Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr)
1 **Foundation**
1-1 **Networking Fundamentals**
1-1 1 OSI and TCPIP Models
1-1 2 Network Devices and Their Functions
1-1 3 IP Addressing and Subnetting
1-1 4 Routing and Switching Basics
1-1 5 Network Security Fundamentals
1-2 **Enterprise Architecture**
1-2 1 Enterprise Network Design Principles
1-2 2 Network Segmentation and Zoning
1-2 3 Network Services and Protocols
1-2 4 Network Management and Monitoring
1-2 5 Network Automation and Programmability
2 **Design**
2-1 **Network Design Methodologies**
2-1 1 Design Life Cycle
2-1 2 Requirements Gathering and Analysis
2-1 3 Design Documentation and Validation
2-1 4 Design Implementation and Testing
2-1 5 Design Maintenance and Optimization
2-2 **Enterprise Network Design**
2-2 1 Campus Network Design
2-2 2 Data Center Network Design
2-2 3 WAN Design
2-2 4 Wireless Network Design
2-2 5 Security Architecture Design
3 **Implementation**
3-1 **Network Implementation Planning**
3-1 1 Implementation Strategies
3-1 2 Resource Allocation and Scheduling
3-1 3 Risk Management and Mitigation
3-1 4 Change Management
3-1 5 Post-Implementation Review
3-2 **Network Services Implementation**
3-2 1 IP Address Management (IPAM)
3-2 2 DNS and DHCP Implementation
3-2 3 Network Access Control (NAC)
3-2 4 VPN and Remote Access Implementation
3-2 5 Network Security Services Implementation
4 **Operation**
4-1 **Network Operations Management**
4-1 1 Network Monitoring and Performance Management
4-1 2 Fault Management and Troubleshooting
4-1 3 Capacity Planning and Management
4-1 4 Network Change and Configuration Management
4-1 5 Network Compliance and Auditing
4-2 **Network Security Operations**
4-2 1 Incident Response and Management
4-2 2 Threat Detection and Mitigation
4-2 3 Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
4-2 4 Vulnerability Management
4-2 5 Security Policy Enforcement and Monitoring
5 **Optimization**
5-1 **Network Optimization Techniques**
5-1 1 Traffic Engineering and Load Balancing
5-1 2 Quality of Service (QoS) Implementation
5-1 3 Network Performance Tuning
5-1 4 Energy Efficiency and Green Networking
5-1 5 Network Optimization Tools and Technologies
5-2 **Network Automation and Orchestration**
5-2 1 Network Programmability and Automation
5-2 2 Software-Defined Networking (SDN)
5-2 3 Network Function Virtualization (NFV)
5-2 4 Automation Tools and Frameworks
5-2 5 Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CICD) for Networks
6 **Leadership**
6-1 **Leadership and Management Skills**
6-1 1 Strategic Planning and Vision
6-1 2 Team Leadership and Development
6-1 3 Communication and Stakeholder Management
6-1 4 Financial Management and Budgeting
6-1 5 Project Management and Execution
6-2 **Professional Ethics and Standards**
6-2 1 Ethical Decision-Making
6-2 2 Industry Standards and Compliance
6-2 3 Intellectual Property and Licensing
6-2 4 Professional Development and Continuous Learning
6-2 5 Global and Cultural Awareness
4.2.1 Incident Response and Management Explained

4.2.1 Incident Response and Management Explained

Key Concepts

Incident Response and Management in network architecture involves a structured approach to detecting, responding to, and recovering from security incidents. Key concepts include:

Incident Detection

Incident Detection involves identifying security incidents through monitoring and alerting systems. This includes using tools like SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) and IDS/IPS (Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems) to detect anomalies and potential threats.

An analogy for Incident Detection is a security camera system. Just as cameras monitor a property for suspicious activities, detection systems monitor the network for potential security incidents.

Incident Classification

Incident Classification involves categorizing detected incidents based on their severity, impact, and type. This helps in prioritizing responses and allocating appropriate resources. Common classifications include low, medium, and high severity incidents.

Think of Incident Classification as triage in a hospital. Just as medical staff prioritize patients based on their condition, incident managers prioritize incidents based on their severity.

Incident Response Team

An Incident Response Team (IRT) is a group of professionals responsible for managing and resolving security incidents. The team typically includes members from IT, security, legal, and communications departments. Roles within the team may include incident commander, forensic analyst, and communication liaison.

An analogy for the Incident Response Team is a fire department. Just as firefighters respond to and manage fires, the IRT responds to and manages security incidents.

Incident Response Plan

An Incident Response Plan outlines the procedures and steps to be followed during a security incident. This includes defining roles and responsibilities, communication protocols, and recovery strategies. The plan ensures a coordinated and efficient response to incidents.

Think of the Incident Response Plan as an emergency action plan. Just as an emergency plan outlines steps to take during a disaster, the response plan outlines steps to take during a security incident.

Post-Incident Analysis

Post-Incident Analysis involves reviewing the incident to understand its cause, impact, and response effectiveness. This includes gathering data, conducting root cause analysis, and documenting lessons learned. The analysis helps in improving future incident responses.

An analogy for Post-Incident Analysis is a debriefing session after a mission. Just as a debriefing reviews what went well and what could be improved, post-incident analysis reviews the response to improve future handling of similar incidents.

Understanding and effectively implementing Incident Response and Management is crucial for maintaining a secure and resilient network. By mastering these concepts, network architects can ensure a swift and effective response to security incidents.