Communications and Network Security
Network breaches cost organisations millions—and your team needs to understand how data moves across systems to protect it. This Pluralsight course by Kevin Henry cuts through the noise, teaching you the communications protocols and security mechanisms that actually matter in production environments.
AIU.ac Verdict: Ideal for security professionals, network engineers, and IT teams building defensive strategies. You’ll gain hands-on familiarity with real-world attack vectors and mitigation techniques. Fair warning: it assumes baseline networking knowledge (OSI model, TCP/IP)—pure beginners may need foundational prep first.
What This Course Covers
You’ll explore how data travels across networks, dissecting protocols at each layer and identifying where attackers typically strike. The course covers encryption fundamentals, authentication mechanisms, and common vulnerabilities in communications infrastructure—all grounded in practical scenarios you’ll recognise from your own systems.
Expect to work through real-world labs where you’ll configure security controls, analyse network traffic, and respond to simulated threats. Kevin Henry structures this around immediate applicability: by the end, you’ll know how to audit your organisation’s network posture and recommend concrete hardening steps.
Who Is This Course For?
Ideal for:
- Network and Security Engineers: Need to design and defend network infrastructure; this course fills gaps between theory and implementation.
- IT Operations and Systems Administrators: Managing systems that communicate across networks; essential for understanding breach vectors and compliance requirements.
- Cybersecurity Career-Switchers: Building foundational knowledge before pursuing CISSP, Security+, or similar certifications; practical grounding beats exam-only prep.
May not suit:
- Complete Networking Novices: Assumes you understand OSI layers and TCP/IP basics; start with introductory networking courses first.
- Application-Only Developers: Focuses on network and communications layer security, not application-level defence (OWASP, API security, etc.).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Communications and Network Security take?
2 hours 58 minutes. Realistic for a single sitting or split across two focused sessions.
Do I need hands-on lab access?
Yes—Pluralsight includes sandboxed labs where you’ll configure and test security controls. You’ll need a Pluralsight subscription (included with AIU.ac access).
What networking knowledge should I have beforehand?
Familiarity with OSI model layers, TCP/IP, and basic routing concepts. If you’re unsure, take a quick networking fundamentals refresher first.
Will this prepare me for security certifications?
It’s solid foundational material for Security+, CISSP, and CCNA Security. Pair it with exam-specific study guides for full certification readiness.
Course by Kevin Henry on Pluralsight. Duration: 2h 58m. Last verified by AIU.ac: March 2026.
