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Computer Networks and Network Security
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IBM

Computer Networks and Network Security

This course is part of multiple programs.

This course is part of multiple programs

IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate
IT Fundamentals for Cybersecurity Specialization
IBM Skills Network Team
Dr. Manish Kumar

Instructors: IBM Skills Network Team

Instructors

Instructor ratings

We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.

4.5 (840 ratings)
IBM Skills Network Team
IBM Skills Network Team
IBM
82 Courses•1,396,138 learners
Dr. Manish Kumar
Dr. Manish Kumar
IBM
8 Courses•178,691 learners

117,069 already enrolled

Included with Coursera Plus

•Learn more
5 modules
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

(3,410 reviews)

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

Recommended experience

Intermediate level

Microsoft Windows, Linux, or MacOS operating systems and command line interface proficiency

Flexible schedule
2 weeks at 10 hours a week
Learn at your own pace
90%
Most learners liked this course

5 modules
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

(3,410 reviews)

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

Recommended experience

Intermediate level

Microsoft Windows, Linux, or MacOS operating systems and command line interface proficiency

Flexible schedule
2 weeks at 10 hours a week
Learn at your own pace
90%
Most learners liked this course
  • About
  • Outcomes
  • Modules
  • Recommendations
  • Testimonials
  • Reviews

What you'll learn

  • Sought-after computer network and network security skills businesses need to protect the network and endpoint devices from unwanted intrusions.

  • How to apply organization policies to protect endpoint devices from attacks using firewall settings, and outbound and inbound rulesets.

  • Install, configure, apply patches and use cloud-based software to find, quarantine, and remove malware and for intrusion detection systems

  • Perform the tasks necessary to provide recommendations for network hardware devices, network security, and network monitoring and management

Skills you'll gain

  • Wireless Networks
  • Information Systems Security
  • Firewall
  • TCP/IP
  • Network Infrastructure
  • Network Routing
  • Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
  • General Networking
  • Endpoint Security
  • Intrusion Detection and Prevention
  • Endpoint Detection and Response
  • Data Loss Prevention
  • Networking Hardware
  • Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
  • Network Security
  • Network Planning And Design
  • Network Analysis
  • Cybersecurity
  • Local Area Networks
  • Network Protocols

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

11 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer
Taught in English

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When you enroll in this course, you'll also be asked to select a specific program.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 5 modules in this course

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a 32% growth in information security analyst jobs until 2032. These analysts are in demand as part of the team that keeps networks secure. 

This course provides practical hands-on computer networking and network security experience that employers want. Through innovative hands-on labs, you'll learn how to secure a small home office network (SOHO), install and configure DHCP, and filter DNS. You’ll also get real-world practice installing and using an open-source Extended Detection and Response (XDR) system.    Additionally, you’ll build valuable supporting knowledge of ports, protocols, and IP addresses, including IPv6 and network routing. You’ll learn about Layer 2 and 3 addressing, routers, and routing tables.   Plus, you’ll develop knowledge of cybersecurity analyst tools for data protection, endpoint protection, and SIEM, which you can apply to an organization’s compliance and threat intelligence needs, which is crucial in today’s cybersecurity landscape.  You’ll complete a final project where you will demonstrate your ability to perform network and security planning tasks.  Networking and network security skills pay. Invest in yourself and enroll today!

In this module, you’ll learn about networking hardware, including routers and switches. You'll gain essential job-ready knowledge of wireless networking standards. Learn about basic network design and gain practical experience designing and drawing a basic network structure based on requirements. You'll also engage in practical identification exercises about network ports, protocols, and protocol tables that you’ll need to understand key networking models.

