ICAS3032B

Provide network systems administration

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Ensure user accounts are controlled

1.1. Review organisation's network and security policy to ensure up-to-date knowledge and understanding of policies

1.2. Modify default and previously created user settings to ensure that they conform with organisational securitypolicy

1.3. Investigate log-on procedures for security and appropriateness and modify log-on requirements, using relevant utilities, where applicable

1.4. Review and monitor user wireless access of mobile equipment to the network where applicable

1.5. Ensure that appropriate procedures are put in place to deal with user accounts that are no longer required

1.6. Access information resources to identify and understand current, documented security gaps and their associated repair procedure

1.7. Ascertain the security repairs applicable to the current network and discuss with appropriateperson to gain approval for repair implementation

1.8. Obtain and implement the appropriate hardware and software necessary for network security repair

2. Secure file and resource access

2.1. Review inbuilt security and access features of the operating system and document areas for concern

2.2. Analyse the file security categorisation scheme and the role of users in setting file security, in relation to organisational securitypolicy and recommend revision, if necessary

2.3. Implement, if necessary, a process for ongoing updates of virus checking software, at server and workstation levels

2.4. Investigate and implement inbuilt or additional encryption facilities, as appropriate, to meet organisational security needs

3. Monitor threats to the system

3.1. Investigate the current security of the network, including physical aspects, utilising appropriate third-party testing software where applicable

3.2. Review logs and audit reports to identify and record securitythreats, intrusions or attempts

3.3. Carry out spot checks and other activities to ensure that procedures are not being bypassed

3.4. Evaluate the findings of the state of security and prepare recommendations for improvement

3.5. Prepare documentation in a report for presentation to appropriate person to gain approval for changes to be made

Required skills

Problem solving skills related to intrusion detection

Analysis and systems evaluation

Research skills for identifying and analysing network security methodologies and technologies

Report writing skills for evaluating system security status in line with organisational security polices

Questioning and active listening skills

Hardware and software installation skills related to improving network security

Required knowledge

Current industry-accepted hardware and software security products, with broad knowledge of general features and capabilities

Broad knowledge of the client business domain, business function and organisation

Broad knowledge of features and capabilities of networking technologies, with substantial depth in security areas

Broad knowledge of risk analysis

Broad knowledge of privacy issues and privacy legislation

General knowledge of security information sources

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 following is essential:

Assessment must confirm an understanding of the organisation's network security and access policies.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of the security features available in the operating environment and the ability to monitor and administer security functions on the network. This may include use of third-party diagnostic tools.

To demonstrate competency in this unit the following resources will be needed:

A live network with security restrictions

Security and access policies

Security information resources

Hardware and software that will improve security

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Security planning and monitoring aids in preventing intrusion into a network. With computers containing and manipulating significant data about our finances, purchasing habits and other private information, monitoring and administering network security is an ongoing challenge for organisations which collect and use such information.

This unit provides a starting point for monitoring and administering network security. Activities undertaken in this unit should be done in a closed-off LAN/WAN/WLAN and the skills developed not used on live open networks.

The breadth, depth and complexity of knowledge and skills in this competency would cover a broad range of varied activities or application in a wider variety of contexts most of which are complex and non-routine. Leadership and guidance would be involved when organising activities of self and others as well as contributing to technical solutions of a non-routine or contingency nature.

Assessment must ensure:

Performance of a broad range of skilled applications including the requirement to evaluate and analyse current practices, develop new criteria and procedures for performing current practices and provision of some leadership and guidance to others in the application and planning of the skills would be characteristic.

Applications may involve responsibility for, and limited organisation of, others.

Method of assessment

The purpose of this unit is to define the standard of performance to be achieved in the workplace. In undertaking training and assessment activities related to this unit, consideration should be given to the implementation of appropriate diversity and accessibility practices in order to accommodate people who may have special needs. Additional guidance on these and related matters is provided in ICA05 Section 1.

Competency in this unit should to be assessed using summative assessment to ensure consistency of performance in a range of contexts. This unit can be assessed either in the workplace or in a simulated environment. However, simulated activities must closely reflect the workplace to enable full demonstration of competency.

Due to the inherent risks involved in activities such as dealing with the security of potentially sensitive information, it is strongly recommend that work and assessment be carried out on a system separate from the organisation's main field of network activity or in a simulated environment. Where a workplace context is used, specific control for security must be adhered to in all circumstances.

Assessment will usually include observation of real or simulated work processes and procedures and/or performance in a project context as well as questioning on underpinning knowledge and skills. The questioning of team members, supervisors, subordinates, peers and clients where appropriate may provide valuable input to the assessment process.

Guidance information for assessment

The interdependence of units for assessment purposes may vary with the particular project or scenario. Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

ICAD4043B Develop and present a feasibility report

ICAS4119B Monitor and administer systems security

ICAS5202B Ensure privacy for users

An individual demonstrating this competency would be able to:

Use detection tools to detect intrusion

Monitor and administer activities of users

Apply emergency solutions to a variety security problems

Interpret available information and request clarification where needed

Additionally, an individual demonstrating this competency would be able to:

Demonstrate understanding of a broad knowledge base incorporating some theoretical concepts

Apply solutions to a defined range of unpredictable problems

Identify and apply skill and knowledge areas to a wide variety of contexts, with depth in some areas

Identify, analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources

Take responsibility for own outputs in relation to specified quality standards

Take limited responsibility for the quantity and quality of the output of others

Maintain knowledge of industry products and services

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.

Network may include:

large and small LANs

WLANs

VPNs

Intranets

the internet

Security policy may be in relation to:

theft

viruses

standards (including archival, back-up, network)

privacy

audits and alerts

usually relates directly to the security objectives of the organisation and file access levels

Appropriate person may include:

supervisor

teacher

authorised business representative

client

Hardware may include but is not limited to:

mobile equipment

workstations

personal computers

modems or other connectivity devices

networks

DSL modems

remote sites

servers

Software may include but is not limited to:

commercial, in-house, packaged or customised software

Operatingsystem may include but is not limited to:

Linux 6.0 or above

Windows 98 or above

Apple OS 8 or above

Documentation may follow:

ISO/IEC/AS standards

audit trails

naming standards

version control

project management templates

report writing principles

Server may include:

Application/web servers

BEA Weblogic servers

IBM VisualAge and WebSphere

Novell NDS servers

Email servers

Voice servers

File and print servers

FTP servers

Firewall servers

Proxy/cache servers

Requirements may be in reference to:

business

system

network

people in the organisation

Security threats may include:

eavesdropping

manipulation

impersonation

penetration

denial of service

by-pass

hacking

viruses

spoofing

associations

Encryption may include features or protocols such as:

RSA public key

PGP (pretty good privacy)

connection orientation

WEP

WPA

AAA

symmetric ciphers

asymmetric public-key ciphers

sniffers

PKI

SSH

Deslogin

PKZIP

secure socket layer (SSL)

digital signatures

Unit sector

Support

This unit contains employability skills.