Network Security
Overview
Every network that connects to anything else is a target. Some attacks exploit a technical flaw in software; many more exploit a person, tricked into handing over the one piece of information a well-built firewall cannot stop: their own password. Defending a network means addressing both.
This lesson covers how organisations control who and what can access a network, the specific risks that come with cloud and other modern storage, the technical and behavioural attacks a network must defend against, how vulnerabilities are found before an attacker finds them, and the practices that keep software itself secure by design.
Objectives
- Understand the importance of network security and be able to use appropriate validation and authentication techniques (access control, physical security and firewalls)
- Understand security issues associated with the cloud and other contemporary storage
- Understand different forms of cyber attack (based on technical weaknesses and behaviour), including social engineering (phishing, shoulder surfing, pharming), unpatched software, USB devices, digital devices and eavesdropping
- Understand methods of identifying vulnerabilities, including penetration testing, ethical hacking, commercial analysis tools and review of network and user policies
- Understand how to protect software systems from cyber attacks, including considerations at the software design stage, audit trails, securing operating systems, secure coding, code reviews, modular testing and effective network security provision
Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Network Security. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Which term describes proving that a user is who they claim to be? A) Validation B) Authentication C) Access control D) Encryption Answer: B
- An attacker redirects a user to a fake website even though the user typed the correct web address. This is an example of: A) Phishing B) Shoulder surfing C) Pharming D) Eavesdropping Answer: C
- Which of the following is an authorised, controlled attempt to break into a system to find security weaknesses? A) Hacking B) Penetration testing C) Phishing D) Cracking Answer: B
- Why is unpatched software a common security risk? A) It runs more slowly than updated software B) The vulnerability it contains is often already publicly documented by the update that fixes it C) It cannot connect to a network D) It is always more expensive to maintain Answer: B
- Which of the following best describes an audit trail? A) A firewall rule blocking certain IP addresses B) A log recording user activity on a system C) A password policy for user accounts D) An encrypted connection to a website Answer: B
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
Recommended Books
Practice Mock Questions
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