Network Security Foundations: Securing Data and Devices

Name: Network Security Foundations: Securing Data and Devices
Rating: 4.9 (7 reviews)

A comprehensive guide to securing networks, preventing attacks and safeguarding digital infrastructure.

Created byDoğaç Artem

Last updated 11/2025

English

What you'll learn

Learn how network security protects all layers and how to identify, prevent, and respond to common network threats.
Learn how protocols like TCP/IP and DNS work together, and how attackers exploit them to compromise network systems.
Understand encryption, VPNs, and IPsec to ensure secure data transmission and protect network communications.
Build skills in firewalls, IDS/IPS, and access control while learning effective network protection methods.

Course content

8 sections • 46 lectures • 2h 21m total length

What is Network Security?2:07
Learn what network security means, its importance and the core goals it aims to achieve in protecting information systems.
Physical Network Fundamentals3:29
Understand the physical components of a network, cables, switches, routers and how they influence overall security.
Core Network Protocols (TCP/IP, UDP, ICMP)5:19
Explore the essential communication protocols that form the backbone of data transmission and how attackers exploit them.
Network Protocols Glossary2:30
Review key protocol definitions and functions to build a solid technical vocabulary before diving deeper.
Network Security Goals and Principles2:25
Examine the foundational security pillars, confidentiality, integrity, availability and how they shape protection strategies.
Achieving Network Security3:46
Learn how layered defenses, encryption and monitoring combine to achieve comprehensive network protection.
Understanding Network Security Through Real-World Attacks1:04
Analyze historical cyberattacks to see how vulnerabilities are exploited and what lessons they teach about defense.
Free/Open-Source Tools (Wireshark, Nmap, OpenVPN, pfSense)2:59
Get introduced to essential tools used by cybersecurity professionals for analysis, monitoring and protection.
Mini Simulation: Map and Analyze a Small Network

Protecting Data in Transit2:36
Understand how encryption protects information as it travels across networks.
Email Security Essentials6:54
Learn about spam filters, email spoofing and message encryption techniques.
PGP (Pretty Good Privacy)2:17
Explore how PGP secures email communication using encryption and digital signatures.
S/MIME (Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions)2:34
Understand how S/MIME provides authentication and confidentiality in corporate email systems.
DNS Security Basics and DNSSEC3:23
Discover how DNS works, its vulnerabilities and how DNSSEC protects against spoofing and hijacking.
Mini Lab: Exploring DNS Resolution0:41

Importance of Transport Layer Security2:45
See how the transport layer ensures reliable, secure communication between devices.
TLS (Transport Layer Security) Deep Dive7:48
Break down TLS handshakes, certificates, and encryption mechanisms in detail.
HTTPS and Secure Browsing Practices3:42
Learn how HTTPS works and how to recognize secure vs. insecure connections online.
SSH (Secure Shell) Configurations5:25
Master secure remote access using SSH and best practices for authentication and key management.

Network Layer Security Concepts4:28
Understand how data packets are routed securely across different networks.
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)2:41
Explore how VPNs create secure tunnels for remote communication and privacy.
IPsec Fundamentals and Encryption Protocols2:32
Learn how IPsec secures IP traffic through encryption and authentication.
IPsec Modes of Communication1:31
IPsec Protocols2:03
IPsec Security Associations5:16
See how IPsec peers establish trust and maintain secure connections through SAs.
Mini Quiz

Controlling Access to Network Devices2:24
Learn how administrators secure network hardware from unauthorized access.
User Authentication and Authorization in Networks2:02
Understand how users are verified and granted permissions within a network.
Password Based Authentication1:37
Review password security best practices and their limitations.
Centralized Authentication Methods (RADIUS, TACACS+)1:46
Explore centralized authentication systems for managing large-scale networks.
Access Control Lists (ACLs)2:08
See how ACLs filter network traffic and enforce security policies.
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)1:30
Network Admission Control (NAC)1:47
Mini Lab: Exploring User Accounts and Privileges0:42

Firewalls Based on Network Placement3:46
Differentiate between host-based and network firewalls and their roles in layered defense.
Firewall Deployment Models and Filtering Methods2:45
Learn how packet filtering, proxying and stateful inspection protect networks.
Firewall Deployment with a DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)5:22
Understand how DMZs isolate public services from internal systems.
IDS/IPS Network Setup3:50
Explore how Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems monitor and respond to network threats.
Mini Lab: Viewing Firewall Rules and Network Connections0:24
Mini Simulation: Secure a New Remote Work System

Requirements

There is no requirement other than motivation.

Description

Designed to build a solid foundation in network security, this course is ideal for beginners and professionals aiming to strengthen their understanding of how networks are structured, secured, and defended.

Course Highlights:

Introduction to Network Security: Understand what network security is, why it matters, and how physical networks, protocols, and security principles form the foundation of secure communication.

Protocols and Fundamentals: Explore how TCP/IP, UDP and ICMP function, and learn how open-source tools like Wireshark and Nmap can be used to analyze and secure network activity.

Application and Transport Security: Learn how to secure data in transit using encryption, protect email systems with PGP and S/MIME and ensure safe browsing through HTTPS, TLS and SSH configurations.

Network Layer Protection: Discover how VPNs and IPsec work to create secure communication channels and protect data traveling across public networks.

Data Link Layer Security: Examine vulnerabilities such as ARP spoofing and MAC flooding and apply defensive techniques in wired and wireless environments using VLANs and WPA3.

Network Access Control: Learn authentication and authorization methods, including RADIUS, TACACS+, ACLs, RBAC and Network Admission Control, to control who can access network resources.

Firewalls and Intrusion Detection/Prevention: Understand different firewall architectures, DMZ configurations and IDS/IPS systems and learn how they protect networks from unauthorized access and malicious activity.

Advanced Network Security Practices: Explore network segmentation, incident handling and security roles, gaining insight into how organizations maintain resilience against evolving threats.

Embark on this learning journey to understand, secure, and defend modern networks, gaining the essential knowledge and skills to protect data, devices, and digital systems.

Who this course is for:

Anyone passionate about network security and seeking growth opportunities in this field.

Network Security Foundations: Securing Data and Devices

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction to Network Security8 lectures • 24min

Application Layer Security6 lectures • 18min

Transport Layer Security4 lectures • 20min

Network Layer Security6 lectures • 19min

Data Link Layer Security6 lectures • 21min

Network Access Control8 lectures • 14min

Firewalls and Intrusion Detection/Prevention5 lectures • 16min

Advanced Network Security Practices3 lectures • 11min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: