This course explores firewall fundamentals, rules, filters, design strategies, and deployment best practices. Students also learn about virtual private networks (VPNs) for secure remote access.
Two key technologies for protecting a network are firewalls and virtual private networking (VPNs). This four-lesson, web-based course steps through pfSense Firewall configuration on a client and server and VPN configuration. The course offers textbook chapters, lectures, and virtual labs that duplicate real-world scenarios. Qualified instructors are available to answer questions about the content and theory.
To begin, you will learn how to configure pfSense Firewall to protect a client computer by answering a set of configuration questions and then implementing the configuration choices you made. Next, you will configure pfSense Firewall to protect a server using steps similar to the ones you used for a client computer. Then you will configure the server side of the Linux Debian Openswan VPN. Finally, you will configure a Windows Server 2008 machine as a VPN client to connect to a Linux Debian Openswan VPN. Then you will use the Wireshark protocol analyzer to look at the tunneled VPN traffic using the IPsec protocol, and compare it with the non-tunneled traffic.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the fundamental functions performed by firewalls.
- Describe the fundamental functions performed by VPNs.
- Configure and implement firewalls and VPNs for optimal security.
Framework Connections
The materials within this course focus on the NICE Framework Task, Knowledge, and Skill statements identified within the indicated NICE Framework component(s):
Specialty Areas
- Cyber Defense Infrastructure Support
Feedback
If you would like to provide feedback on this course, please e-mail the NICCS team at NICCS@mail.cisa.dhs.gov. Please keep in mind that NICCS does not own this course or accept payment for course entry. If you have questions related to the details of this course, such as cost, prerequisites, how to register, etc., please contact the course training provider directly. You can find course training provider contact information by following the link that says “Visit course page for more information...” on this page.