Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Operating Systems

A. Identify basic features of Microsoft Windows editions.

B. Use the appropriate Microsoft command-line tool given a scenario.

C. Use features and tools of the Microsoft Windows OS.

D. Perform tasks using the appropriate Microsoft Windows Control Panel utility.

E. Modify Windows settings.

F. Configure Microsoft Windows networking features on a client/desktop.

G. Apply application installation and configuration concepts.

H. Explain common OS types and their purposes.

I. Perform OS installations and upgrades in a diverse OS environment.

J. Identify common features and tools of the macOS/desktop OS.

K. Identify common features and tools of the Linux client/desktop OS.

II. Security

A. Summarize various security measures and their purposes.

B. Compare and contrast wireless security protocols and authentication methods.

C. Detect, remove and prevent malware using the appropriate tools and methods.

D. Explain common social-engineering attacks, threats and vulnerabilities.

E. Manage and configure basic security settings in the Microsoft Windows OS.

F. Configure a workstation to meet best practices for security.

G. Explain common methods for securing mobile and embedded devices.

H. Use common data destruction and disposal methods.

I. Configure appropriate security settings on small office/home office (SOHO) wireless and wired networks.

J. Install and configure browsers and relevant security settings.

III. Software Troubleshooting

A. Troubleshoot common Windows OS problems.

B. Troubleshoot common personal computer (PC) security issues.

C. Use best practice procedures for malware removal.

D. Understand common mobile OS and application issues.

E. Explain common mobile OS and application security issues.

IV. Operational Procedures

A. Implement best practices associated with documentation and support systems information management.

B. Explain basic change-management best practices.

C. Implement workstation backup and recovery methods.

D. Describe common safety procedures.

E. Summarize environmental impacts and local environmental controls.

F. Explain the importance of prohibited content/activity and privacy, licensing, and policy concepts.

G. Use proper communication techniques and professionalism.

H. Identify the basics of scripting.

I. Configure and implement remote access technologies.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Network Exploration

A. Explain how multiple networks are used in everyday life.

B. Describe the topologies and devices used in a small to medium-sized business network.

C. Explain the basic characteristics of a network that supports communication in a small to medium-sized business.

D. Explain trends in networking that will affect the use of networks in small to medium-sized businesses.

II. Basic Switch and End Device Configurations

A. Explain the features and functions of Cisco Internetwork Operating System (IOS) Software.

B. Configure initial settings on a switch using the Cisco IOS software.

C. Given an IP addressing scheme, configure IP address parameters on end devices to provide end-to-end connectivity in a small to medium-sized business network.

III. Network Protocols and Communications

A. Explain how rules are used to facilitate communication.

B. Explain the role of protocols and standards organizations in facilitating interoperability in network communications.

C. Explain how devices on a LAN access resources in a small to medium-sized business network.

IV. Ethernet

A. Explain the operation of Ethernet.

B. Build a simple network using the appropriate media.

C. Explain how the Data Link layer supports communications across data networks.

D. Compare media access control techniques and logical topologies used in networks

E. Explain how a switch operates.

F. Explain how the address resolution protocol enables communication on a network.

V. Network Layer and IP Addressing

A. Explain how network layer protocols and services support communications across data networks.

B. Explain how routers enable end-to-end connectivity in a small to medium-sized business network.

C. Explain how devices route traffic in a small to medium-sized business network.

D. Configure a router with basic configurations.

E. Explain the use of IPv4 addresses to provide connectivity in a small to medium-sized business network.

F. Configure IPv6 addresses to provide connectivity in small to medium-sized business networks.

G. Use common testing utilities to verify network connectivity.

VI. IP Networks Subnetting

A. Implement an IPv4 addressing scheme to enable end-to-end connectivity in a small to medium-sized business network.

B. Given a set of requirements, implement a Variable Length Subnet Mask (VLSM) addressing scheme to provide connectivity to end users in a small to medium-sized network.

C. Explain design considerations for implementing IPv6 in a business network.

VII. Transport Layer and Application Layer

A. Describe the purpose of the transport layer in managing the transportation of data in end-to-end communication.

B. Describe characteristics of the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP) including port numbers and their uses.

