDS solutions on VMs to detect real-time threats in host and network environments.
Compare signature-based and anomaly-based detection methods and configure IDS rules accordingly.
Use quantitative techniques to assess IDS effectiveness, analyzing data to select optimal solutions for security needs.

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Virtual Machines

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

18 assignments

Taught in English

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Intrusion Detection Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 7 modules in this course

This course introduces you to Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), offering essential knowledge and hands-on skills for detecting and mitigating security threats. As cyberattacks become more sophisticated, learning to protect systems through IDS is a critical skill for IT and security professionals. This course is designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of both Host-Based (HIDS) and Network-Based Intrusion Detection Systems (NIDS). You’ll dive into core components, explore the differences between signature-based and anomaly-based detection, and gain practical experience by operating IDS tools on virtual machines.

What makes this course unique is its combination of theory and real-world application: you’ll learn to configure IDS technologies, develop custom rules, and evaluate IDS performance quantitatively. By the end of this course, you’ll be equipped to identify and respond to security threats in various environments, from individual hosts to complex networks. This practical knowledge will set you apart, enhancing your ability to protect critical systems against emerging cyber threats.

Module details

This course provides a comprehensive overview of Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), focusing on both Host-based (HIDS) and Network-based (NIDS) technologies. Participants will learn to describe IDS components, analyze attack dynamics, and develop use cases for detecting insider threats and DDoS attacks. The course includes practical sessions on installing and operating HIDS and NIDS on virtual machines, as well as configuring tools like Suricata. Additionally, students will evaluate detection methods and conduct quantitative assessments to enhance their understanding of cybersecurity effectiveness.

What's included

1 video3 readings

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), focusing on their purpose, components, and various types. Participants will explore the relationship between attacks and risk, learning to identify specific attack observables and how they relate to potential threats.

What's included

6 videos4 readings3 assignments

6 videosTotal 120 minutes

Introduction to Intrusion Detection9 minutes
Risks and Threats16 minutes
IDS Types and Components25 minutes
Part 1: Mapping Threats, Observables, and IDS Types26 minutes
Part 2: Mapping Threats, Observables, and IDS Types21 minutes
Optional: "Strategic Cyber Defense" (DARPA)23 minutes

4 readingsTotal 340 minutes

Reading References120 minutes
Reading References120 minutes
Self-Reflective Reading: Intrusion Detection Products40 minutes
Self-Reflective Reading: Advanced Persistent Threats and Spear-Phishing Attacks60 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

Understanding the Purpose and Components of an IDS18 minutes
Classifying IDS Types and Selecting the Right IDS12 minutes
Introduction, Products, and Components60 minutes

This course provides an in-depth exploration of Host-based Intrusion Detection Systems (HIDS). It begins with a detailed description of HIDS and its critical role in monitoring and analyzing the activities within individual host systems to detect potential security threats.

What's included

4 videos4 readings3 assignments1 plugin

4 videosTotal 56 minutes

Introduction3 minutes
Host Intrusion Detection Description22 minutes
HIDS Types and Examples20 minutes
Attack Types Detected by HIDS (2C)12 minutes

4 readingsTotal 340 minutes

Reading References120 minutes
Reading References120 minutes
Self-Reflective Reading: Challenges in Deploying HIDS/IPS Solutions40 minutes
Self-Reflective Reading: Host-Based IDS/IPS in Insider Threat Mitigation60 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

Introduction to Host Intrusion Detection Systems (HIDS)15 minutes
Deploying HIDS for Insider Threat Detection15 minutes
HIDS I60 minutes

1 pluginTotal 35 minutes

OSSEC (2D)35 minutes

This course provides a deep dive into the mechanisms and methodologies behind Host-Based Intrusion Detection Systems (HIDS).

What's included

4 videos4 readings3 assignments

4 videosTotal 71 minutes

Introduction4 minutes
Host Integrity Attack Detection24 minutes
Hardware and Side-Channel Attack Detection15 minutes
Static and Dynamic Malware Detection27 minutes

4 readingsTotal 340 minutes

Reading References120 minutes
Reading References120 minutes
Self-Reflective Reading: Exploring Concepts of Security and Quantum Computing40 minutes
Self-Reflective Reading: Understanding HIDS/IPS and API Attack Detection60 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

Understanding Integrity and Hardware Attacks15 minutes
Implementing Biometric Solutions: Keystroke and Facial Recognition15 minutes
HIDS II60 minutes

This course provides an in-depth exploration of Network Intrusion Detection Systems (NIDS), focusing on the essential role they play in cybersecurity.

What's included

6 videos4 readings3 assignments2 plugins

6 videosTotal 73 minutes

Introduction2 minutes
Network Intrusion Detection Description21 minutes
NIDS Types and Examples18 minutes
Brief Snort Tutorial (Additional Resource)6 minutes
Attack Types Detected by NIDS18 minutes
Snort Tutorial 2 (Additional Resource)7 minutes

4 readingsTotal 320 minutes

Reading References120 minutes
Reading References120 minutes
Self-Reflective Reading: Understanding NIDS/IPS for Attack Detection40 minutes
Self-Reflective Reading: Understanding Cyber-Attack Classification40 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

Understanding and Classifying Network Intrusion Detection Systems (NIDS)15 minutes
Deploying NIDS for DDoS Detection15 minutes
NIDS I60 minutes

2 pluginsTotal 7 minutes

Snort Overview6 minutes
Nessus is an Enterprise Tool: Top Ten Things You Didn't Know About Nessus1 minute

This course provides an in-depth exploration of Network Intrusion Detection Systems (NIDS), focusing on differentiating between signature-based and anomaly-based detection methods.

What's included

5 videos4 readings3 assignments

5 videosTotal 74 minutes

Introduction6 minutes
Signatures and Anomalies in NIDS24 minutes
Netflow and Establishing a Baseline21 minutes
Type I and Type II Errors12 minutes
WIDS13 minutes

4 readingsTotal 460 minutes

Reading References180 minutes
Reading References180 minutes
Self-Reflective Reading: Analyzing Technology Trade-Offs in Cybersecurity Archiving60 minutes
Self-Reflective Reading: Understanding Flash-Crowd Attacks and DDoS Mitigation40 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 90 minutes

Signature-Based vs. Anomaly-Based NIDS15 minutes
Configuring Suricata for Anomaly Detection15 minutes
NIDS II60 minutes

This course provides an in-depth understanding of how to quantitatively evaluate Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)

What's included

5 videos4 readings3 assignments

5 videosTotal 98 minutes

Introduction5 minutes
Comparing Different Types of IDS25 minutes
Economic Analysis of IDS31 minutes
Collecting Data for IDS Evaluation24 minutes
Comparing Signature-Based IDS13 minutes

4 readingsTotal 200 minutes

Reading References60 minutes
Reading References60 minutes
Self-Reflective Reading: Enhancing Confidence in Detecting Network Attacks40 minutes
Self-Reflective Reading: Exploring Zeek Programming for Network Analysis40 minutes