Discover how to secure networks and protect valuable information from cyber attacks. You'll gain essential skills in recognizing network-level vulnerabilities and implementing security measures like firewalls and virtual private networks. This course builds on foundational cybersecurity topics. This is the third course in the Google Cybersecurity Certificate, a series designed to prepare you for an entry-level cybersecurity role.

Syllabus

Network architecture

Introduction to Course 3
Course 3 overview
Welcome to module 1
Chris: My path to cybersecurity
What are networks?
Tina: Working in network security
Emmanuel: Useful skills for network security
Network tools
Network components, devices, and diagrams
Cloud networks
Cloud computing and software-defined networks
Practice Quiz: Test your knowledge: Introduction to networks
Introduction to network communication
The TCP/IP model
The four layers of the TCP/IP model
Learn more about the TCP/IP model
The OSI model
Practice Quiz: Test your knowledge: Network communication
IP addresses and network communication
Components of network layer communication
Practice Quiz: Test your knowledge: Local and wide network communication
Wrap-up
Glossary terms from module 1
Graded Quiz: Module 1 Challenge

Network operations

Welcome to module 2
Network protocols
Common network protocols
Additional network protocols
Antara: Working in network security
Wireless protocols
The evolution of wireless security protocols
Practice Quiz: Test your knowledge: Recognize different network protocols
Firewalls and network security measures
Virtual private networks (VPNs)
Security zones
Subnetting and CIDR
Proxy servers
Virtual networks and privacy
VPN protocols: Wireguard and IPSec
Practice Quiz: Test your knowledge: System identification
Wrap-up
Glossary terms from module 2
Graded Quiz: Module 2 Challenge

Secure against network intrusions

Welcome to module 3
The case for securing networks
How intrusions compromise your system
Matt: A professional on dealing with attacks
Denial of Service (DoS) attacks
Read tcpdump logs
Real-life DDoS attack
Practice Quiz: Activity: Analyze network layer communication
Activity Exemplar: Analyze network layer communication
Practice Quiz: Test your knowledge: Secure networks against Denial of Service (DoS) attacks
Malicious packet sniffing
IP Spoofing
Overview of interception tactics
Practice Quiz: Activity: Analyze network attacks
Activity Exemplar: Analyze network attacks
Practice Quiz: Test your knowledge: Network interception attack tactics
Wrap-up
Glossary terms from module 3
Graded Quiz: Module 3 Challenge

Security hardening

Welcome to module 4
Security hardening
OS hardening practices
Brute force attacks and OS hardening
Practice Quiz: Activity: Apply OS hardening techniques
Activity Exemplar: Apply OS hardening techniques
Practice Quiz: Test your knowledge: OS hardening
Network hardening practices
Network security applications
Practice Quiz: Activity: Analysis of network hardening
Activity Exemplar: Analysis of network hardening
Practice Quiz: Test your knowledge: Network hardening
Network security in the cloud
Kelsey: Cloud security explained
Secure the cloud
Cryptography and cloud security
Practice Quiz: Test your knowledge: Cloud hardening
Wrap-up
Glossary terms from module 4
Graded Quiz: Module 4 Challenge
Graded Quiz: Portfolio Activity: Use the NIST Cybersecurity Framework to respond to a security incident
Portfolio Activity Exemplar: Use the NIST Cybersecurity Framework to respond to a security incident
Course wrap-up
Course 3 glossary
Get started on the next course
Course 3 resources and citations