C. Explain the operation of the application layer in providing support to end-user applications.

D. Explain how well-known TCP/IP application layer protocols and services operate.

VIII. Small Network Configuration

A. Explain how a small network can scale into a larger network.

B. Configure switches and routers with device hardening features to enhance security.

C. Use common show commands and utilities to establish a relative performance baseline for the network.

D. Apply troubleshooting methodologies and command host and IOS commands to resolve problems.

E. Explain how a small network of directly connected segments is created, configured and verified.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Basic Device Configuration

A. Configure Initial settings on a Cisco switch.

B. Configure secure management access on a switch.

C. Configure basic settings on a router to route between two directly connected networks.

D. Explain how frames are forwarded in a switched network.

E. Compare a collision domain to broadcast domain.

II. VLANs

A. Explain the purpose of VLANs in a switched network.

B. Explain how a switch forwards frames based on VLAN configuration in a multi-switch environment.

C. Configure a trunk port on a LAN switch.

D. Configure Dynamic Trunking Protocol (DTP).

III. Inter-VLAN Routing

A. Describe options for configuring inter-VLAN routing.

B. Configure router-on-a-stick inter-VLAN routing.

C. Configure inter-VLAN routing using Layer 3 switching.

D. Troubleshoot common inter-VLAN configuration issues.

IV. STP

A. Explain common problems in a redundant, L2 switched network.

B. Explain how STP operates in a simple, switched network.

C. Explain how Rapid Per-VLAN Spanning Tree Plus (RPVST+) operates.

V. EtherChannel

A. Describe EtherChannel technology.

B. Configure EtherChannel.

C. Troubleshoot EtherChannel.

VI. DHCP

A. Configure a router as a DHCPv4 server.

B. Explain how an IPv6 host can acquire its IPv6 configuration.

C. Configure a stateful and stateless DHCPv6 server.

VII. FHRP Concepts

A. Explain the purpose and operation of first hop redundancy protocols.

B. Explain how Hot Standby Router Protocol HSRP operates

VIII. Switch Security

A. Implement port security to mitigate Media Access Control (MAC) address table attacks.

B. Explain how to configure DTP and native VLAN to mitigate VLAN attacks.

C. Explain how to configure DHCP snooping to mitigate DHCP attacks.

D. Explain how to configure Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) inspection to mitigate ARP attacks.

E. Explain how to configure Portfast and Bridge Protocol Data Unit (BPDU) Guard to mitigate STP attacks.

IX. WLAN Concepts

A. Describe WLAN technology and standards.

B. Describe the components of a WLAN infrastructure.

C. Explain how wireless technology enables WLAN operation.

D. Describe WLAN security mechanisms.

X. Static Routing

A. Describe the command syntax for static routes.

B. Configure IPv4 and IPv6 static and default routes.

C. Configure a floating static route to provide a backup connection.

D. Troubleshoot common static and default route configuration issues.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Virtualization Foundations

A. Explain the benefits of virtualization.

B. Describe types of virtualization.

C. Identify the concepts of server, network, storage and desktop virtualization.

D. Explain the importance of virtual machines (VMs) and containers in cloud computing and DevOps.

II. Architecture and Technologies 

A. Identify how physical resources are presented to multiple VMs.

B. Explain type 1 and type 2 hypervisors.

C. Describe business challenges addressed by vSphere.

D. Identify components of the vSphere environment.

E. Configure vSphere virtual networking.

F. Analyze vSphere storage technologies.

G. Create VMs with various operating systems.

H. Use snapshots, cloning and templates.

III. Installation, Configuration, and Setup

A. Identify Virtual Switch configuration options.

B. Configure datastores.

C. Manage clustering and high availability.

D. Implement vMotion technology.

IV. Administrative and Operational Tasks

A. Describe considerations when provisioning a VM.

B. Explain role-based user management.

C. Troubleshoot virtual networking.

D. Explain the importance of monitoring alarms, tasks and events.

E. Identify virtual storage issues.

F. Use performance charts to monitor the environment.

G. Explain VMware Tools.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Google Cloud Basics

A. Explain why cloud technology is revolutionizing business.

B. Compare and contrast cloud technology and traditional or on-premises technology.

C. Identify common Google Cloud solutions for data management.

D. Identify common Google Cloud solutions for smart analytics. 

E. Analyze Google Cloud’s solutions for machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI).

II. Infrastructure and Application Modernization

A. Explain why legacy infrastructure struggles to deliver modern services to customers.

B. Explain hybrid and multicloud infrastructures.

C. Differentiate between virtual machines, containers and serverless computing within business use cases.

D. Describe the business drivers for modernizing applications.

E. Explain the benefits of Google Kubernetes Engine, Anthos, and App Engine for application development.

F. Explain how application programming interfaces (APIs) can modernize legacy systems.

III. Cloud Security and Operations

A. Describe financial governance in the cloud and Google Cloud's recommended best practices for effective cloud cost management.

