Computer Networks and Network Security

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Computer Networks and Network Security

This course is part of multiple programs.

Instructor: IBM Skills Network Team

136,226 already enrolled

Included with

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

3,517 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

91%

Most learners liked this course

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

3,517 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

91%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

Sought-after computer network and network security skills businesses need to protect the network and endpoint devices from unwanted intrusions.
How to apply organization policies to protect endpoint devices from attacks using firewall settings, and outbound and inbound rulesets.
Install, configure, apply patches and use cloud-based software to find, quarantine, and remove malware and for intrusion detection systems
Perform the tasks necessary to provide recommendations for network hardware devices, network security, and network monitoring and management

Skills you'll gain

Category: Endpoint Security
Category: Network Routing
Category: Network Administration
Category: Routing Protocols
Category: Network Architecture
Category: Endpoint Detection and Response
Category: General Networking
Category: Local Area Networks
Category: TCP/IP
Category: Intrusion Detection and Prevention
Category: Data Loss Prevention
Category: Network Security
Category: Network Infrastructure
Category: Cybersecurity
Category: Cyber Threat Intelligence
Category: Network Routers
Category: Network Protocols
Category: Networking Hardware

Tools you'll learn

Category: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
Category: Firewall

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

11 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is available as part of

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be asked to select a specific program.

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 5 modules in this course

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a 32% growth in information security analyst jobs until 2032. These analysts are in demand as part of the team that keeps networks secure. 

This course provides practical hands-on computer networking and network security experience that employers want. Through innovative hands-on labs, you'll learn how to secure a small home office network (SOHO), install and configure DHCP, and filter DNS. You’ll also get real-world practice installing and using an open-source Extended Detection and Response (XDR) system.    Additionally, you’ll build valuable supporting knowledge of ports, protocols, and IP addresses, including IPv6 and network routing. You’ll learn about Layer 2 and 3 addressing, routers, and routing tables.   Plus, you’ll develop knowledge of cybersecurity analyst tools for data protection, endpoint protection, and SIEM, which you can apply to an organization’s compliance and threat intelligence needs, which is crucial in today’s cybersecurity landscape.  You’ll complete a final project where you will demonstrate your ability to perform network and security planning tasks.  Networking and network security skills pay. Invest in yourself and enroll today!

In this module, you’ll learn about networking hardware, including routers and switches. You'll gain essential job-ready knowledge of wireless networking standards. Learn about basic network design and gain practical experience designing and drawing a basic network structure based on requirements. You'll also engage in practical identification exercises about network ports, protocols, and protocol tables that you’ll need to understand key networking models.

What's included

6 videos6 readings2 assignments1 app item2 plugins

6 videosTotal 34 minutes

Course Introduction3 minutes
Computer Networks: Networking Hardware Devices7 minutes
Models, Standards, Protocols, and Ports 7 minutes
Computer Networks: Wireless Networks and Standards7 minutes
Protocol Table7 minutes
Microsoft Windows Server Lab Environment2 minutes

6 readingsTotal 55 minutes

Course Overview5 minutes
Helpful Tips for Course Completion10 minutes
Designing a Basic Network Structure10 minutes
Networking Basics: Types, Connections, & Cables10 minutes
Summary: Networking Fundamentals10 minutes
Glossary: Networking Fundamentals10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 45 minutes

Practice Quiz: Networking Fundamentals15 minutes
Graded Quiz: Networking Fundamentals30 minutes

1 app itemTotal 10 minutes

Lab: Exploring Networking Ports and Protocols10 minutes

2 pluginsTotal 45 minutes

Activity: Identifying Wireless Network Technologies15 minutes
Lab: Designing a Basic Network Structure30 minutes

After completing this module, you will be able to explain and apply IP addressing, IP address structure and network classes, IP protocols, traffic routing, and the IPv6 address schema. You’ll also be able to compare the structure and uses of IPv4 and IPv6. You’ll be able to explain basic network routing principles, Layer 2 and Layer 3 addressing, and Address Resolution Protocols (ARP) and describe the basics of routers and routing table sessions. You'll gain experience you can use in the real world when you learn how to secure a small office/home office (SOHO) network.

