Network Security Basics
Sharpen your practical network defense skills quickly
Network Security Basics is a practical, beginner-focused course taught by Ross Bagurdes that surveys common network attack vectors and the defensive tools and policies used to mitigate them. The program emphasizes operational controls—authentication and access control, wireless encryption, device hardening, and monitoring—to make concepts directly applicable to real networks.
Lessons combine concise conceptual overviews with demos and configuration walkthroughs to translate theory into repeatable steps. Learners should expect measurable competencies in implementing multifactor authentication, securing Wi‑Fi, and hardening devices to reduce exposure to data breaches and common attacks.
At a Glance
Network Security Basics is an introductory course that surveys common network attacks and practical defensive techniques taught by Ross Bagurdes, an experienced network engineer and instructor. The curriculum covers physical security, authentication and access controls, wireless encryption, common attack vectors, device hardening, and prevention strategies.
| Level | Beginner |
| Rating | 4.6 out of 5 |
| Duration | 2+ hours |
| Languages | English |
| Certificate | Certificate of completion |
| Access | Access while your subscription is active |
| Course includes |
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| Price | Subscription-based; included with Pluralsight individual and business plans (free trial available) |
What This Course Teaches
This course frames outcomes as actionable, assessable competencies for early-career network practitioners and IT staff. By the end, learners will be able to implement physical protections, secure authentication and encryption, harden devices, and analyze and mitigate common network attacks.
How the Course Is Structured
The course is organized as a concise, linear sequence of focused modules that progress from an introductory overview to practical prevention strategies, with short demos and summaries in each unit. It comprises 7 modules and 43 individual lessons and runs about 2 hours 16 minutes in total.
Curriculum overview
01 Course Overview ▾
Brief introduction to the course goals and structure.
02 Physical Security Devices ▾
Covers physical protections for data centers including video surveillance, asset tracking, and facility access controls.
03 Authentication and Access Controls ▾
Explains AAA, authentication methods, multifactor authentication, access control models, logging, and includes a demo examining port security.
04 Wireless Network Security ▾
Reviews wireless encryption standards, authentication/authorization for Wi‑Fi, geofencing, and a demo of wireless access point security options.
05 Network Attack Vectors ▾
Surveys common vulnerabilities and exploits, human-targeted attacks, social engineering, DoS and Wi‑Fi attacks, rogue APs, MITM, and password attacks.
06 Network Device Hardening ▾
Demonstrates configuration changes, crypto-key generation, software update practices, file-hash verification, and disabling unused services to harden devices.
07 Network Attack Prevention ▾
Covers internet-edge controls, device hardening at scale, user/data protections, auditing, and practical prevention strategies.
Audience & Requirements
The course targets technical practitioners who need a practical introduction to defending networks rather than a deep academic treatment. It is designed for early-career network engineers, system administrators, and IT staff who will implement or support basic network security controls.
- Early-career network engineers and network administrators.
- System administrators and IT support professionals upskilling in security.
- IT managers or generalists who need to understand common attack vectors and defenses.
- Small-business IT owners responsible for basic network protection.
- No special prerequisites; course is presented at a beginner level.
- Familiarity with basic networking terms (IP addresses, ports) is helpful but not required.
- Optional: access to lab equipment or a test network if you want to recreate demo steps hands‑on.
Final Verdict
This concise, practical course is a solid introduction for practitioners who need operational network security skills. Given its strong platform rating, subscription-based access model, and a certificate on completion, it represents good value for learners who already use the platform or who want a compact professional refresher.
It is recommended for early-career network engineers, system administrators, and IT generalists seeking actionable defenses and clear, demo-driven instruction. Not ideal for specialists seeking deep protocol-level cryptography or an advanced offensive-security track—those learners should pursue longer, hands-on programs instead.
