Cisco Firepower Threat Defense and FMC Fundamentals

Name: Cisco Firepower Threat Defense and FMC Fundamentals
Rating: 4.2 (17 reviews)

Master Cisco Firepower Threat Defense and Firewall Management Center: Secure Your Network with Confidence

Created byDan Mill

Last updated 5/2026

English

English [Auto],

What you'll learn

Gain foundational knowledge of Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) and Firepower Management Center (FMC) functionalities.
Perform the initial configuration of FTD and FMC, including network setup and device registration.
Learn to configure and manage critical policies like Access Control, Intrusion/Network Analysis, Malware & File, and Decryption policies.
Set up Security Zones and create rules to control and monitor network traffic effectively.
Understand how to create and utilize network objects and variable sets for flexible policy configurations.
Set up network interfaces, routing, and NAT for secure and efficient network connectivity.
Configure Network Discovery policies to identify assets and improve network visibility.
Use step-by-step lab scenarios to build confidence in configuring and managing FTD and FMC devices.

Course content

8 sections • 51 lectures • 3h 57m total length

Introduction2:26
Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) and Firewall Management Center (FMC)3:25
How to get experience with Cisco FTD and FMC2:11
Course Content1:54
Physical vs Virtual FTD3:00
What is Cisco Firewall Management Center?1:32
Course Activities2:03
Engage actively with assignments, quizzes, and role plays to apply concepts, boost real-world decision-making and problem-solving skills, and reinforce knowledge through hands-on, safe practice.
How to Use Udemy AI Assistant1:55

What is Cisco Modeling Labs?6:00
Installing Cisco Modeling Labs0:48
Why Learn Cisco?3:41
Understanding CML10:36
Explore Cisco Modeling Labs (CML): create and manage labs, add and configure nodes, start devices, monitor resources, use console panes, and link devices for lab scenarios.
Add Static IP to Desktop/Server Device3:14
Learn Cisco Modeling Labs tips for adding static IPs to desktop and server devices, configuring eth0 with IPs, netmasks, and gateways via ifconfig and route.
Desktop VNC and Console2:23
Monitor Resource Usage2:03
Monitor resource usage in Cisco Modeling Labs by tracking CPU, memory, and disk utilization to prevent slowdowns and crashes. Manage lab workloads and adjust allocations as needed.
Delete Devices1:05
Stop the node, wipe the device to remove its virtual machine or configs, and then delete it in Cisco Modeling Labs. Deletion is final and unrecoverable.
Delete Labs2:06
CML Tools1:25

Cisco CML Lab Setup9:30
Set up a Cisco Modeling Labs lab for ftd and fmc with version 2.8+ and a license. Establish a 10.1.1.0/24 management LAN with ftd at 10.1.1.1 and fmc at 10.1.1.2.
Lab Management Network Setup10:04
Set up the lab management LAN for Cisco Firepower devices by configuring IPs on FMC, FTD, and PC, accessing the FMC CLI and web UI, and preparing for device integration.
FMC Base Configuration8:34
FMC Manager Connection to FTD8:56
Network Object creation and Variable Set6:14
Create and manage objects and networks in FMC, including inside LAN and outside network, to streamline policies. Configure the home net variable set to support intrusion policies and snort rules.
Interface Configuration7:14
Deploying Configurations to FTD5:16
Deploy configuration changes to Cisco FTDs using advanced deploy with a granular preview that shows added, edited, and removed items, enabling safe, staged rollout.
Routing3:30
NAT6:11
Basic Access Control Policy Rules10:11
Platform settings2:36

Network Discovery policy3:25
Configure a network discovery policy on Cisco Firepower Threat Defense to build a host database from passive traffic, discover inside zone devices, and view OS, MAC, and IP details.
Malware & File policy5:28
Decryption policy1:57
Firewall Deep Packet Inspection6:28
Explore deep packet inspection (DPI) with firewalls to inspect application-layer traffic, detect threats in encrypted streams, and enforce security and regulatory standards.
Intrusion/Network Analysis policy4:45

Definition and Purpose of Firewalls2:35
Firewalls protect networks from unauthorized access and cyber threats. They monitor data packets, enforce access control by IPs, ports, and protocols, and block malware, ransomware, and phishing while logging traffic.
The Role of Firewalls in Network Security5:52
Explain how network firewalls act as the first line of defense, filtering traffic and supporting a multi-layer security strategy with deep packet inspection, application filtering, and threat intelligence.
Comparison of Firewall Types10:25
Compare Firepower to the ASAv3:51

IT Industry Growth2:42
Cisco Network Engineers of the Future3:05
Develop future-ready networking skills by mastering automation, AI-driven networking, and cloud integration, cybersecurity, including SDN, IAC, Python scripting, and Cisco Devnet, while expanding into cloud providers and Zero Trust Architecture.
A Day in the Life of a Network Engineer10:25
A day in the life of a network engineer covers monitoring, troubleshooting, and ticketing, plus collaboration, long-term projects, and thorough documentation to keep networks secure and reliable.
FTD and FMC Quiz
Course Conclusion1:25

Requirements

Familiarity with networking fundamentals, including IP addressing, routing, and switching concepts.
Access to a lab environment or virtual appliances of Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) and Firepower Management Center (FMC) for hands-on practice (optional but highly recommended).

Description

Are you ready to enhance your network security skills with Cisco’s industry-leading solutions? In this comprehensive course, Cisco FTD and FMC Fundamentals, you will gain a solid understanding of Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) and Firepower Management Center (FMC), empowering you to secure networks effectively and confidently.

This beginner-friendly course is designed for IT professionals, network administrators, and aspiring cybersecurity specialists. Starting with the basics, you’ll learn how to configure and manage Cisco FTD and FMC from the ground up. Through real-world lab scenarios, we’ll cover:

Initial configuration and setup of FTD and FMC.
Creating network objects, variable sets, and security zones.
Configuring interfaces, routes, NAT, and platform settings.
Building Access Control Policies.
Network discovery for improved visibility and security.

Each topic is explained with practical examples and step-by-step instructions, ensuring you gain hands-on experience. For those who want to follow along with the labs, it is recommended to use Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) Version 2.8 or higher with a Paid License to simulate a virtual lab environment.

By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped to deploy, configure, and manage FTD and FMC in real-world environments, whether for small businesses or enterprise networks.

This course is perfect for networking professionals looking to advance their careers, IT administrators transitioning into security roles, and anyone preparing for Cisco certifications like CCNA or CCNP Security.

No prior experience with Cisco FTD or FMC is required—just basic networking knowledge, a passion for learning, and access to a lab environment for practice.

Please note that this course is intended for educational purposes only.

Join today to master the fundamentals of Cisco Firepower and take the next step in your network security journey!

Who this course is for:

Network and Security Professionals
IT Administrators
Aspiring Cybersecurity Specialists

Cisco Firepower Threat Defense and FMC Fundamentals

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction8 lectures • 18min

Cisco Modeling Labs10 lectures • 33min

Cisco Firepower Threat Defense Configuration11 lectures • 1hr 18min

Threat Configuration5 lectures • 22min

Monitoring and Troubleshooting Tools3 lectures • 14min

Bonus Content: Network Firewalls Deep-Dive4 lectures • 23min

A Guide to Cisco Certifications6 lectures • 31min

Course Conclusion4 lectures • 18min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: