Familiarity with implementing network security policies and these networking components and concepts:

• Security Technologies: NAT, PAT, firewall appliances, VPN, IPS,CSA, ACS, integrated router and switch security and security management software.
• Security Protocols: AAA, IPSec, IKE, and various tunneling protocols.
• Application Protocols: HTTP, HTTPS, ICMP, SSH, SSL, NTP, FTP, TFTP, DNS etc.

Cisco Security Manager is a powerful but easy to use solution to centrally provision all aspects of security policies for Cisco firewalls and VPN,s. Cisco Security Manager can also cross launch to software, which is provided to manage Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS). Management of IPS will be further integrated into Cisco Security Manager in a following release.

Cisco Security Manager is suitable for managing small networks consisting of a handful of devices, but also scales to efficiently manage large scale networks consisting of thousands of devices. Scalability is achieved through intelligent policy-based management techniques that can simplify administration.

Cisco Security Manager supports integrated provisioning of VPN and firewall services across IOS routers, PIX, ASA security appliances, IPS, and services modules in Catalyst 6500 switch series and Cisco 7600 router series devices. The resulting learning product is a performance-based course comprised of lessons and lab activities.

The course outline is as follows: 

• Module 1

Provides an overview of Cisco Security Manager. Lessons in this module are: Introducing Cisco Security Manager, Managing Devices, Managing Policies, Managing Objects, Using Map View.

• Module 2

Provides understanding and configuration process of provisioning security devices using Cisco Security Manager. Lessons in this module are: Managing Virtual Private Networks, Managing SSL VPNs, Managing Firewall Services, Managing Firewall Devices, Managing IPS Services and Devices, Managing Routers, Managing Catalyst 6500 Switch Series and Cisco 7600 Router Series Devices.

• Module 3

Describes FlexConfigs feature, managing deployment and administration tasks that can be performed in Cisco Security Manager. Lessons in this module are: Managing FlexConfigs, Managing Activities and Workflow Deployments, Using Monitoring, Troubleshooting, and Diagnostic Tools.