Managing Cisco Network Security (Hardcover)

~ Mike Wenstrom (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Cisco authorized self-study book for network security foundation learning

• Master technology concepts and security services to protect your network
• Develop and implement a network security policy
• Configure Cisco routers to secure the network environment by controlling SNMP access, routing updates, network traffic, and Ethernet switch port and access security
• Understand the AAA architecture and configure the network access server for AAA, CiscoSecure ACS, and TACACS+
• Secure Internet connections by creating a perimeter security system with Cisco routers
• Configure a variety of features of the PIX Firewall, including access control, multiple interfaces, AAA, PPTP support, Java applet blocking, URL and FTP filtering, SNMP and syslog support, redundancy, and maintenance
• Understand Cisco Encryption Technology and the steps you must follow to configure it on Cisco routers
• Learn how to use IPSec protocols to create a secure VPN and scale IPSec networks to support multiple IPSec peers

While the benefits of the information revolution are enormous, so too are the risks you take when offering products, services, and information to your customers, employees, and business partners via your network. Now more than ever, taking the proper steps to ensure the integrity of your network is critical for protecting your most valuable asset: your data. Even so, most corporate and government networks are vulnerable to attack. Managing Cisco Network Security teaches you how to install, configure, operate, manage, and verify Cisco network security products and Cisco IOS(r) Software security features.

Managing Cisco Network Security focuses on implementing IP network security. Each chapter in the book presents a practical, task-based approach to implementing the security features discussed through a running case study of a hypothetical company that builds a network security architecture from the ground up. Divided into six parts, the book begins with an overview of network security threats and helps you identify the causes of network security problems. Part I also contains information that teaches you how to establish network security policies and secure the network infrastructure. Part II describes methods for securing remote dial-in access using CiscoSecure ACS and Cisco IOS Software AAA security features. Part III focuses on protecting Internet access by identifying the basic components of a perimeter security system and configuring perimeter routers and the Cisco PIX(r) Firewall Feature set. Part IV introduces you to the features and components of the PIX Firewall, presenting details on how to configure essential PIX Firewall features. Part V examines Cisco Encryption Technology, and shows you how to configure Cisco Encryption Technology to ensure data privacy. In Part VI, you will learn how to implement a secure virtual private network (VPN) solution using IPSec features as well as how to use intrusion detection and network auditing tools. In addition to the running case study, Managing Cisco Network Security contains a wealth of configuration examples, command summaries, helpful tables and diagrams, and chapter-ending review questions.

Managing Cisco Network Security is part of a recommended study program from Cisco Systems that includes simulation and hands-on training from authorized Cisco Learning Partners and self-study products from Cisco Press.Mike has more than 18 years of experience in many facets of technical training, having been an instructional designer, course developer, technical instructor, and project manager.

From the Back Cover

Cisco authorized self-study book for network security foundation learning

* Master technology concepts and security services to protect your network
* Develop and implement a network security policy
* Configure Cisco routers to secure the network environment by controlling SNMP access, routing updates, network traffic, and Ethernet switch port and access security
* Understand the AAA architecture and configure the network access server for AAA, CiscoSecure ACS, and TACACS+
* Secure Internet connections by creating a perimeter security system with Cisco routers
* Configure a variety of features of the PIX Firewall, including access control, multiple interfaces, AAA, PPTP support, Java applet blocking, URL and FTP filtering, SNMP and syslog support, redundancy, and maintenance
* Understand Cisco Encryption Technology and the steps you must follow to configure it on Cisco routers
* Learn how to use IPSec protocols to create a secure VPN and scale IPSec networks to support multiple IPSec peers

While the benefits of the information revolution are enormous, so too are the risks you take when offering products, services, and information to your customers, employees, and business partners via your network. Now more than ever, taking the proper steps to ensure the integrity of your network is critical for protecting your most valuable asset: your data. Even so, most corporate and government networks are vulnerable to attack. Managing Cisco Network Security teaches you how to install, configure, operate, manage, and verify Cisco network security products and Cisco IOS(r) Software security features.