B. Define fundamental cloud security terms, including privacy, availability, security, and control.

C. Describe the security benefits of using Google Cloud.

D. Identify today's top cybersecurity challenges and threats to data privacy.

E. Demonstrate how organizations can control and manage access to cloud resources.

F. Differentiate service availability requirements in the cloud versus in on-premises environments.

G. Describe the operational challenges that DevOps solves.

H. Apply the goals of site reliability engineering (SRE) to different business use cases.

I. Identify Google Cloud solutions for cloud resource monitoring and application performance management.

IV. Cloud Solutions

A. Plan and estimate Google Cloud products use using the Pricing Calculator.

B. Plan and configure compute resources.

C. Configure data storage options.

D. Configure cloud monitoring and logging.

E. Implement data solutions.

F. Manage compute engine resources, including virtual machines, snapshots and images.

G. Manage network resources.

H. Configure management interfaces.

I. Manage current running cluster inventory.

J. Work with pods, services and stateful applications.

K. Configure access and security.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Cloud Concepts

A. Define different cloud computing models.

B. Describe the advantages of cloud computing.

C. Recognize the main AWS service categories and core services.

D. Describe AWS pricing and total cost of ownership (TCO).

E. Explain AWS Global Infrastructure.

II. Data Center Operations

A. Identify the basic design requirements for a data center.

B. Describe data center physical infrastructure.

C. Explain the importance of physical security and access control.

D. Discuss the fundamentals of electricity, including alternating current (AC), direct current (DC) and voltage types.

E. Explain the importance of batteries and generators in data centers.

F. Manage and operate datacenters using proper tools. 

G. Discuss data center maintenance, reliability, availability and efficiency.

H. Identify safety considerations in a data center.

I. Implement appropriate data center regulations.

III. Cloud Security

A. Explain the shared responsibility model.

B. Describe Identity and Access Management (IAM) users, groups, and roles.

C. Identify IAM security credentials.

D. Secure AWS accounts and data.

E. Explain AWS compliance programs.

IV. Networking 

A. Describe virtual networking in the cloud with Amazon Virtual Private Networking (VPC).

B. Design a basic VPC architecture.

C. Configure a customized network using a VPC.

D. Identify the fundamentals of Amazon Route 53.

E. Summarize the benefits of Amazon CloudFront.

V. Compute, Storage and Databases

A. Describe AWS compute services in the cloud.

B. Use AWS compute services to build a virtual computing environment. 

C. Identify how to run containerized applications in a cluster of managed servers.

D. Compare and contrast the different types of storage available in AWS.

E. Perform functions using AWS storage technologies to build a storage solution.

F. Describe AWS database services in the cloud.

G. Use AWS database services to launch, configure and interact with a database.

VI. Cloud Architecture

A. Describe the AWS Well-Architected Framework.

B. Discuss the importance of reliability and high availability. 

C. Explain the role of the AWS Trusted Advisor.

D. Perform automatic scaling and monitoring in an AWS environment.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Cloud Concepts

A. Describe the benefits of using cloud services.

B. Describe cloud service types.

C. Explain the differences between public, private and hybrid cloud models.

II. Azure Architecture and Services

A. List core architectural components.

B. Describe compute and networking services.

C. Explain storage services.

D. Configure identity, access and security.

III. Azure Management and Governance

A. Describe cost management.

B. Explain features and tools for governance and compliance.

C. Explain features and tools for managing and deploying Azure resources.

D. Use monitoring tools.

IV. Microsoft 365 Services

A. Identify core Microsoft 365 components.

B. Describe productivity solutions.

C. Explain collaboration solutions.

D. Describe endpoint modernization, management concepts and deployment options.

E. Discuss analytics capabilities.

V. Microsoft 365 Security, Compliance, Privacy and Trust

A. Describe security, compliance and identity concepts.

B. Explain zero-trust security principles.

C. Describe identity and access management solutions.

D. Discuss threat protection solutions.

E. Implement trust, privacy and compliance solutions.

VI. Cloud Pricing and Support

A. Plan, predict and compare pricing.

B. Identify licensing options.

C. Describe the Microsoft 365 service lifecycle.

D. Describe support offerings for Microsoft 365 services.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Threats, Attacks and Vulnerabilities

A. Analyze indicators of compromise and determine the type of malware.

B. Compare and contrast types of attacks.

C. Explain threat actor types and attributes.

D. Describe penetration testing concepts.

E. Identify vulnerability scanning concepts.

F. Explain the impact associated with types of vulnerabilities.

II. Technologies and Tools

A. Install and configure network components.

B. Assess the security posture of an organization.

C. Troubleshoot common security issues.

D. Interpret output from security technologies.

E. Deploy mobile devices securely.

F. Implement secure protocols.

III. Architecture and Design

A. Explain use cases, best practices, frameworks and secure configuration guides.

B. Implement secure network architecture concepts.

C. Implement secure systems design.

D. Explain the importance of secure staging deployment concepts.

E. Explain the security implications of embedded systems.

F. Summarize secure application development and deployment concepts.

G. Summarize cloud and virtualization concepts.

H. Explain how resiliency and automation strategies reduce risk.

I. Explain the importance of physical security controls.

IV. Identity and Access Management

A. Compare and contrast identity and access management concepts.

B. Install and configure identity and access services.

C. Implement identity and access management controls.

D. Differentiate common account management practices.

V. Risk Management

A. Explain the importance of policies, plans and procedures related to organizational security.

B. Summarize business impact analysis and concepts.

C. Explain risk management processes and concepts.

D. Follow incident response procedures.

E. Summarize basic concepts of forensics.

F. Explain disaster recovery and continuity of operation concepts.

G. Compare and contrast various types of controls.

H. Implement data security and privacy practices.

VI. Cryptography and PKI

A. Compare and contrast basic concepts of cryptography.

B. Explain cryptography algorithms and their basic characteristics.

C. Install and configure wireless security settings.

D. Understand public key infrastructure.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Python Literals, Operators and Variables 

A. Use Python literals int, float, string and Boolean. 

B. Use Python operators and variables.

II. Python Decision, Loops, Logic Operators and Lists 

A. Write scripts which use loops and decision. 

B. Write scripts which use logic operators. 

C. Write scripts which use lists. 

D. Use different list functions.

III. Functions, Scopes, Tuples and Dictionaries 

A. Explain and develop functions. 

B. Discuss the scopes of functions and variables. 

C. Discuss sequence types and mutability. 

D. Explain how to create and use dictionaries. 

E. Explain how to create and use tuples.

IV. Modules, Packages, Exception and String Methods 

A. Discuss how to use some of the most common Python modules. 

B. Explain how to make packages. 

C. Explain exception handling.  

D. Write scripts which use modules, and handle exception.

E. Explain strings and their methods, their similarities and differences compared to lists.

V. Object Oriented Programming, Methods, Inheritance, Exception, Generators and Processing Files 

A. Explain object-oriented programming implementation in Python including methods, classes, inheritance, abstraction, encapsulation and polymorphism. 

B. Discuss how to process data from files. 

C. Explain how to create your own exception. 

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Single-Area OSPFv2 Concepts and Configuration

A. Explain how single-area OSPFv2 operates. 

B. Configure single-area OSPFv2. 

C. Configure the OSPF interface priority to influence the Designated Router/Backup Designated Router (DR/BDR) election in a multi-access network. 

D. Verify a single-area OSPFv2 implementation.

II. Network Security Concepts 

A. Describe the current state of cybersecurity and vectors of data loss. 

B. Describe tools used by threat actors to exploit networks. 

C. Describe malware types and common network attacks. 

D. Explain how IP, Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP) vulnerabilities are exploited by threat actors. 

E. Describe best practices for protecting a network.

III. ACL Concepts and Configuration 

A. Explain how ACLs filter traffic. 

B. Configure standard and extended IPv4 ACLs to filter traffic to meet network requirements. 

C. Compare standard and extended IPv4 ACLs.

IV. NAT for IPv4 

A. Explain the purpose and function of NAT. 

B. Configure static and dynamic NAT using the Command Line Interface (CLI). 

C. Describe NAT for IPv6.

V. WAN Concepts 

A. Explain the purpose of a WAN. 

B. Explain how WAN operate. 

C. Compare traditional and modern WAN connectivity options. 

D. Compare internet-based connectivity options.

VI. VPN and IPsec Concepts 

A. Describe the benefits of VPN technology. 

B. Describe different types of VPNs. 

C. Explain how the IPsec framework is used to secure network traffic.

VII. QoS Concepts 

A. Describe minimum network requirements for voice, video and data traffic. 

B. Describe the queuing algorithms used by networking devices. 

C. Describe the different QoS models. 

D. Explain how QoS uses mechanisms to ensure transmission quality.

VIII. Network Management

A. Use CDP and LLDP to map a network topology. 

B. Implement Network Time Protocol (NTP) between an NTP client and NTP server. 

C. Explain Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and Syslog operations. 

D. Use Commands to backup and restore an Internetwork Operation System (IOS) configuration file. 

E. Implement protocols to manage the network.

IX. Network Design 

A. Explain how data, voice and video are converged in a switched network. 

B. Explain considerations for designing a scalable network. 

C. Explain how switch hardware features support network requirements. 

D. Describe the types of routers available for small to medium-sized business networks.

X. Network Troubleshooting 

A. Explain how network documentation is developed and used to troubleshoot network issues. 

B. Compare troubleshooting methods that use a systematic, layered approach. 

C. Describe different networking troubleshooting tools. 

D. Troubleshoot a network using the layered model.

XI. Network Virtualization 

A. Explain the importance of virtualization and cloud computing. 

B. Describe the virtualization of network devices and services. 

C. Describe software-defined networking. 

D. Describe controllers used in network programming.

XII. Network Automation 

A. Compare Java Script Object Notation (JSON), YAML Ain't Markup Language (YAML) and Extensible Markup Language (XML) data formats. 

B. Explain how APIs enable computer to computer communications.

C. Compare the configuration management tools Puppet, Chef, Ansible and SaltStack.  

D. Explain how Cisco Digital Network Architecture (DNA) center enable intent-based networking. 

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Network Threats and Mitigation Techniques

A. Explain network threats, mitigation techniques and the basics of securing a network.

B. Describe Trojan Horse attacks.

C. Identify computer viruses and worms.

D. Identify denial of service attacks.

II. Administrative Access to Network Devices

A. Explain physical security and its implementation.

B. Disable unused services to minimize the attack surface.

C. Implement enhanced login security methods.

D. Implement server-based AAA authentication using Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) and Terminal Access Controller Access Control System (TACACS) protocols.

III. Firewall Technologies

A. Describe the operation of firewalls.

B. Configure packet filtering using access control lists.

C. Implement a router-based firewall to protect the perimeter of the network.

D. Implement a dedicated firewall appliance to protect the perimeter of the network.

IV. IPS

A. Explain how network-based IPS is used to help secure a network.

B. Explain how signatures are used to detect malicious network traffic.

C. Configure Cisco IPS operations.

V. LAN Security

A. Compare and contrast internal and external network threats.

B. Implement layer 2 security measures to mitigate internal threats.

C. Configure port security on a network switch.

D. Explain common technologies used to enhance endpoint security.

VI. Confidentiality and Integrity

A. Describe common public and symmetric key encryption algorithms.

B. Describe common hashing algorithms used in data integrity.

C. Explain the functions of digital certificates in e-commerce transactions.

D. Describe the framework of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI).

E. Explain steganography technology and its applications.

VII. VPNs

A. Describe encryption protocols used in VPN applications.

B. Compare site-to-site and remote access VPN technologies.

C. Implement site-to-site VPN using Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) architecture.

D. Implement remote access VPN using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocols.

VIII. Security Policies

A. Analyze internal and external security risks.

B. Define disaster recovery procedures.

C. Develop an action plan.

D. Write a formal security plan.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Systems Operations

A. Describe system operations in the cloud related to automated and repeatable deployments.

B. Explain AWS regions and edge locations, and criteria for selecting them.

C. Describe core services related to system operations, including services for network, compute and access.

D. Explain how AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) provides security over AWS account resources.

E. Describe AWS Command Line Interface (AWS CLI) features.

II. Tooling and Automation

A. Describe the purpose and function of AWS Systems Manager and its related features.

B. Explain AWS Tools for PowerShell.

C. Identify development tools used for tooling and automation.

D. Explain how Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) can be used to host a static website.

III. Compute Instances and Configuration

A. Describe Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) virtualization.

B. Differentiate between instance types, storage options and networking components with EC2 instances.

C. Explain Amazon EC2 user data and metadata.

D. Create Amazon EC2 instances.

E. Describe Elastic Load Balancing features.

F. Use EC2 Auto Scaling.

G. Configure failover routing.

H. Explain the purpose of AWS Lambda.

I. Describe the purpose and function of application programing interfaces (APIs), including RESTful APIs.

J. Explain containers and the AWS services that support container usage.

K. Differentiate the types of managed database services offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and identify their recommended use.

IV. Networking 

A. Explain the foundational role of an Amazon virtual private cloud (VPC) in AWS Cloud networking.

B. Identify the networking components inside of a VPC and their purpose.

C. Differentiate the options for VPC connectivity.

D. Describe the layered network defense model inside a VPC, such as network Access Control Lists (network ACLs), security groups, and bastion hosts.

E. List the steps to troubleshoot common VPC network issues.

F. Configure a VPC.

V. Storage Management

A. Differentiate the AWS data storage options and explain their purpose and benefits.

B. Create and manage Amazon EBS snapshots.

C. Store, retrieve, and archive Amazon S3 objects.

D. Identify AWS data migration services.

VI. Monitoring and Security

A. Describe Amazon CloudWatch monitoring features, including metrics and alarm details.

B. Describe Amazon CloudWatch log features and benefits.

C. Explain the purpose and function of AWS CloudTrail.

D. Describe AWS Config features and benefits.

E. Use Amazon CloudWatch to monitor applications and infrastructure.

VII. Managing Resource Consumption

A. Explain the purpose and function of tagging in AWS.

B. Describe the cost management strategies associated with tagging.

C. Enforce tagging using Identity and Access Management (IAM) policies.

D. Identify some of the cost benefits of the cloud.

E. Explain the purpose and function of the AWS Trusted Advisor service.

F. Manage resources with tagging.

VIII. Automated and Repeatable Deployments

A. Identify some of the AWS services for configuration management.

B. Describe the challenges associated with cloud deployments and potential solutions for remedy.

C. Discuss infrastructure as code and the value it creates.

D. Explain the purpose of AWS CloudFormation.

E. Describe types of errors with AWS CloudFormation and their remedies.

F. Implement best practices using AWS CloudFormation.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Identities and Governance

