Network Services and Security

This unit develops foundational skills for administering network services, securing endpoints and servers, and planning continuity and backup strategies. Students will configure client and server resources, implement basic security and remote-access solutions, and evaluate infrastructure and cloud options to support reliable operations.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze network risks and potential disaster impacts and design a business continuity and backup plan that specifies backup locations, frequencies, and failover or secondary connectivity options.
• Apply core server and client administration tasks in a lab environment, including creating and managing user accounts, configuring shared folders and file server roles, adding server roles and virtual disks, and adjusting device network settings (Windows and macOS).
• Demonstrate implementation of network security and remote-access measures by configuring VPN connections, deploying antivirus and antispam controls, integrating identity/authentication services, and establishing secure remote desktop and mobile device management practices.
• Evaluate network infrastructure components and cloud deployment models by comparing IP addressing schemes, switching and wireless standards, cabling and backup Internet options, and cloud versus hybrid trade-offs to recommend appropriate solutions for given scenarios.