Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

ICANWK609A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Configure and manage intrusion prevention system on network sensors

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency ICANWK609A - Configure and manage intrusion prevention system on network sensors
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to use appropriate tools, equipment and software to implement an intrusion prevention system (IPS) on IPS sensors to mitigate network attacks.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to the use of IPS and signatures of IPS sensors, installation and configuration of advanced features, analysis of IPS sensor events as well as the upgrade and maintenance of IPS systems. Relevant job roles include certified IPS specialist, network security specialist and network security manager.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable.
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities
Slides
PPT
Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Evaluate the ways IPS sensors are used to mitigate network attacks
  • Evaluate system requirements of the network according to industry standards for inline operations
  • Compare inline to promiscuous mode sensor operations and evaluate how IPS protects network devices from attacks
  • Evaluate the evasive techniques used by hackers and determine ways IPS can defeat those techniques in the network
  • Evaluate the considerations necessary for selection, placement, and deployment of a network IPS including using features of IPS signature
       
Element: Select and install IPS sensors and configure essential system parameters
  • Install and initialise the sensor for configuration of sensor interfaces, interface pairs, virtual local area network (VLAN) pairs, and VLAN groups
  • Configure management access to the sensor appliance and create user accounts to comply with different user roles
  • Set up sensor communications with external management and monitoring systems
  • Manage and monitor sensor operation using built-in tools
  • Upgrade and maintain IPS sensor parameters and licensing requirements to maintain network integrity
  • Plan the mitigation of specific network vulnerabilities and exploits
       
Element: Tune IPS sensor advanced system parameters to optimise attack mitigation performance
  • Tune sensor signatures to provide optimal protection of the network
  • Create custom signatures and a meta signature to meet mitigation performance configurations for given test scenarios while disabling alert production for the component signatures
  • Configure gateway for passive operating system (OS) fingerprinting
  • Configure the external product interface to receive and process information from external security and management products to automatically enhance the sensor configuration information
  • Configure a virtual sensor and anomaly detection
  • Monitor the IPS advanced features for optimal performance
       
Element: Manage security and response of the IPS to network attacks
  • Monitor IPS events using network tools to determine appropriate response to network attacks
  • Use network management tools to assess and manage IPS effectiveness against security intrusion
       


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:

evaluate IPS requirements and configure IPS sensors

tune up IPS sensors to optimise attack mitigation

use network tools and network management tools to monitor and manage security sensor events

upgrade and maintain IPS sensors.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

site or prototype where network installation may be conducted

relevant hardware and software

organisational guidelines

live network

IPS system and its sensors

appropriate learning and assessment support when required

modified equipment 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:

direct observation of the candidate installing, configuring and testing a new or updated network

evaluation of documentation prepared by the candidate outlining testing procedures, test results, recommendation to network changes and completion records

verbal or written questioning of required knowledge.

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, assignment, 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

communication skills to liaise with internal and external personnel on technical, operational and business-related matters

literacy skills to:

interpret technical documentation

write reports as required

numeracy skills to:

interpret results and evaluate performance and interoperability of network

take test measurements

planning and organisational skills to:

coordinate the process in liaison with others

plan, prioritise and monitor own work

problem-solving and contingency-management skills to:

adapt configuration procedures to requirements of network

reconfigure depending on differing operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

debug networking entities configuration issues

troubleshoot

research skills to investigate appropriate hardware to meet requirements

technical skills to:

assess and implement security requirements

select and configure networking devices

use calling line identification (CLI) and the web interface in configuration of network entities

use networking and network management tools.

Required knowledge

configuration, verification and troubleshooting procedures to undertake a switch and router operation and routing protocol

deployment schemes

setting up and securing firewalls

internetwork operating system (IOS) and internet protocol (IP) networking models

IP addressing and detailed understanding of the transmission control protocol (TCP) or IP stack

IPS and intrusion detection system (IDS) strategies

IPS sensor technologies and licensing requirements

local area network or wide area network (LAN/WAN) implementations and design

network topologies, architectures and elements

networking standards and protocols

signatures and meta signatures

threat mitigation strategies

VLAN concepts and functionality

VPN technologies.

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 requirements may refer to:

business

network

people in the organisation

system.

Network may include:

data

firewall

IDS

internet

IPS

large and small LAN

protocol

WAN

wireless LAN (WLAN).

Industry standards may include:

Australian Standards (AS)

International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)

International Organization for Standardization (IOS)

security policy and procedures.

Configuration of sensor interfaces may include:

allowed hosts

assignment of virtual sensors

creation of pairs

enabling

software bypass.

User may include:

external

internal

remote access

temporary.

Sensor parameters and licensing requirements may include:

application of software images and upgrades

configuration of files:

file transfer protocol (FTP)

hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP)

hypertext transfer protocol secure (HTTPS)

service control point (SCP)

installation of sensor licence

installation of signature update of file names

performing sensor password recovery.

Mitigation-performance configurations may include:

event action filters

event variables

general settings for event action rules

response actions based on risk taking

target value ratings.

Test scenarios may include:

exploiting the network:

denial of service (DOS) and OS exploitation and countermeasures

eavesdropping and interception attacks and countermeasures

infrastructure flooding attacks and countermeasures

simple network reconnaissance:

dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) response sniffing and spoofing and countermeasures

hacking devices and hacking countermeasures

port scanning and port scanning countermeasures

sniffing and sniffing countermeasures.

Network tools may include:

command line interface (CLI)

IPS device manager

IPS event viewer.

Network management tools may include:

intrusion attacks

network security management

sniffer trace.

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
Evaluate system requirements of the network according to industry standards for inline operations 
Compare inline to promiscuous mode sensor operations and evaluate how IPS protects network devices from attacks 
Evaluate the evasive techniques used by hackers and determine ways IPS can defeat those techniques in the network 
Evaluate the considerations necessary for selection, placement, and deployment of a network IPS including using features of IPS signature 
Install and initialise the sensor for configuration of sensor interfaces, interface pairs, virtual local area network (VLAN) pairs, and VLAN groups 
Configure management access to the sensor appliance and create user accounts to comply with different user roles 
Set up sensor communications with external management and monitoring systems 
Manage and monitor sensor operation using built-in tools 
Upgrade and maintain IPS sensor parameters and licensing requirements to maintain network integrity 
Plan the mitigation of specific network vulnerabilities and exploits 
Tune sensor signatures to provide optimal protection of the network 
Create custom signatures and a meta signature to meet mitigation performance configurations for given test scenarios while disabling alert production for the component signatures 
Configure gateway for passive operating system (OS) fingerprinting 
Configure the external product interface to receive and process information from external security and management products to automatically enhance the sensor configuration information 
Configure a virtual sensor and anomaly detection 
Monitor the IPS advanced features for optimal performance 
Monitor IPS events using network tools to determine appropriate response to network attacks 
Use network management tools to assess and manage IPS effectiveness against security intrusion 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICANWK609A - Configure and manage intrusion prevention system on network sensors
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

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

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

ICANWK609A - Configure and manage intrusion prevention system on network sensors

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

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: