About the Author
Co-author Charles Riley (CCNP, CSS1, CISSP, CCSA, MCSE, CNE-3) is a Network Engineer with a long tenure in the networking security field. Charles has co-authored several books including Syngress Publishing’s Configuring Cisco Voice Over IP, Second Edition (ISBN: 1-931836-64-7). He has designed and implemented robust networking solutions for large Fortune 500 and privately held companies. He started with the U.S. Army at Fort Huachuca, AZ, eventually finishing his Army stretch as the Network Manager of the Seventh Army Training Command in Grafenwoehr, Germany. Currently Charles is employed as a Network Security Engineer for Hypervine in Kansas, where he audits and hardens the existing security of customers, as well as deploying new security architectures and solutions. Charles holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Firewalls have become increasingly sophisticated devices as the technology has matured. At its most basic level, a firewall is intended to enforce a security policy governing the network traffic that passes through it. To this basic functionality, Cisco has added many features such as network address translation (NAT), virtual private networks (VPN), and redundant architectures for high availability. Management systems are typically installed along with the firewall to assist with monitoring and administrating the device. A maxim of IT security is that technology is only as effective as the people responsible for its operation. Therefore, it is extremely important for the technical staff managing PIX firewalls to understand the technical functionality of these devices, as this will result in better security and more efficient operation of the equipment.
About This Book
The objective of this book is to provide you with a thorough understanding of the Cisco PIX firewalls. Whether you have administrative responsibilities or you are studying to pass an exam such as the Cisco Secure PIX Firewall Advanced (CPSFA), this comprehensive guide will be of value to you. The initial chapters cover the basics, and subsequent chapters delve into advanced topics. Callisma’s contributing authors are industry experts with a wealth of real world implementation experience on the PIX and IOS firewalls, and this book includes many real-world examples of do’s and don’ts. We hope you enjoy reading this book as much as we’ve enjoyed writing it!
-Ralph Troupe,
President and CEO, Callisma
About Callisma
Through Callisma’s skilled team of technology, operations, and project management professionals, we enable today’s major corporations to design and deploy networks that deliver business value. We help our clients compete effectively in the new e-business marketplace through strategic business planning, network design, and implementation services. By providing its clients with a broad base of technical services, a flexible, results-oriented engagement style, and the highest quality documentation and communication, Callisma delivers superior solutions—on time and on budget. Callisma’s expertise includes IP Telephony, Internetworking, Storage, Optical Networking, Operations Management, Security, and Project Management. Callisma is headquartered in Silicon Valley, with offices located throughout the United States. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
