Application
This unit applies to information technology (IT) professionals who install, configure and test secure networks of any size.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Assess network security threats and vulnerabilities to identify risk | 1.1 Assess and report on current system security, according to required asset security level 1.2 Determine additional network, software, hardware and system security threats and vulnerabilities 1.3 Use identified threats and vulnerability information to identify security risks 1.4 Make recommendations to management to address security deficiencies, according to current and future commercial and business requirements |
2. Implement countermeasures for identified vulnerabilities and threats | 2.1 Implement required level of perimeter security based on current and future business needs 2.2 Assess and implement best practice server and network hardening techniques and measures 2.3 Implement secure authentication and user account controls 2.4 Secure data integrity and transmission |
3. Test and verify functionality and performance of security system implemented | 3.1 Design test items to verify key function and performance measures against criteria 3.2 Conduct function and performance tests recording results 3.3 Modify and debug security system as necessary 3.4 Develop documentation on current system settings and file for future reference |
4. Provide systems for monitoring and maintaining security | 4.1 Monitor current network security, including physical aspects, using appropriate third-party testing software where applicable 4.2 Review logs and audit reports to identify and record security incidents, intrusions or attempts 4.3 Carry out spot checks and audits to ensure that procedures are not being bypassed 4.4 Document newly discovered security threats, vulnerabilities and risks in a report for presentation to appropriate person to gain approval for changes to be made |
Required Skills
Required skills
analytical skills to:
analyse systems evaluation
review system security logs for breaches
communication skills to liaise with clients
literacy skills to write reports for evaluating system security status according to organisational security policies
numeracy skills to undertake a cost-benefit comparison
problem-solving skills to:
determine intrusion detection
troubleshoot and debug
research skills to identify and analyse network security methodologies and technologies
technical skills to:
develop enterprise policies strategies and procedures
implement local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), virtual private network (VPN) and wireless local area network (WLAN) solutions
implement security strategies and configure network security software and hardware
install hardware and software related to improving network security
undertake a network security risk assessment.
Required knowledge
authentication issues
overview knowledge of:
client business domain, including client organisation structure and business functionality
features and capabilities of networking technologies
privacy issues and privacy legislation
security information sources
risk analysis
common VPN issues, including bandwidth and dynamic security environment
configuring routers and switches
current industry-accepted hardware and software security products, with broad knowledge of general features and capabilities
function and operation of VPN concepts, including encryption, firewalls, packet tunnelling and authentication
network protocols and operating systems
organisational issues surrounding security
security perimeters and their functions
security protocols, standards and data encryption
security threats, including eavesdropping, data interception, data corruption, data falsification
types of VPNs, including site-to-site, user-to-site internet traffic and extranets
systems and procedures related to:
audit and intrusion detection systems
auditing and penetration testing techniques
cryptography
LAN, WLAN and WAN
screened subnets
transmission control protocols or internet protocols (TCPs/IPs) and applications
use of virus detection software.
Evidence Required
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment | |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | Evidence of the ability to: assess and identify security threats, vulnerabilities and risks determine appropriate countermeasure for threat, vulnerability or risk implement countermeasure per threat or risk install, configure and test network elements to ensure perimeter security test and verify function and performance of selected security measures monitor network for suspicious activity taking appropriate action where necessary document newly discovered threats, vulnerabilities and risks, including change recommendations for approval. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to: site where secure network installation may be conducted network security documentation equipment specifications network components hardware and software firewalls (hardware and software) live network organisational guidelines networked (LAN) computers WAN service point of presence appropriate learning and assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs. |
Method of assessment | A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit: documentation of current system security analysis that outlines required enterprise security requirements identification of additional security threats and vulnerabilities verbal or written questioning to assess candidate’s knowledge of network security direct observation of candidate performing tasks required to successfully install, configure and test a secure network direct observation of candidate performing tasks required to successfully test function and performance of secure network direct observation of candidate performing tasks required to successfully monitor and document newly discovered security threats, vulnerabilities and risks. |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, where appropriate. Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and suitable to the communication skill level, language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed. Indigenous people and other people from a non-English speaking background may need additional support. In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. |
Range Statement
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
System may include: | applications databases gateways operating systems servers WAN communication links workstations. |
Asset may include: | data and information intellectual property physical assets. |
Network may include: | intranets large and small LANs internet VPNs WANs WLANs. |
Software may include: | applications: commercial customised in-house packaged encryption modules operating systems security: antivirus firewall spyware utilities: audit network monitoring. |
Hardware may include: | analog modems digital subscriber line (DSL) modems firewall devices network cabling wired and wireless networks notebooks personal computers routers servers switches workstations. |
Security threats may include: | by-pass denial of service eavesdropping elevation of privilege hacking impersonation manipulation penetration repudiation viruses or malicious code. |
Vulnerabilities may relate to: | application bugs communications devices firmware flaws firewall misconfigurations operating system bugs poor bandwidth control measures transmitting data in plain text unnecessary services and protocols weak authentication techniques weak permissions weak physical security. |
Commercial and business requirements may include: | availability backup and recovery of data confidentiality firewalls hacking prevention integrity password logons remote access to internal network. |
Perimeter security may include: | access control auditing authentication authorisation hardware or software firewalls identification network address translation (NAT) surveillance. |
Server may include: | web file and print firewall file transfer protocol (FTP) proxy, cache voice over internet protocol (VoIP). |
Hardening techniques may include: | demilitarised zones (DMZ) encryption intrusion detection system (IDS) operating system patch application and management rigid shared resource permissions service pack application strong firewall configurations, including unused port blocking strong physical security strong user authentication techniques unused services and protocols disablement. |
Data integrity may include: | encryption hash encoding protocol control VPN. |
Document may include: | audit trails International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and Australian Standards (AS) standards naming standards project management templates report writing principles security analysis report version control. |
Appropriate person may include: | supervisor authorised business representative client. |
Sectors
Networking
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement but users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.