What's included

10 videos2 readings3 assignments2 plugins

10 videosTotal 55 minutes

IP Addressing - The Basics of Binary 7 minutes
IP Address Structure and Network Classes 7 minutes
IP Protocol and Traffic Routing 7 minutes
Introduction to the IPv6 Address Schema 7 minutes
Basics of Network Routing 3 minutes
Layer 2 and Layer 3 Addressing5 minutes
Address Resolution Protocol 6 minutes
Routers and Routing Tables, Part 1 3 minutes
Routers and Routing Tables, Part 2 4 minutes
Routers and Routing Tables, Part 3 7 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Summary: IP Addressing, Routing and Switching10 minutes
Glossary: IP Addressing, Routing & Switching10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 39 minutes

Practice Quiz: Basics of IP Addressing9 minutes
Practice Quiz: Basics of Routing and Switching9 minutes
Graded Quiz: IP Addressing, Routing and Switching21 minutes

2 pluginsTotal 35 minutes

IP Addressing and Subnet Masking15 minutes
Lab: Securing a SOHO Network20 minutes

In this module, you'll learn about network protocols and security measures, combining theoretical knowledge with practical applications. You will begin with an introduction to application and transport protocols, focusing on UDP and TCP. You will then explore DNS and DHCP and experience a hands-on lab for configuring DHCP and an activity on DNS filtering. Then learn how to use Syslog message logs and network analysis techniques, including port mirroring, promiscuous mode, and user behavior analysis.

What's included

8 videos3 readings3 assignments2 app items1 discussion prompt2 plugins

8 videosTotal 46 minutes

Application and Transport Protocols, Part 1 6 minutes
Application and Transport Protocols, Part 2 6 minutes
DNS and DHCP 6 minutes
DNS Filtering 8 minutes
Syslog Message Logging Protocol 5 minutes
Flows and Network Analysis 3 minutes
Port Mirroring and Promiscuous Mode 3 minutes
User Behavior Analysis 9 minutes

3 readingsTotal 30 minutes

Network Flow Analysis and User Behavior Analysis10 minutes
Summary: Network Protocols10 minutes
Glossary: Network Protocols10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 40 minutes

Practice Quiz: Transport Layer Overview10 minutes
Practice Quiz: Application Layer Overview9 minutes
Graded Quiz: Network Protocols21 minutes

2 app itemsTotal 35 minutes

Lab: Installing and Configuring DHCP20 minutes
Lab: DNS Filtering15 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

[Optional] Securing a High-Profile Corporate Network10 minutes

2 pluginsTotal 60 minutes

Lab: Analyzing TCP and UDP Traffic with Wireshark15 minutes
Lab: Protecting Endpoints with OpenEDR45 minutes

This module introduces you to network security techniques, including firewall technologies, stateless and stateful inspections, IDS, and IPS systems. You’ll also examine Network Address Translation (NAT) and file integrity monitoring, along with advanced security measures such as Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Network Access Control, and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR). You'll conclude this module with a hands-on lab where you can gain real-world experience with an open-source Extended Detection and Response (XDR) application.

What's included

11 videos3 readings3 assignments4 app items

11 videosTotal 61 minutes

Stateless Inspection 4 minutes
Stateful Inspection 4 minutes
Firewall Filters with Intrusion Systems 5 minutes
Using Your Microsoft Windows Lab Workspace4 minutes
Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems Compared 5 minutes
Network Address Translation 7 minutes
File Integrity Monitoring 7 minutes
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)4 minutes
Network Access Control (NAC)6 minutes
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) 7 minutes
Extended Detection and Response 7 minutes

3 readingsTotal 30 minutes

Limitations of Firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)10 minutes
Glossary: Network Security Techniques10 minutes
Summary: Network Security Techniques10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 40 minutes

Practice quiz: Firewall, IDS, and IPS9 minutes
Practice Quiz: Network Access Control, EDR, and XDR10 minutes
Graded Quiz: Network Security Techniques21 minutes

4 app itemsTotal 105 minutes

[Optional] Lab: Protocols and Ports in Windows Defender10 minutes
Hands-on Lab: Windows Firewall with Advanced Security45 minutes
Lab: Configuring Firewalls in Microsoft Windows20 minutes
Lab: Intrusion Detection System Activity30 minutes

In this module, you will apply the course knowledge and hands-on skills you gained in prior modules to complete your final project. During your final project, you complete real-world tasks, including designing a network with subnets, calculating subnet addresses and subnet masks, configuring firewalls, and analyzing website traffic.

What's included

1 video3 readings2 app items

Earn a career certificate

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Instructor

Instructor ratings

(870 ratings)

IBM Skills Network Team

100 Courses3,027,347 learners

Offered by

IBM

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5 stars
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Reviewed on Apr 6, 2020

I thought the course information was good. I do think the transcriptions need a little work to reflect what is actually being said by the instructors.

Reviewed on Jul 14, 2020

This course will give you a indepth knowledge on network protocols, addressing layers and Databse vulnerabilities in MySQL and many more. This is an excellent course.

Reviewed on Jan 2, 2021

the course was excellent. I think I have gained new knowledge and skills in this networking field and waiting to learn even more additional skills in this field.

Frequently asked questions

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¹ Some assignments in this course are AI-graded. For these assignments, your data will be used in accordance with Coursera's Privacy Notice.