Network Security & Ethical Hacking Fundamentals
Learn how attackers think so you can defend better. Practise reconnaissance, vulnerability assessment and hardening in safe, legal labs.
About this course
Defenders who understand offensive techniques build stronger systems. This course introduces the methodology professional penetration testers use — always within legal, authorised boundaries — and shows how each technique informs better defence.
In isolated practice labs you will map networks, identify vulnerable services, analyse web application weaknesses and then fix what you find. Each lab ends with a short report, the key deliverable in real security assessments.
What you'll learn
- Explain the legal and ethical rules of security testing
- Map networks and services in a lab environment
- Assess systems for common vulnerabilities
- Understand the OWASP Top 10 web application risks
- Harden systems based on assessment findings
- Write clear, actionable security reports
Syllabus
6 modules · 6 weeks · approx. 36 hours total
Module 1Ethics and methodology
- Authorisation, scope and the law
- Penetration testing phases
- Setting up a safe home lab
Module 2Networking for security
- TCP/IP deep dive
- Packet analysis
- Common network protocols and their weaknesses
Module 3Reconnaissance and scanning
- Passive vs. active reconnaissance
- Service and version discovery
- Vulnerability scanning
Module 4Web application security
- The OWASP Top 10
- Authentication and session flaws
- Input validation and injection
Module 5Hardening and defence
- System hardening checklists
- Network segmentation
- Detection rules and logging
Module 6Reporting
- Risk rating
- Writing findings and remediation advice
- Capstone lab assessment
Requirements & who it's for
Prerequisites
- Cybersecurity Essentials or equivalent knowledge
- Basic Linux command-line skills
Who this is for
- Aspiring penetration testers and security analysts
- System and network administrators
- Developers who want to write more secure code
Frequently asked questions
Is ethical hacking legal?
Security testing is only legal with explicit written permission from the system owner. All course labs are isolated environments built for practice.
What tools are covered?
The course uses widely adopted, free and open-source security tools inside a pre-configured lab environment.
Read before you start
How to Start a Cybersecurity Career With No Experience
Entry-level roles, the skills that matter, beginner certifications and a realistic six-month plan to break into cybersecurity from scratch.
12 Cybersecurity Tips to Protect Yourself Online
Simple, practical habits that protect your accounts, devices and money from the most common online threats.
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