This question originally appeared on Quora: What's a good online source for learning network security?
Answer by Sai Ramanan, Security Engineer, Security Ninja & Trusted Security Adviser, onQuora
There are lot of free and paid resources available online for learning network security and here is my full compilation of resources for learning and mastering network security.
1. Youtube:
There are many good sources of practical hands-on information on network security concepts, products and best practices on youtube channels and here are my top favourite channels that I follow related to network security.
Google Cyber Security:
Intel Security-Mcafee
2. Network Security blogs:
You can check out the below various interesting industry trends, latest security breaches, zero-day threats, product overviews, procedures, etc focused on network security.
I have broken this down into great industry influencer’s blogs, product company’s blogs, or individual’s security blogs.
Industry Influencer’s security blogs (that covers a lot about other aspects of security too):
1. Krebs on Security - Krebs on Security
2. Bruce Scheneir’s blog- Schneier on Security (although he’s not been active lately)
3. Richard Bejtlich blog- Chief Security Strategist, FireEye- TaoSecurity
4. Dave Shackleford- Founder of Voodoo Security blog- ShackF00
Product company blogs on Network Security topics:
5. Redseal Security blog- I have used this network security product for few years and this is a great place to dig useful network security best practices and ideas- The RedSeal Conversation
6. Tenable Network Security blog- Tenable Blog
7. Whitehat Security blog- WhiteHat Security Blog
8. Solutionary Minds blog- Solutionary Minds Blog
9. Sophos Network Security blog- Naked Security
10. Cisco Security blog- Cisco Security Blog
Other Security blogs:
11. Network Security blog- Network Security Blog
12. SANS security blogs-
SANS - Information Security Resources
13. CSO Online blogs- Blogs
14. Security bloggers network Security Bloggers Network
15. Threatpost blog- Threatpost - English - Global - threatpost.com
16. Infosec Island blog- Infosec Island - Latest User-contributed Articles
17. Uncommon sense of security - Uncommon Sense Security
In my experience, these blogs won’t be much use to beginners if you are jumping onto the network security track right after college. Ensure that you take adequate training backed by online labs and real-life experience to fully understand and appreciate all the network security research work.
3. Paid Training:
There are also very good resources that you have to register and purchase.
1. Lot of Network Security related self study courses-
For Network Security, I highly recommend SEC502- Perimeter protection in-depth SANS Institute. All the SANS courses are quite expensive but if you have the means to take it, you will gain a strong foothold of understanding the layered defenses, network security concepts from both attacker and defender perspective.
2. Stanford CS-152- Computer and Network Security –
(I know few of my friends had so much praise after taking this course and found this really valuable) Stanford Center for Professional Development
3. Coursera network security courses taught by Stanford professors- Coursera
4. If you are looking to pursue network security degree online, the Masters in Information Assurance program from “Norwich University” and “George Washington University” are getting popular who wants to study full fledged masters program. However, these covers very extensive security disciplines outside of network security as well.
Please remember, these videos and blogs are helpful know-hows, tips for learning network security. However, practical experience cannot substitute theoretical learning and certifications.
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