Network Security Architectures (Networking Technology)

Expert guidance on designing secure networks

• Understand security best practices and how to take advantage of the networking gear you already have
• Review designs for campus, edge, and teleworker networks of varying sizes
• Learn design considerations for device hardening, Layer 2 and Layer 3 security issues, denial of service, IPsec VPNs, and network identity
• Understand security design considerations for common applications such as DNS, mail, and web
• Identify the key security roles and placement issues for network security elements such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, VPN gateways, content filtering, as well as for traditional network infrastructure devices such as routers and switches
• Learn 10 critical steps to designing a security system for your network
• Examine secure network management designs that allow your management communications to be secure while still maintaining maximum utility
• Try your hand at security design with three included case studies
• Benefit from the experience of the principal architect of the original Cisco Systems SAFE Security Blueprint

Written by the principal architect of the original Cisco Systems SAFE Security Blueprint, Network Security Architectures is your comprehensive how-to guide to designing and implementing a secure network. Whether your background is security or networking, you can use this book to learn how to bridge the gap between a highly available, efficient network and one that strives to maximize security. The included secure network design techniques focus on making network and security technologies work together as a unified system rather than as isolated systems deployed in an ad-hoc way.

Beginning where other security books leave off, Network Security Architectures shows you how the various technologies that make up a security system can be used together to improve your network's security. The technologies and best practices you'll find within are not restricted to a single vendor but broadly apply to virtually any network system. This book discusses the whys and hows of security, from threats and counter measures to how to set up your security policy to mesh with your network architecture. After learning detailed security best practices covering everything from Layer 2 security to e-commerce design, you'll see how to apply the best practices to your network and learn to design your own security system to incorporate the requirements of your security policy. You'll review detailed designs that deal with today's threats through applying defense-in-depth techniques and work through case studies to find out how to modify the designs to address the unique considerations found in your network.

Whether you are a network or security engineer, Network Security Architectures will become your primary reference for designing and building a secure network.

This book is part of the Networking Technology Series from Cisco Press, which offers networking professionals valuable information for constructing efficient networks, understanding new technologies, and building successful careers.

Relatively little of this book is concerned with software configuration details, and it's generally not a paean to Cisco Systems products. Rather, this is a design guide, advising that it's usually best to put the proxy server inside the firewall and often a good idea to put IP phones on a private (RFC 1918) address range. Sean Convery--he wrote one of Cisco's standard security white papers--diligently explains why his advice is as it is, and how anticipated evolutions in technology might change design decisions. He makes clear that network security is an evolving discipline, but in this book documents the state of the art very well. Read this, then keep up with the latest on the Web sites, and you'll be in great shape to keep your networks safe. --David Wall

Topics covered: How to design data networks (including those that carry voice over IP) to be as inherently secure as possible. Threat assessment, device hardening, safe routing, VPNs, and the specific risks and requirements of applications (such as email) are covered. Detailed designs appear for common situations, such as securing telecommuter connections and tightening security on a corporate campus.