What's included

6 videos3 readings2 assignments1 app item1 discussion prompt5 plugins

6 videos•Total 34 minutes
  • Course Introduction•3 minutes•Preview module
  • Computer Networks: Networking Hardware Devices•7 minutes
  • Models, Standards, Protocols, and Ports •7 minutes
  • Computer Networks: Wireless Networks and Standards•6 minutes
  • Protocol Table•7 minutes
  • Microsoft Windows Server Lab Environment•2 minutes
3 readings•Total 17 minutes
  • Course Overview•5 minutes
  • Summary & Highlights  •2 minutes
  • Summary: Networking Fundamentals•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 30 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Networking Fundamentals•9 minutes
  • Graded Quiz: Networking Fundamentals•21 minutes
1 app item•Total 10 minutes
  • Lab: Exploring Networking Ports and Protocols•10 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
  • [Optional] Design a network structure for the future•10 minutes
5 plugins•Total 68 minutes
  • Reading: Helpful Tips for Course Completion•3 minutes
  • Activity: Identifying Wireless Network Technologies•15 minutes
  • Reading: Designing a Basic Network Structure•15 minutes
  • Lab: Designing a Basic Network Structure•30 minutes
  • Glossary: Networking Fundamentals•5 minutes

After completing this module, you will be able to explain and apply IP addressing, IP address structure and network classes, IP protocols, traffic routing, and the IPv6 address schema. You’ll also be able to compare the structure and uses of IPv4 and IPv6. You’ll be able to explain basic network routing principles, Layer 2 and Layer 3 addressing, and Address Resolution Protocols (ARP) and describe the basics of routers and routing table sessions. You'll gain experience you can use in the real world when you learn how to secure a small office/home office (SOHO) network.

What's included

10 videos1 reading3 assignments3 plugins

10 videos•Total 55 minutes
  • IP Addressing - The Basics of Binary •7 minutes•Preview module
  • IP Address Structure and Network Classes •7 minutes
  • IP Protocol and Traffic Routing •7 minutes
  • Introduction to the IPv6 Address Schema •7 minutes
  • Basics of Network Routing •2 minutes
  • Layer 2 and Layer 3 Addressing•4 minutes
  • Address Resolution Protocol •6 minutes
  • Routers and Routing Tables, Part 1 •2 minutes
  • Routers and Routing Tables, Part 2 •3 minutes
  • Routers and Routing Tables, Part 3 •6 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
  • Summary: IP Addressing, Routing and Switching•10 minutes
3 assignments•Total 39 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Basics of IP Addressing•9 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Basics of Routing and Switching•9 minutes
  • Graded Quiz: IP Addressing, Routing and Switching•21 minutes
3 plugins•Total 40 minutes
  • IP Addressing and Subnet Masking•15 minutes
  • Lab: Securing a SOHO Network•20 minutes
  • Glossary: IP Addressing, Routing and Switching•5 minutes

In this module, you'll learn about network protocols and security measures, combining theoretical knowledge with practical applications. You will begin with an introduction to application and transport protocols, focusing on UDP and TCP. You will then explore DNS and DHCP and experience a hands-on lab for configuring DHCP and an activity on DNS filtering. Then learn how to use Syslog message logs and network analysis techniques, including port mirroring, promiscuous mode, and user behavior analysis.

What's included

8 videos1 reading3 assignments2 app items1 discussion prompt4 plugins

8 videos•Total 45 minutes
  • Application and Transport Protocols, Part 1 •5 minutes•Preview module
  • Application and Transport Protocols, Part 2 •6 minutes
  • DNS and DHCP •6 minutes
  • DNS Filtering •7 minutes
  • Syslog Message Logging Protocol •4 minutes
  • Flows and Network Analysis •2 minutes
  • Port Mirroring and Promiscuous Mode •3 minutes
  • User Behavior Analysis •9 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
  • Summary: Network Protocols•10 minutes
3 assignments•Total 40 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Transport Layer Overview•10 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Application Layer Overview•9 minutes
  • Graded Quiz: Network Protocols•21 minutes
2 app items•Total 35 minutes
  • Lab: Installing and Configuring DHCP•20 minutes
  • Lab: DNS Filtering•15 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
  • [Optional] Securing a High-Profile Corporate Network•10 minutes
4 plugins•Total 90 minutes
  • Lab: Analyzing TCP and UDP Traffic with Wireshark•15 minutes
  • Lab: Protecting Endpoints with OpenEDR•45 minutes
  • Reading: Network Flow Analysis And User Behavior Analysis•15 minutes
  • Glossary: Network Protocols•15 minutes

This module introduces you to network security techniques, including firewall technologies, stateless and stateful inspections, IDS, and IPS systems. You’ll also examine Network Address Translation (NAT) and file integrity monitoring, along with advanced security measures such as Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Network Access Control, and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR). You'll conclude this module with a hands-on lab where you can gain real-world experience with an open-source Extended Detection and Response (XDR) application.