A. Manage Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) objects.

B. Implement access control.

C. Manage subscriptions and governance.

II. Storage

A. Configure access to storage.

B. Manage data in Azure storage accounts.

C. Configure Azure files and Azure Blob Storage.

III. Compute Resources

A. Automate deployment of resources by using templates.

B. Create and configure virtual machines (VMs).

C. Manage containers.

D. Configure an Azure App Service.

IV. Virtual Networking

A. Implement, manage, secure and monitor virtual networks.

B. Configure load balancing.

V. Backup Resources

A. Monitor resources using Azure Monitor.

B. Implement backup and recovery.

VI. Identity and Access

A. Manage Azure AD identities.

B. Configure secure access using Azure AD.

C. Manage application access.

D. Implement access control.

VII. Platform Protection

A. Implement advanced network security.

B. Configure advanced security for compute.

VIII. Security Operations

A. Configure centralized policy management.

B. Manage threat protection.

C. Monitor security solutions.

IX. Data and Applications Security

A. Configure security for storage.

B. Manage security for data.

C. Implement Azure Key Vault

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Windows Client

A. Prepare for a Windows client deployment.

B. Plan and implement a Windows client deployment by using Windows Autopilot.

C. Manage a Windows client deployment by using the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT).

D. Configure remote management.

II. Identity and Compliance

A. Manage identity.

B. Implement compliance policies for all supported device platforms by using Intune.

III. Devices

A. Manage the device lifecycle in Intune.

B. Manage device configuration.

C. Monitor devices.

D. Configure device updates.

E. Implement endpoint protection.

IV. Applications

A. Deploy and update apps.

B. Plan and implement app protection and app configuration policies.

V. Microsoft 365 Tenant

A. Implement and manage a Microsoft 365 tenant.

B. Manage users and groups.

C. Manage roles in Microsoft 365.

VI. Azure AD Identity and Access

A. Implement and manage identity synchronization with Azure AD.

B. Manage authentication.

C. Configure secure access.

VII. Security and Threats

A. Manage security reports and alerts by using the Microsoft 365 Defender portal.

B. Manage email and collaboration protection by using Microsoft Defender for Office 365.

C. Implement endpoint protection by using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.

VIII. Compliance

A. Implement Microsoft Purview information protection and data lifecycle management.

B. Configure Microsoft Purview data loss prevention (DLP).

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Shell Configuration

A. Work on the command line.

B. Process text streams using filters.

C. Use streams, pipes and redirects.

II. Basic File Management

A. Perform basic file management.

B. Locate system files and place files in the correct location.

III. Text Processing

A. Search Text Files using regular expressions.

B. Perform basic file editing operations using the vi editor.

C. Create, monitor and kill processes.

D. Modify process execution priorities.

IV.  Advanced File Management

A. Manage file permission and ownership.

B. Create and change hard and symbolic links.

C. Create and manage archives.

V. Boot Process

A. Determine and configure hardware settings.

B. Change runlevels and shutdown or reboot system.

C. Boot the system and install a boot manager.

VI. Partitions

A. Design hard disk layout.

B. Create partitions and filesystems.

C. Control mounting and unmounting of filesystems.

VII. Filesystems Administration

A. Maintain the integrity of filesystems.

B. Manage disk quotas.

VIII. System Software

A. Use Red Hat package management.

B. Use Debian package management.

C. Manage shared libraries.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Advanced Shell Features

A. Customize and use the shell environment.

B. Customize or write simple scripts.

C. Configure and use Structured Query Language (SQL) data management.

II. Display Administration

A. Install and configure X11.

B. Set up a display manager.

C. Configure accessibility, localization and internationalization.

III. System Administration

A. Manage user and group accounts and related system files.

B. Automate system administration tasks by scheduling jobs.

IV. Essential System Services

A. Configure and maintain network time synchronization.

B. Configure and manage system logging.

C. Configure basic mail transfer agent.

D. Configure and manage printers and printing.

V. Network Fundamentals

A. Describe the fundamentals of Internet Protocols.

B. Configure the network interface.

C. Utilize troubleshooting commands and utilities.

D. Configure client-side Domain Name System (DNS).

VI. System Security Features

A. Perform security administration tasks.

B. Describe and utilize methods of host security.

C. Describe and perform data encryption.

Content Outline and Competencies:

