Inside Network Perimeter Security: The Definitive Guide to Firewalls, VPNs, Routers, and Intrusion Detection Systems

The most practical, comprehensive solution to defending your network perimeter. Get expert insight from the industry's leading voices: Stephen Northcutt and the expertise of the SANS team. Inside Network Perimeter Security is a practical guide to designing, deploying, and maintaining network defenses. It discusses perimeter components such as firewalls, VPNs, routers, and intrusion detection systems, and explains how to integrate them into a unified whole to meet real-world business requirements. The book consolidates the experience of seventeen information security professionals working together as a team of writers and reviewers. This is an excellent reference for those interested in examining best practices of perimeter defense and in expanding their knowledge of network security. Because the book was developed in close coordination with the SANS Institute, it is also a valuable supplementary resource for those pursuing the GIAC Certified Firewall Analyst (GCFW) certification.

Stephen Northcutt created the Shadow Intrusion Detection System, the DoD Shadow team, the GIAC Security Certification Series, and the SANS Immersion Security Training education system currently consisting of 11 tracks ranging from Security Essentials to Forensics. He authored, or teamed to write Incident Handling Step-by-Step, Network Intrusion Detection: An Analyst's Handbook, and Intrusion Signatures and Analysis. Before joining SANS, Stephen served as Chief for Information Warfare at the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization. Currently, he is an instructor for the SANS Institute.

Lenny Zeltser's work in information security draws upon experience in system administration, software architecture, and independent research. Lenny worked as a consultant to a major financial institution, co-founded a software company, and is presently a Director of Information Security at Kiodex, Inc. He has also written and presented coursework for SANS, reverse-engineered malicious software, and is an active member of several security GIAC certification advisory boards. Lenny holds a number of professional certifications such as MCSE, CCSE, GSEC, GCFW, GCIA, GCUX, and GCIH, and has earned a bachelor's degree in computer science engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.

Scott Winters has been working in all aspects of networking and computer security for 12 years. He has been an instructor, author, network engineer, consultant, and systems administrator and has worked with various perimeter security solutions, firewalls, and infrastructure designs. He has SANS GIAC GSEC, GCFW, and GCFW certifications, as well as MCSE, CNE, and Cisco CCNA and other technology certifications. Scott's other accomplishments include the authoring and editing of a SANS GIAC training and certification course and exam content. He has also been involved in the SANS GIAC mentoring program, and has served on the SANS GCFW Advisory Board.

Karen Kent Frederick is a senior security engineer for the Rapid Response Team at NFR Security. She holds a bachelor's degree in computer science from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and a master's in computer science from the University of Idaho. Karen has more than 10 years of experience in various areas of IT, particularly system administration and information security. She holds four SANS GIAC certifications and also has the CCSA and MCSE + Internet certifications. Karen is one of the authors of Intrusion Signatures and Analysis (New Riders) and is a contributing author to the Handbook of Computer Crime Investigation (Academic Press). She also frequently writes on intrusion detection-related topics for SecurityFocus.com.

Ronald W. Ritchey is an authority in the areas of secure network design and network intrusion and regularly leads penetration testing efforts for Booz Allen Hamilton, where he has had the opportunity to learn first-hand the real-world impact of network vulnerabilities. He is also an active researcher in the field with peer-reviewed publications in the area of automated network security analysis. Ron holds a master's degree in computer science from George Mason University and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in information technology at their School of Information Technology and Engineering. His doctoral research is attempting to automate network security analysis.