What's included

11 videos1 reading3 assignments4 app items2 plugins

11 videos•Total 60 minutes
  • Stateless Inspection •4 minutes•Preview module
  • Stateful Inspection •4 minutes
  • Firewall Filters with Intrusion Systems •5 minutes
  • Using Your Microsoft Windows Lab Workspace•3 minutes
  • Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems Compared •5 minutes
  • Network Address Translation •6 minutes
  • File Integrity Monitoring •7 minutes
  • Data Loss Prevention (DLP)•4 minutes
  • Network Access Control (NAC)•5 minutes
  • Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) •6 minutes
  • Extended Detection and Response •7 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
  • Summary: Network Security Techniques•10 minutes
3 assignments•Total 40 minutes
  • Practice quiz: Firewall, IDS, and IPS•9 minutes
  • Practice Quiz: Network Access Control, EDR, and XDR•10 minutes
  • Graded Quiz: Network Security Techniques•21 minutes
4 app items•Total 105 minutes
  • [Optional] Lab: Protocols and Ports in Windows Defender•10 minutes
  • Hands-on Lab: Windows Firewall with Advanced Security•45 minutes
  • Lab: Configuring Firewalls in Microsoft Windows•20 minutes
  • Lab: Intrusion Detection System Activity•30 minutes
2 plugins•Total 30 minutes
  • Reading: Limitations of Firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)•15 minutes
  • Glossary: Network Security Techniques•15 minutes

In this module, you will apply the course knowledge and hands-on skills you gained in prior modules to complete your final peer-reviewed project. During your final project, you complete real-world tasks, including designing a network with subnets, calculating subnet addresses and subnet masks, configuring firewalls, and analyzing website traffic.

What's included

1 video3 readings1 peer review1 app item

1 video•Total 6 minutes
  • Course Summary•6 minutes•Preview module
3 readings•Total 18 minutes
  • Final Project Overview •5 minutes
  • Congratulations and Next Steps•3 minutes
  • Thanks from the Course Team•10 minutes
1 peer review•Total 45 minutes
  • Peer-Graded Final Assignment•45 minutes
1 app item•Total 60 minutes
  • Final Project: Network Design and Security Configuration•60 minutes

Earn a career certificate

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Instructors

Instructor ratings

Instructor ratings

We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.

4.5 (840 ratings)
IBM Skills Network Team
IBM Skills Network Team
IBM
82 Courses•1,396,138 learners
Dr. Manish Kumar
Dr. Manish Kumar
IBM
8 Courses•178,691 learners

Offered by

IBM

Offered by

IBM

At IBM, we know how rapidly tech evolves and recognize the crucial need for businesses and professionals to build job-ready, hands-on skills quickly. As a market-leading tech innovator, we’re committed to helping you thrive in this dynamic landscape. Through IBM Skills Network, our expertly designed training programs in AI, software development, cybersecurity, data science, business management, and more, provide the essential skills you need to secure your first job, advance your career, or drive business success. Whether you’re upskilling yourself or your team, our courses, Specializations, and Professional Certificates build the technical expertise that ensures you, and your organization, excel in a competitive world.

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Learner reviews

4.7

3,410 reviews

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M
MG
5

Reviewed on Apr 24, 2020

Very solid course. Quick overview about almost everything you need to know at the beginning. A lot of useful links with additional material to study. Thanks a lot for sharing the knowledge, indeed!

N
NK
5

Reviewed on Jan 5, 2023

It's been an great opportunity to study this course and knowing about the industry behind it and Thank you for the lectures for teaching, I had a good time studying.

L
LL
5

Reviewed on Jul 14, 2020

This course will give you a indepth knowledge on network protocols, addressing layers and Databse vulnerabilities in MySQL and many more. This is an excellent course.

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  • The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Certificate, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.

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