Certified Network Defender (CND)

Overview#

Curriculum#

1. Before class

   • Pre-course materials access
   • Foundation concepts review
   • Baseline self-assessment

2. Network Security Fundamentals and Defense Strategies

   • Network Defense Fundamentals – Security concepts, defense-in-depth
   • Network Security Threats – Attack types, threat actors, vectors
   • Network Security Controls – Technical, administrative, physical controls
   • Lab – Network security assessment

3. Endpoint Security Across Platforms

   • Access Control & Authentication – IAM, MFA, SSO, RADIUS/TACACS+
   • Firewall Configuration – Packet filtering, stateful, next-gen firewalls
   • IDS/IPS – Detection methods, signature vs anomaly-based
   • Lab – Firewall and IDS configuration

4. Enterprise Network Security & Data Protection

   • VPN Technologies – IPsec, SSL/TLS, site-to-site, remote access
   • Wireless Security – WPA3, 802.1X, rogue AP detection
   • Network Segmentation – VLANs, DMZ, microsegmentation, zero trust
   • Lab – VPN and segmentation implementation

5. Network Monitoring, Threat Intelligence & Incident Response

   • Network Monitoring – SIEM, log management, traffic analysis
   • Endpoint Security – EDR, host-based firewalls, DLP
   • Vulnerability Management – Scanning, assessment, remediation
   • Lab – Vulnerability scanning and analysis

6. Risk Management, Threat Prediction, and Business Continuity

   • Incident Response – Detection, containment, eradication, recovery
   • Disaster Recovery – BCP, DRP, backup strategies, RTOs/RPOs
   • CND Exam Preparation – Domain review, practice questions
   • Final Review – Q&A, certification guidance

Who Should Attend & Prerequisites#