Computer Networks and Network Security

What You’ll Learn

Core skills in computer networking and network security to help protect networks and endpoint devices from unwanted intrusions.

How to apply organisational policies, including firewall settings and inbound/outbound rules, to safeguard endpoints.

How to install, configure, and apply patches; use cloud-based security tools to identify, quarantine, and remove malware; and employ intrusion detection and prevention systems.

The ability to assess and recommend security measures for network hardware, monitor network traffic, and manage overall network security.

What Skills Do You Gain

  • - Networking and network security fundamentals
  • - Network device configuration and security (firewalls, routing, switching)
  • - Endpoint protection and malware detection/removal
  • - Security monitoring and network management

Course Structure

The course is divided into 5 modules, each offering video lessons, readings, assignments or practical labs:

Networking Fundamentals:
Covers networking hardware (routers, switches), wireless standards, basic network design, and practical networking tasks like port and protocol identification.

IP Addressing, Routing & Switching:
Teaches IP addressing, IPv4/IPv6, routing principles, ARP, network addressing, and how to secure small office/home office (SOHO) network setups.

Network Protocols:
Focuses on transport and application protocols (TCP/UDP, DNS, DHCP), network traffic handling, system logging & network analysis techniques like port-mirroring and log-based detection.

Network Security Techniques:
Covers firewall technologies, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), NAT, data-loss prevention (DLP), endpoint detection and response (EDR), access control, and monitoring. Includes hands-on labs.

Final Project & Wrap-Up:
A practical project where learners design a secure network (subnets, firewall configuration, traffic analysis) to put all learned skills into a real-world context.

Why This Course Matters

Network and data security are essential in a world where cyber threats evolve every day. This course gives you a strong foundation — from understanding basic networking and routing to configuring firewalls and securing databases — so you can confidently design, manage, or safeguard IT infrastructure.

If you’re looking to build skills in areas like network administration, cybersecurity support, or database protection, this course is a solid starting point.