Unit of competency details

Release 

Comments 

Release 1

This Unit first released with ICA11 Information and Communications Technology Training Package version 1.0

Element 

Performance Criteria 

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1. Evaluate the ways IPS sensors are used to mitigate network attacks

1.1 Evaluate system requirements  of the network  according to industry standards  for inline operations

1.2 Compare inline to promiscuous mode sensor operations and evaluate how IPS protects network devices from attacks

1.3 Evaluate the evasive techniques used by hackers and determine ways IPS can defeat those techniques in the network

1.4 Evaluate the considerations necessary for selection, placement, and deployment of a network IPS including using features of IPS signature

2. Select and install IPS sensors and configure essential system parameters

2.1 Install and initialise the sensor for configuration of sensor interfaces , interface pairs, virtual local area network (VLAN) pairs, and VLAN groups

2.2 Configure management access to the sensor appliance and create user accounts to comply with different user  roles

2.3 Set up sensor communications with external management and monitoring systems

2.4 Manage and monitor sensor operation using built-in tools

2.5 Upgrade and maintain IPS sensor parameters and licensing requirements  to maintain network integrity

2.6 Plan the mitigation of specific network vulnerabilities and exploits

3. Tune IPS sensor advanced system parameters to optimise attack mitigation performance

3.1 Tune sensor signatures to provide optimal protection of the network

3.2 Create custom signatures and a meta signature to meet mitigation performance configurations  for given test scenarios  while disabling alert production for the component signatures

3.3 Configure gateway for passive operating system (OS) fingerprinting

3.4 Configure the external product interface to receive and process information from external security and management products to automatically enhance the sensor configuration information

3.5 Configure a virtual sensor and anomaly detection

3.6 Monitor the IPS advanced features for optimal performance

4. Manage security and response of the IPS to network attacks

4.1 Monitor IPS events using network tools  to determine appropriate response to network attacks

4.2 Use network management tools  to assess and manage IPS effectiveness against security intrusion

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.

System requirements  may refer to:

• application
• 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.