Assessor Resource

ICANWK406A
Install, configure and test network security

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit applies to information technology (IT) professionals who install, configure and test secure networks of any size.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to install, configure and test network security in an information and communications technology (ICT) network.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

assess and identify security threats, vulnerabilities and risks

determine appropriate countermeasure for threat, vulnerability or risk

implement countermeasure per threat or risk

install, configure and test network elements to ensure perimeter security

test and verify function and performance of selected security measures

monitor network for suspicious activity taking appropriate action where necessary

document newly discovered threats, vulnerabilities and risks, including change recommendations for approval.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

site where secure network installation may be conducted

network security documentation

equipment specifications

network components

hardware and software

firewalls (hardware and software)

live network

organisational guidelines

networked (LAN) computers

WAN service point of presence

appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

documentation of current system security analysis that outlines required enterprise security requirements

identification of additional security threats and vulnerabilities

verbal or written questioning to assess candidate’s knowledge of network security

direct observation of candidate performing tasks required to successfully install, configure and test a secure network

direct observation of candidate performing tasks required to successfully test function and performance of secure network

direct observation of candidate performing tasks required to successfully monitor and document newly discovered security threats, vulnerabilities and risks.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, where appropriate.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and suitable to the communication skill level, language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Indigenous people and other people from a non-English speaking background may need additional support.

In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

analytical skills to:

analyse systems evaluation

review system security logs for breaches

communication skills to liaise with clients

literacy skills to write reports for evaluating system security status according to organisational security policies

numeracy skills to undertake a cost-benefit comparison

problem-solving skills to:

determine intrusion detection

troubleshoot and debug

research skills to identify and analyse network security methodologies and technologies

technical skills to:

develop enterprise policies strategies and procedures

implement local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), virtual private network (VPN) and wireless local area network (WLAN) solutions

implement security strategies and configure network security software and hardware

install hardware and software related to improving network security

undertake a network security risk assessment.

Required knowledge

authentication issues

overview knowledge of:

client business domain, including client organisation structure and business functionality

features and capabilities of networking technologies

privacy issues and privacy legislation

security information sources

risk analysis

common VPN issues, including bandwidth and dynamic security environment

configuring routers and switches

current industry-accepted hardware and software security products, with broad knowledge of general features and capabilities

function and operation of VPN concepts, including encryption, firewalls, packet tunnelling and authentication

network protocols and operating systems

organisational issues surrounding security

security perimeters and their functions

security protocols, standards and data encryption

security threats, including eavesdropping, data interception, data corruption, data falsification

types of VPNs, including site-to-site, user-to-site internet traffic and extranets

systems and procedures related to:

audit and intrusion detection systems

auditing and penetration testing techniques

cryptography

LAN, WLAN and WAN

screened subnets

transmission control protocols or internet protocols (TCPs/IPs) and applications

use of virus detection software.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

System may include:

applications

databases

gateways

operating systems

servers

WAN communication links

workstations.

Asset may include:

data and information

intellectual property

physical assets.

Network may include:

intranets

large and small LANs

internet

VPNs

WANs

WLANs.

Software may include:

applications:

commercial

customised

in-house

packaged

encryption modules

operating systems

security:

antivirus

firewall

spyware

utilities:

audit

network monitoring.

Hardware may include:

analog modems

digital subscriber line (DSL) modems

firewall devices

network cabling

wired and wireless networks

notebooks

personal computers

routers

servers

switches

workstations.

Security threats may include:

by-pass

denial of service

eavesdropping

elevation of privilege

hacking

impersonation

manipulation

penetration

repudiation

viruses or malicious code.

Vulnerabilities may relate to:

application bugs

communications devices

firmware flaws

firewall misconfigurations

operating system bugs

poor bandwidth control measures

transmitting data in plain text

unnecessary services and protocols

weak authentication techniques

weak permissions

weak physical security.

Commercial and business requirements may include:

availability

backup and recovery of data

confidentiality

firewalls

hacking prevention

integrity

password logons

remote access to internal network.

Perimeter security may include:

access control

auditing

authentication

authorisation

hardware or software firewalls

identification

network address translation (NAT)

surveillance.

Server may include:

web

email

file and print

firewall

file transfer protocol (FTP)

proxy, cache

voice over internet protocol (VoIP).

Hardening techniques may include:

demilitarised zones (DMZ)

encryption

intrusion detection system (IDS)

operating system patch application and management

rigid shared resource permissions

service pack application

strong firewall configurations, including unused port blocking

strong physical security

strong user authentication techniques

unused services and protocols disablement.

Data integrity may include:

encryption

hash encoding

protocol control

VPN.

Document may include:

audit trails

International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and Australian Standards (AS) standards

naming standards

project management templates

report writing principles

security analysis report

version control.

Appropriate person may include:

supervisor

authorised business representative

client.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Assess and report on current system security, according to required asset security level 
Determine additional network, software, hardware and system security threats and vulnerabilities 
Use identified threats and vulnerability information to identify security risks 
Make recommendations to management to address security deficiencies, according to current and future commercial and business requirements 
Implement required level of perimeter security based on current and future business needs 
Assess and implement best practice server and network hardening techniques and measures 
Implement secure authentication and user account controls 
Secure data integrity and transmission 
Design test items to verify key function and performance measures against criteria 
Conduct function and performance tests recording results 
Modify and debug security system as necessary 
Develop documentation on current system settings and file for future reference 
Monitor current network security, including physical aspects, using appropriate third-party testing software where applicable 
Review logs and audit reports to identify and record security incidents, intrusions or attempts 
Carry out spot checks and audits to ensure that procedures are not being bypassed 
Document newly discovered security threats, vulnerabilities and risks in a report for presentation to appropriate person to gain approval for changes to be made 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICANWK406A - Install, configure and test network security
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

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Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

ICANWK406A - Install, configure and test network security

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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