 I. Digital Forensics Fundamentals

A. Plan the investigation case.

B. Prepare the computer forensics workstation and software.

C. Acquire, validate, extract and analyze digital evidence.

D. Complete the investigation case.

II. File Systems

A. Describe the filing system and disk structures for Windows.

B. Explain the structure of the Windows registry.

C. Describe the filing system and disk structures for Linux.

D. Explain the boot process for Linux.

III. Forensics Tools

A. Identify the need for computer forensics tools.

B. Evaluate the requirements for common forensics tools.

C. Validate and test common forensics tools.

IV. Forensics Artifacts

A. Summarize the Chain of Custody process.

B. Describe procedures used to protect digital evidence.

C. Verify compliance with common laws regarding search and seizure of digital evidence.

V. Web Browser Forensics

A. Extract evidence from common web browser activities.

B. Reconstruct browsing index.dat files.

C. Compare the security configurations of common web browsers.

VI. Email Forensics

A. Explore the roles of the client and server in email.

B. Investigate email crimes and violations.

C. Implement specialized email forensics tools.

D. Contrast the operation of common email systems.

VII. Forensics Reports

A. Explain digital forensics reporting guidelines.

B. Review examples of local forensics reports.

C. Create a digital forensics report.

VIII. Anti-Forensics Methods

A. Implement steganography to obscure evidence.

B. Describe methods used to overwrite data and metadata.

C. Implement techniques to recover damaged digital evidence.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Reconnaissance and Footprinting

A. Use Network Mapper (Nmap) to outline the attack surface of potential targets.

B. Use Wireshark and Transport Control Protocol Dump (tcpdump) to identify system vulnerabilities.

C. Perform network enumeration to discover remote hosts, open ports and fingerprints of installed operating systems and applications.

II. Social Engineering

A. List common social engineering techniques.

B. Identify policies to train users to recognize social engineering attacks.

C. Describe impersonation methods used to compromise social networking accounts.

D. Identify countermeasures to protect against identity theft.

III. Passwords Attacks

A. Describe password-cracking techniques including dictionary, brute force and rainbow tables.

B. Extract password hashes from computer filing systems.

C. Perform password cracking using John the Ripper and Hashcat.

D. Develop strong password policies to mitigate unauthorized access.

IV. Penetration Testing

A. Describe Metasploit and Meterpreter frameworks.

B. Configure and launch system hacks using Metasploit.

C. Analyze antivirus evasion techniques to bypass installed security measures.

D. Implement pivoting strategies to expand attacks from the target environment.

V. Web Attacks

A. Probe web applications for potential vulnerabilities.

B. Perform web penetration testing with Nikto and Zed Attack Proxy (ZAP).

C. Hack web applications using XSS, Cross-Site Request Forgery (XSRF) and command injection.

VI. Network Analysis

A. Compare common network sniffing tools.

B. Configure Wireshark filters to capture specific network traffic.

C. Analyze captured packets in Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) stream to locate sensitive data.

D. Install measures to avoid intrusion detection systems and firewalls.

VII. Backdoors

A. Install a Virtual Network Computing (VNC) backdoor to compromise remote access.

B. Configure NetCat as a backdoor on remote systems.

C. Scan hosts on the network for potential backdoors.

VIII. Cryptography

A. Contrast symmetric and asymmetric encryption algorithms.

B. Create and install Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificates.

C. Describe the framework of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI).

D. Use cryptanalysis tools to launch cryptographic attacks.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Cybersecurity and the Security Operations Center