Managing Cisco Network Security focuses on implementing IP network security. Each chapter in the book presents a practical, task-based approach to implementing the security features discussed through a running case study of a hypothetical company that builds a network security architecture from the ground up. Divided into six parts, the book begins with an overview of network security threats and helps you identify the causes of network security problems. Part I also contains information that teaches you how to establish network security policies and secure the network infrastructure. Part II describes methods for securing remote dial-in access using CiscoSecure ACS and Cisco IOS Software AAA security features. Part III focuses on protecting Internet access by identifying the basic components of a perimeter security system and configuring perimeter routers and the Cisco PIX(r) Firewall Feature set. Part IV introduces you to the features and components of the PIX Firewall, presenting details on how to configure essential PIX Firewall features. Part V examines Cisco Encryption Technology, and shows you how to configure Cisco Encryption Technology to ensure data privacy. In Part VI, you will learn how to implement a secure virtual private network (VPN) solution using IPSec features as well as how to use intrusion detection and network auditing tools. In addition to the running case study, Managing Cisco Network Security contains a wealth of configuration examples, command summaries, helpful tables and diagrams, and chapter-ending review questions.

Managing Cisco Network Security is part of a recommended study program from Cisco Systems that includes simulation and hands-on training from authorized Cisco Learning Partners and self-study products from Cisco Press. To find out more about instructor-led, e-learning, and hands-on instruction offered by authorized Cisco Learning Partners, please visit cisco/go/authorizedtraining.

Mike Wenstrom is an education specialist at Cisco Systems, Inc., where he designs, develops, and delivers training on Cisco VPN and network security products. Mike has more than 18 years of experience in many facets of technical training, having been an instructional designer, course developer, technical instructor, and project manager.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 789 pages
• Publisher: Cisco Press; 1st edition (January 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578701031
• ISBN-13: 978-1578701032
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.8 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,145,523 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Reference but Kinda Wordy., December 11, 2001

By	Chuck Fullerton (Boyertown, PA) - See all my reviews

This is a must have book if your going for Certification. However, If you just want to learn how to work the different components I would recommend "Cisco Secure Internet Security Solutions" CSISS is not as wordy as this and gets into the nuts and bolts of the components.

MCNS is excellent for those who may normally tend to ask more questions in class, or may have a little trouble understanding the theory behind the components.

These two books go Hand-in-Hand to give you not only the certification but the know how to use the Cisco Secure Components.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent coverage of the exam and a good reference as well., December 9, 2001

By	Michael J Woznicki "Michael J Woznicki" (Holland, MA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

For those of you who work on the PIX Firewall from Cisco and need to be trained on the finer points of the application, you'll find this book is right up your alley. The author has put a great deal of effort in this manual and results give you the best possible book on the topic I have seen so far.

In over 750 pages this manual is broken down into five parts, each building on the section before. The amount of information included is very detailed and well documented and I can see another volume of information on the horizon.

In part 1 this is where you learn to set up the security policy dealing with threats, denial of service attacks and the hacking process. Also covered the security policies and securing the switches and routers.

Part 2 moves to dial-up security with the use is Cisco's AAA security, PPP, CHAP, PAP, TACTAS+, ACS and Radius are the major topics covered. Showing the different ways to ensure the dial in accounts are the only things creating traffic that will enter into your network.

In Part 3 the author shows that the secure internet connection is one of the most important parts of the network security scheme. Topics include the setting up of the DMZ, using and working with the bastion host, firewall with NAT and PAT, and the Cisco PIX Firewall.

Part 4 is the PIX Firewall section where you learn about the configuration of the PIX firewall, configuring multiple interfaces and AAA encryption. Finally part 5 which deals with VPN and IPSec. The author does ensure an understanding of IPSec, configuration and configuration with PIX rounds out the Section.

Case studies are included, examples of the router code, an abundance of other examples and well as hands on tasks makes this a must have for everyone network manager, administrator and security specialist.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Most errors ever published in a book, January 18, 2002

By	"heilxmq" (Cape Girardeau, MO United States) - See all my reviews

They should contact Guinness on this one. Almost every page has some type of error. (Mislabeled IP addresses, mistyped configs, etc.) It's amazing! Seriously though, the content in the book is good. However, the number of errors is bad. If there weren't any errors, I would have given it a 5.