100 Days Plan -Network Security Mastery Plan

1. About Network Security

Network Security involves implementing policies, tools, and practices to protect networks and their data from threats such as malware, hackers, and unauthorized access. It ensures that only authorized users and devices can access network resources while preventing malicious activities.

Key Areas of Focus:

• Firewalls : Controlling incoming and outgoing traffic.
• Intrusion Detection & Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS) : Monitoring and blocking suspicious activities.
• Encryption : Protecting data in transit using cryptographic protocols.
• Authentication & Authorization : Ensuring only legitimate users access the network.
• Vulnerability Management : Identifying and mitigating weaknesses in the network.

Key Applications:

• Corporate Networks : Securing enterprise IT infrastructure.
• Cloud Networks : Protecting cloud-based services and applications.
• IoT Security : Securing Internet of Things (IoT) devices and networks.
• Cyber Defense : Preventing cyberattacks like DDoS, phishing, and ransomware.

2. Why Learn Network Security?

• High Demand : Network security professionals are in demand as cyberattacks increase.
• Career Growth : Lucrative salaries and opportunities in cybersecurity.
• Critical Skill : Essential for securing sensitive data and ensuring business continuity.
• Certifications : Gain industry-recognized certifications like CompTIA Security+, CISSP, and CCNA Security.
• Real-World Impact : Help prevent data breaches and protect organizations from costly cyberattacks.

3. Full Syllabus

Phase 1: Basics (Weeks 1–4)

1. Introduction to Networking
   • What is Networking?
   • Key Concepts: IP Addressing, Subnetting, DNS, DHCP.
   • OSI Model: Layers and Functions.
2. Network Security Fundamentals
   • CIA Triad: Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability.
   • Common Threats: Malware, Phishing, DDoS, Man-in-the-Middle.
   • Tools: Wireshark, Nmap.
3. Firewalls
   • Types of Firewalls: Packet Filtering, Stateful Inspection, Next-Gen Firewalls.
   • Configuring Firewalls: Rules, Policies, Zones.
   • Tools: pfSense, Cisco ASA.
4. Encryption Basics
   • Symmetric vs Asymmetric Encryption.
   • Protocols: SSL/TLS, IPsec, SSH.
   • Tools: OpenSSL, GPG.

Phase 2: Intermediate (Weeks 5–8)

5. Intrusion Detection & Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS)
   • How IDS/IPS Works: Signature-Based vs Anomaly-Based Detection.
   • Tools: Snort, Suricata, Zeek.
6. Authentication & Authorization
   • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
   • Protocols: RADIUS, TACACS+, LDAP.
   • Tools: Active Directory, FreeRADIUS.
7. Wireless Network Security
   • Securing Wi-Fi Networks: WPA3, MAC Filtering.
   • Tools: Aircrack-ng, Kismet.
8. Vulnerability Scanning
   • Identifying Vulnerabilities in Networks and Systems.
   • Tools: Nessus, OpenVAS, Qualys.

Phase 3: Advanced (Weeks 9–12)

9. Penetration Testing
   • Conducting penetration tests on networks.
   • Tools: Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap.
10. Incident Response
    • Detecting and Responding to Security Incidents.
    • Tools: Splunk, ELK Stack, SIEM Solutions.
11. Cloud Network Security
    • Securing Cloud Environments: AWS VPC, Azure NSG, GCP Firewall Rules.
    • Tools: Cloud Custodian, Prisma Cloud.
12. IoT Security
    • Challenges in Securing IoT Devices.
    • Tools: Shodan, IoT Inspector.

Phase 4: Real-World Applications (Weeks 13–16)

13. Network Hardening
    • Implementing Best Practices for Network Security.
    • Examples: Disabling Unused Ports, Patch Management.
14. Threat Intelligence
    • Using Threat Intelligence to Proactively Secure Networks.
    • Tools: MISP, AlienVault OTX.
15. Compliance & Auditing
    • Ensuring Compliance with Regulations: PCI-DSS, HIPAA, GDPR.
    • Tools: Nessus, Qualys.
16. Capstone Project
    • Perform a comprehensive security assessment on a simulated network.
    • Examples: Harden a corporate network, configure a firewall, or detect vulnerabilities.

4. Projects to Do

Beginner Projects

1. Set Up a Firewall :
   • Configure a basic firewall using pfSense or iptables.
   • Block specific IP addresses or ports.
2. Scan for Vulnerabilities :
   • Use Nmap or Nessus to scan a network for open ports and vulnerabilities.
   • Generate a report of findings.
3. Encrypt Data :
   • Encrypt files using OpenSSL or GPG.
   • Practice encrypting and decrypting data.

Intermediate Projects

4. Wi-Fi Penetration Testing :
   • Crack a Wi-Fi password using Aircrack-ng.
   • Practice on a controlled environment.
5. Configure IDS/IPS :
   • Set up Snort or Suricata to monitor network traffic.
   • Test detection of suspicious activities.
6. Simulate a DDoS Attack :
   • Simulate a Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack in a lab environment.
   • Tools: LOIC, Wireshark.

Advanced Projects

7. Full Penetration Test :
   • Conduct a penetration test on a simulated network.
   • Tools: Metasploit, Burp Suite.
8. Secure a Cloud Network :
   • Configure security groups and firewalls in AWS, Azure, or GCP.
   • Test isolation and access control.
9. Incident Response Simulation :
   • Simulate a security incident (e.g., ransomware attack).
   • Use tools like Splunk or ELK Stack to detect and respond.

5. Valid Links for Learning Network Security

English Resources

1. freeCodeCamp :
   • Network Security Full Course .
2. NetworkChuck :
   • Networking and Security Tutorials .
3. The Cyber Mentor :
   • Network Security and Ethical Hacking .
4. Cisco Networking Academy :
   • CCNA Security Tutorials .
5. YouTube Channels :
   • Professor Messer (CompTIA Security+) .
   • ITProTV .

Hindi Resources

1. CodeWithHarry :
   • Network Security Tutorial in Hindi .
2. Thapa Technical :
   • Network Security Beginner Tutorials .
3. Hitesh Choudhary :
   • Network Security Crash Course .

6. Final Tips

1. Start Small : Begin with simple projects like setting up a firewall to understand the basics of network security.
2. Practice Daily : Spend at least 1 hour exploring network security tools and configurations every day.
3. Focus on Certifications : Pursue certifications like CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or CCNA Security.
4. Stay Updated : Follow blogs like Krebs on Security , Dark Reading , or Medium for the latest updates.
5. Join Communities : Engage with forums like Reddit’s r/netsec or Discord groups for support.