Montgomery College

Germantown Campus
Course Syllabus
Course Information
Course: Hardening the Infrastructure
Section: NW 245
Days and Times: Thursdays, 6:30 PM - 9:10 PM (2 hours, 40 minutes)
Dates: 09/02/10 – 12/16/10 (15 Sessions)
Location: HT303

Instructor:
Silvia M. Vargas
Sr. Engineer/Network Security Consultant
Cogent Systems/VATG, Inc.
Email: silvia.vargas@motgomerycollege.edu
Office Hours: By appointment before class time

Course Description:
This course examines the critical defensive technologies needed to secure network perimeters. Written to
map to the Security Certified Network Specialist certification (SCO-451), the text includes coverage of
network security threats and goals, advanced TCP/IP concepts, router security, intrusion detection, firewall
design and configuration, IPSec and virtual private network (VPN) design, and wireless network design and
security.

Specific topic coverage includes:
Implementing IPSec and Virtual Private

Network Defense Fundamentals Networks

Advanced TCP/IP
Designing Virtual Private Networks

Router Fundamentals
Intrusion Detection System Concepts

Fundamentals of Cisco Router Security
Configuring and Using Intrusion

Designing Firewalls Detection Systems

Configuring Firewalls
Wireless Network Fundamentals

Managing Firewalls to Improve Security
Securing Wireless Networks

Implementing IPSec and Virtual Private

Required Materials:
Textbook: Randy Weaver, Guide to Tactical Perimeter Defense. Course Technology Incorporated, 2008.
ISBN-10: 1428356304. ISBN-13: 9781428356306

Instructor’s Topic Presentations:

The instructor’s presentations will be posted at the NW245 homepage under “Files” by 1PM the afternoon
of each class meeting. Students are responsible for bringing copies of presentations with them to class.

NW245: Hardening The Infrastructure Syllabus - Fall 2010 (VARGAS)

 NW246: Thursdays, 6:30 PM - 9:10 PM

Course Requirements:
Attendance: I strongly recommend that you strive to attend all class meetings. The class format consists of
lectures with some hands-on computer work. Missing class means missing the opportunity to work on the
lab assignments. Students should be prepared to contribute to discussions on the session's topic and ask
relevant questions.

Absences: Students should make every effort to attend each class session. If a student must miss a class
session, he/she should notify the instructor prior to the absence. It is the student's responsibility to obtain
class notes and materials from classmates.

Wireless Research Paper and Presentation: Students will conduct some preliminary research, select one
of the topics provided by the instructor, register your selection with the instructor and then begin to research
the details of the topic selected. Paper should be between 5-6 pages long, double space. In addition, the
findings will be presented to the class as per the Course Schedule below. More details to follow on a
separate handout.

Quizzes: There will be 2 quizzes on book material. These will be closed book quizzes and may vary from
ten to fifteen multiple choice format questions as per the Course Schedule below.

Mid Term Exam: This exam will be a closed book exam and it will cover Chapters1 through 7. The format
will include multiple choice, short answer, fill in, etc.

Final Exam: This exam will be a closed book exam and it will cover Chapters 8 through 13. The format will
include multiple choice, short answer, fill in, etc.

Classroom Policies:
Assignments must be completed prior to each class. Students should be prepared to contribute to
discussions on the session's topic and ask relevant questions. In addition, students are expected to
complete all assignments on the required date given in the syllabus. Make-up or late assignments are
allowed only at the discretion of the instructor. One point will be deducted for each day that an assignment
is late.

Pagers and Cell Phones:

As a courtesy to the instructor and fellow students, all pagers and cell phones should either be turned off or
set to vibrate.

Academic Honesty
Students are expected to follow the guidelines listed in the Student Handbook under the heading,
“Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct.”

Cancellation of Classes
Announcement of cancellation of classes due to inclement weather can usually be found at
www.schoolsout.com.

NW245: Hardening The Infrastructure Syllabus - Fall 2010 (VARGAS)

 NW246: Thursdays, 6:30 PM - 9:10 PM

CADA Accommodations
Montgomery College is an ADA (American Disabilities Act) compliant institution and more than six percent
of the enrolled students have a registered disability. This not only includes physical disabilities but also
learning disabilities as well. I want to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to learn when
accommodations are provided. Any students, who may need an accommodation due to a disability, please
make an appointment to see me. A letter from Disability Support Services offices at the college authorizing
your accommodations will be needed.

Evaluation:
Research Paper / Presentation........................................................................................ 30 Points
Quizzes.............................................................................................................................. 20 Points
Midterm.............................................................................................................................. 25 Points
Final Exam ........................................................................................................................ 25 Points
Total Available Points 100 Points

Grading Criteria:
Total Points Letter Grade
90 – 100 A
90 – 92 A-
80 – 89 B+
83 – 86 B
80 – 82 B-
70 – 79 C
< 69 F

NW245: Hardening The Infrastructure Syllabus - Fall 2010 (VARGAS)

 NW246: Thursdays, 6:30 PM - 9:10 PM

Course Schedule:
Date Reading Assignment Class Topics

09/02/10 Course Overview 1. Introductions

2. Syllabus Review
Weaver - Chapter 1 (Network Defense 3. Chapter Lecture
Fundamentals)
09/09/10 Weaver - Chapter 5 (Designing Firewalls) 1. Review Previous Class Topics
2. Chapter Lecture
3. Wireless Technology Research Guidelines
09/16/10 Weaver - Chapter 6 (Configuring Firewalls) 1. Review Previous Class Topics
2. Chapter Lecture
09/23/10 Weaver - Chapter 7 (Managing Firewalls to Improve 1. Review Previous Class Topics
Security 2. Quiz #1: Chapters 1, 5, 6
3. Chapter Lecture
09/30/10 Weaver - Chapter 3 (Router Fundamentals) 1. Online Lecture
Weaver - Chapter 4 (Fundamentals of Cisco Router 2. Online Discussion #1 (Due 10/07/10)*
Security)
10/07/10 Weaver - Chapter 2 (Advanced TCP/IP) 1. Review Previous Class Topics
2. Chapter Lecture (Guest Speaker)
10/14/10 None In-Class Midterm Exam (Chapters 1-7)
10/21/10 Weaver - Chapter 8 (Implementing IPSec and VPNs) 1. Online Lecture
2. Online Discussion #2 (Due 10/28/10)*
10/28/10 Weaver - Chapter 9 (Designing VPNs) 1. Review Previous Class Topics
2. Chapter Lecture
11/04/10 Weaver - Chapter 10 (IDS Concepts 1. Review Previous Class Topics
2. Quiz #2: Chapters 8, 9, 10
3. Chapter Lecture
11/11/10 Work on Wireless Technology Project Work-at-Home: Wireless Technology Project
11/18/10 Weaver - Chapter 11 (Configuring and Using IDSs) 1. Review Previous Class Topics
2. Chapter Lecture
11/25/10 None Thanksgiving Holiday. College Closed.
12/02/10 None 1. Wireless Technology Research Paper Due
2. Wireless Technology Presentations
12/09/10 Weaver - Chapter 12 (Wireless Network 1. Chapter Lecture
Fundamentals)
Weaver - Chapter 13 (Securing Wireless Networks)
12/16/10 None In-Class Final Exam (Chapters 8-13)

*
All assignments: Take-Home Tests, Take-Home Exams, and/or Online Discussions are due no later
than 6:00PM on the date specified in the Course Schedule

NW245: Hardening The Infrastructure Syllabus - Fall 2010 (VARGAS)