BN203 Reflective Report For Networking Fundamentals and CCNA Security

The objective of this assignment is to identify network threats using network security tools. The purpose of the assignment as per Unit Learning Outcomes:

 

1. Explain the major methodologies for secure networks and the threats they address
2. Identify and report network threats, select and implement appropriate countermeasures for network security

1. i) CCNA Security: Prior to attending the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) in Security, I had a prior knowledge  of basic network and information security principles. Through the lectures provided through the course, I developed an understanding of AAA and its design considerations. Such unities grasped over the course period helped me greatly while attending the event on CCNA Security. Firstly, the demonstration of prior knowledge of common security threats within a network helped greatly in understanding how to secure the control, management and data planes of Cisco devices such as the routers.

The most fundamentally important new skills developed included applications of the knowledge on basics of AAA, thereby learning about Command Line Interface, Cisco Configuration Professional and how authenticity differs between TACAS and RADIUS. Furthermore, an understanding on Access Control Lists (ACLs) within threat mitigation environments in network were discussed. Other new skill is developed that I’d like to further explore include the implementation of site- to- site VPN and configured SSL VPN via graphical device manager, in setting up VPN tunnels, and implementation of Cisco Firewall Technologies. 

1. ii) Cyber Security Incident Response Fundamentals: Inherently a fundamental topic in networking, attending the event on the fundamentals of cyber security incident response provided me with a plethora of knowledge. Primarily, I acquired the fundamental understanding on how to better understand factors of where to begin, how to evaluate a situation, how to gather information and evidence in the desired order and in knowing when to request outside assistance. The three step procedure of react, respond and recover during cyber security incident was better to comprehend due to my prior knowledge gained from the lectures held on basic term definitions of incident, anomaly, forensics and computer forensics, in having a prior knowledge on types of attackers, target of attacks, various purposes of attack and the response requirements. Therefore, through such prior knowledge I was able to gain knowledge on the three steps. How to react, that is review policy and procedure, evaluate situation, avoid panic, collect information and take appropriate actions, respond (ii) through requesting information, evaluation of secutation, ot stop the attack and securing the crime scene, in preserving evidence and organizing forensic examination, in finding notes and determining the key causes, and last of all on how to recover (iii) by raising security expectations, evaluation of current security positions, in the creation of implementation plan, the order of actions to be taken, in the validation of implementation and determination of unexpected expectations. 

iii) #Disruptors Tech in Data Analytics: The key knowledge I gained were topics of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a significant technology disruptor, and how cloud computing and machine- learning applications play a key role. Furthermore, in- depth  understanding of IoT (Internet of Things), blockchain, big data for governance, how to avoid data lakes and significance of machine learning in impacting micro- services were gained. 

The exposure gained via CCNA Security is certainly going to help me in applying the knowledge to practical purposes such as being able to test ACLs in test environments, development of secure network management plane and in the implementation of practices such as AAA, Role Based Access Control, NTP, Syslog and others. Through the event on Cyber Security Incident Response Fundamentals the knowledge gained will act as a means to find exposure in applying the core principles such as in the principles of advanced persistent threat attack groups, in discovery of review alerts, log files, common character encodings and carrier files recognition and in the usage of hex editors and indicators effectively. 

Professional Skill Development

Through the three events attended, on CCNA Security (i), Cyber Security Incident Response Fundamentals (ii) and #DisruptorsInTech in Data Analytics (iii)  the skills developed helped me focus on attaining   self- regulating characteristics in order to reflect the professional standards established by the ACS Professional Standards Scheme and in the Professional Standards legislation (ACS, 2015). Each individual events provided me with the opportunity to learn skills in the core knowledge areas of problem solving, abstraction and design, ethics and professionalism, in concepts of teamwork and issues and lastly, in the development of interpersonal communication skills.

Demonstration on how I was able to develop my interpersonal skills, which were my key weak area can be understood through how I was able to improve my skills of negotiation, verbal and nonverbal communication, problem- solving, decision- making and assertiveness through the team work we had to do in all the three courses. Furthermore, other people skills learned included development of an understanding on the importance of ICT application which involve the development of a mindset recognized by  the users, align with their work practices and organizational contexts. 

Table: 

MIT Graduate Attribute	Justification
Ability to Communicate	?
Independent and Lifelong Learning	?
Ethics	?
Amaytical and Problem Solving	?
Cultural and Global Awareness	?
Team Work	?
Specialist knowledge of a field of study	?

As a networking graduate I would like to focus on my interpersonal skill development furthermore. This indicates that there will be a change in the manner of my study and focus, where in the future I’d like to engage new people by being a better listener as IT support help will be asked of by less tech- savvy peers, in multitasking so  I am able to manage multiple problems and projects and last but not the least,would like to increase my exposure to areas of networking and strengthen my specialisation. 

Conclusion

This report provided a reflective analysis, both technical and professional reflection in ICT as three events on networking were attending on the subjects of CCNA Security (i), Cyber Security Incident Response Fundamentals (ii) and #DisruptorsInTech in Data Analytics (iii). The report individually described the key reflection of each events as well as the overall experience, in how the weaknesses of professional skills were improved and how the skills will be further honed in the future.

References

ACS (2015). ACS CORE BODY OF KNOWLEDGE FOR ICT PROFESSIONALS (CBOK), Avilable at: https://www.acs.org.au/content/dam/acs/acs-skills/The-ACS-Core-Body-of-Knowledge-for-ICT-Professionals-CBOK.pdf Accessed: July 10, 2018