This is the Safari online edition of the printed book.

The only authorized study guide for the new CCNA Security IINS Exam: official foundation learning for every candidate.

• Comprehensive content developed in conjunction with the Cisco certification team, developers of the official CCNA Security IINS courses and exams

• Easy to understand, and packed with visuals and configuration examples: will be useful both to exam candidates and to IT managers with day-to-day security responsibilities

• Includes an extensive set of self-assessment review questions

Implementing Cisco IOS Network Security (IINS) exam is the first step towards the CCNA Security and Cisco Qualified Specialist certifications that can help network professionals move into the lucrative field of network security. Implementing Cisco IOS Network Security (IINS) (Exam 640-553) is the only authorized study guide for Cisco's IINA exam. Developed in conjunction with Cisco's own IINS exam developers, this book covers every exam objective, offering clear diagrams and realistic configuration examples. Written for both exam candidates and professionals with day-to-day security responsibilities, it shows how to recognize threats and vulnerabilities, implement security policies and basic mitigation measures, and perform basic tasks for securing branch office networks. Readers will learn how to: -Configure routers on the network perimeter with Cisco IOS Software security features -Configure firewall features including ACLs and Cisco IOS zone-based policy firewalls to perform basic network security operations -Configure site-to-site VPNs using Cisco IOS -Configure IPS on Cisco network routers -Configure LAN devices to control access, resist attacks, shield other network devices and systems, and protect network traffic

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 5 Ratings

Spans multiple exams! - 2009-08-28
Reviewer Rating:
While preparing for the ISCW exam, I also read this - and it was great! It helped me pass both my ISCW and CCNA Security exams. Apparently, there's a lot of overlapping topics in both exams. Read the ISCW book and read BCMSN's topics on switch security then go for the CCNA Security - just awesome!

Comprehensive Study guide that goes beyond the exam topics! - 2009-08-23
Reviewer Rating:
When you're taking a Cisco exam, the basic requirements are: a)knowing the subject matter, b)knowing the test/exam taking strategies, c)and one of the most important, the hands on!

This book goes over all three topics. Subject matter is covered in detail, apparently beyond what is included in the exam itself. So, although the book is written for preparing for the CCNA Security exam, it will help you build your basic security toolkit for designing, configuring, maintaining, and auditing networks. I particularly liked the Review Questions at the end of each chapter, they may look simplistic but will surely be effective in order to pass the real exam!

"Key Topics" designation also come very handy to highlight an important concept for exam preparation. This should help you build your strategy on what to expect on the exam, both difficulty level and the subject matter.

Book contains a ton of full length configuration examples which can easily be used for the hands-on needed.

Overall, a very good effort once again by Catherine!

Good Reference for Self-Study - 2009-08-12
Reviewer Rating:
This book is a very good reference for those with the goal to sit for the CCNA Security Exam. The chapters are long, and could possibly have been broken down into more readable sections with better results. On the positive side, by reading this book, the reader will have a good foundation to build upon while preparing for this exam.

There are very detailed configuration examples included in the book, and the end-of-chapter review questions are most helpful in reinforcing the concepts introduced in the chapters. I would definitely recommend that the reader obtain some hands-on experience with the routers and switches before attempting to take the exam.

Perfect Study Guide - 2009-07-06
Reviewer Rating:
Perfect for the CCNA Security Exam. Don't forget to put in some hands-on lab time also for those tricky simulation questions. Overall great prep highly recommended!

broad scope of explaining routers and switches - 2009-04-28
Reviewer Rating:
The book is an authoritative way to learn how to configure and control various Cisco routers and switches. Perhaps most importantly from the standpoint of security, you see how routers can be used to maintain a firewall. For most companies that are connected to the Internet, a firewall is often a necessity.

Some background in understanding the basics of TCP/IP is needed. But the book explains the relevant details. If you are wondering how to configure your internal network behind a firewall, the text has common setup examples that you can copy.

There are also candid discussions about the advantages and disadvantages of various filtering methods. For example, firewalls that do packet filtering are often used. This involves maintaining a policy table with conditions for allowing or denying traffic based on parameters like source IP address, destination IP address and the port numbers. The Cisco routers that do this are very fast, because inspecting the packet headers is simple to do in silicon. But the book also explains the limitations. Notably, the analysis is stateless, so a connection that uses a multipacket handshake cannot be checked, assuming it passes the above tests. Still, packet filtering is so simple and fast that you should probably do it.

The book also delves into how to make a VPN across the Internet. A powerful and popular way to have more secure communications.

The questions at the end of each chapter are fairly straightforward. Nothing that is too complicated.

Strictly, the book is meant for those studying for a Cisco network certificate. But potentially, the scope is broader. It's a good overall explanation of routing and switching, and especially about setting up firewalls and VPNs. Not necessarily restricted to Cisco hardware. But even for the latter, the book might read better than a typical manual for a specific device.

Browse Similar Topics

Top Level Categories:
Certification
Networking

Sub-Categories:
Certification > Cisco
Networking > Cisco