A. Explain why networks and data are attacked.

B. Explain how to prepare for a career in Cybersecurity operations.

II. Windows Operating System

A. Explain the operation of the Windows Operating System.

B. Explain how to secure Windows endpoints.

III. Linux Operating System

A. Perform basic operations in the Linux shell.

B. Perform basic Linux administration tasks.

C. Perform basic security-related tasks on a Linux host.

IV. Network Protocols and Services

A. Explain how protocols enable network operations.

B. Explain how the Ethernet and IP protocols support network communication.

C. Use common testing utilities to verify and test network connectivity.

D. Explain how the address resolution protocol enables communication on a network.

E. Explain how transport layer protocols and network services support network functionality.

F. Explain how network services enable network functionality.

V. Network Infrastructure

A. Explain how network devices enable wired and wireless network communication.

B. Explain how devices and services are used to enhance network security.

C. Explain how networks and network topologies are represented.

VI. Principles of Network Security

A. Explain how networks are attacked.

B. Explain the various types of threats and attacks.

VII. Network Attacks: A Deeper Look

A. Explain network traffic monitoring.

B. Explain how Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) vulnerabilities enable network attacks.

C. Explain how common network applications and services are vulnerable to attack.

VIII. Protecting the Network

A. Explain approaches to network security defense.

B. Explain access control as a method of protecting a network.

C. Explain how firewalls and other devices prevent network intrusions.

D. Explain how content filtering prevents unwanted data from entering the network.

E. Use various intelligence sources to locate current security threats.

IX. Cryptography and the Public Key Infrastructure

A. Use tools to encrypt and decrypt data.

B. Explain how the public key infrastructure (PKI) supports network security.

X. Endpoint Security and Analysis

A. Use a tool to generate a malware analysis report.

B. Classify endpoint vulnerability assessment information.

XI. Security Monitoring

A. Explain how security technologies affect security monitoring.

B. Explain the types of log files used in security monitoring.

XII. Intrusion Data Analysis

A. Explain how security-related data is collected.

B. Arrange a variety of log files in preparation for intrusion data analysis.

C. Analyze intrusion data to determine the source of an attack.

XIII. Incident Response and Handling

A. Apply incident response models to an intrusion event.

B. Apply standards specified in National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 800-61r2 to a computer security incident.

C. Given a set of logs, isolate a threat actor and recommend an incident response plan.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Work Activities Accomplished On-the-Job

A. Describe job-related activities accomplished while at the workplace.

B. Keep a log-book of weekly activities or tasks performed while at the workplace.

C. Furnish activity log compiled for each week of work to the instructor at the end of the course.

II. Company, Products and Services

A. Describe the company where the internship duties are performed, including the company’s mission or goals.

B. Provide a general outline of the organizational structure of the company and where the student fits into that structure.

C. Identify and describe the products and services produced by the company.

D. Provide a detailed description of products and services the student was directly involved with during the internship.

III. Classroom Experience to Work Assignments

A. Install and/or maintain equipment for a local area network (LAN).

B. Install and/or support software for a local area network.

C. Administer user accounts and access rights for a local area network.

D. Install and/or support a local web server and website.

E. Provide PC and network support for end-users.

IV. Workplace Skills

A. Follow written and oral instructions.

B. Demonstrate effective oral communication.

C. Create and present technical information in written format.

D. Compile and maintain records, logs or other documents.

E. Demonstrate interpersonal skills appropriate to a business environment.

F. Solve problems in a logical and reasonable manner.

G. Participate in team or group project.

H. Manage time and resources effectively.

I. Follow employee rules, regulations and policies.

J. Demonstrate effective work ethics appropriate to a business environment.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Work Activities Accomplished On-the-Job
   A. Describe job related activities accomplished while at the workplace.
   B. Keep a log book of weekly activities or tasks performed while at the workplace.
   C. Furnish activity log compiled for each week of work to the instructor at the end of the course.

II. Description of Company, Products and Services
   A. Describe the company or business for which the internship duties were performed. This shall include company’s mission and goals.
   B. Provide a general outline of the organizational structure of the
company and where the student fits into that structure.
   C. Identify and describe the products and services the company produces.
   D. Provide a detailed description of products and services the student was directly involved with during the internship.

III. Apply Classroom Experience to Work Assignments
   A. Install and/or maintain equipment for a local area network (LAN).
   B. Install and/or support software for a local area network.
   C. Administer user accounts and access rights for a local area network.
   D. Install and/or support a local web server and website.
   E. Provide PC and network support for end-users.

IV. Demonstrate Workplace Skills
   A. Follow written and oral instructions.
   B. Demonstrate effective oral communication.
   C. Create and present technical information in written format.
   D. Compile and maintain records, logs or other documents.
   E. Demonstrate interpersonal skills appropriate to a business environment.
   F. Solve problems in a logical and reasonable manner.
   G. Participate in team or group project.
   H. Manage time and resources effectively.
   I. Follow employee rules, regulations and policies.
   J. Demonstrate effective work ethics appropriate to a business environment.

Content Outline and Competencies:

Because of the nature of a Special Topics course, the course Content Outline and Competencies will vary, depending on the Special Topic being offered. The Special Topics course outlines must be designed in the standard format for all JCCC-approved courses and must include the standard course objectives for a Special Topics class. The course Content Outline and Competencies must be written in outcome-based language. In order to maintain course consistency, rigor, and uniqueness, each section of this course first must be reviewed and approved by the Information Technology faculty and division curriculum committee prior to its being offered. Any specific Special Topics topic may not be repeated within a standard four-semester sequence.