Securing Cisco Networks with Open Source Snort (SSFSNORT)

In this Securing Cisco Networks with Open Source Snort course provides a comprehensive introduction to Snort, focusing on deploying, configuring, and tuning intrusion detection and prevention capabilities in enterprise network environments. The curriculum begins with foundational Snort concepts, explaining how Snort operates as an intrusion detection and prevention engine, its role within modern security architectures, and the types of threats it is designed to detect. Learners gain hands-on experience installing Snort, understanding its operational modes, and interpreting intrusion detection output to identify suspicious and malicious traffic.

The course then moves into detailed configuration and rule management, covering Snort configuration files, variable usage, preprocessors, and rule syntax. Students learn how traffic is processed through the Snort engine, how rules are evaluated, and how advanced rule options enhance detection accuracy. Inline deployment is explored in depth, allowing learners to transition Snort from passive detection to active prevention. OpenAppID integration is introduced to demonstrate how application-level visibility enhances intrusion detection beyond traditional signature-based methods.

The final portion of the course focuses on operational optimization and tuning. Students learn how to manage rules using tools such as PulledPork, tune Snort to reduce false positives, and optimize performance for high-throughput environments. A comprehensive lab program reinforces all topics through practical exercises, including installation, inline configuration, rule development, OpenAppID setup, and tuning, equipping learners with the skills needed to deploy and operate Snort effectively in real-world security environments.

How you’ll benefit

This training will help you: 

• Learn how to implement Snort, an open-source, rule-based, intrusion detection and prevention system
• Gain leading-edge skills for high-demand responsibilities focused on security
• Earn 32 CE credits towards recertification

After taking this course, you should be able to:

• Describe Snort technology and identify the resources available for maintaining a Snort deployment
• Install and configure a Snort deployment
• Configure the command-line options for starting a Snort as a sniffer, a logger, and an intrusion detector, and create a script to start Snort automatically
• Identify and configure available Snort intrusion detection outputs
• Describe rule sources, updates, and utilities for managing rules and updates
• Detail the components of the snort.lua file and determine how to configure it for your deployment
• Configure Snort for inline operation using the inline-only features
• Configure rules for Snort using basic rule syntax
• Describe how traffic flows through Snort and how to optimize rules for better performance
• Configure advanced-rule options for Snort rules
• Configure OpenAppID features and functionality
• Tune Snort for efficient operation and profile system performance

• Security Administrators
• Security Consultants
• Network Administrators
• System Engineers
• Technical Support Personnel
• Channel Partners and Resellers

There are no prerequisites for this training. However, the knowledge and skills you are recommended to have before attending this training are:  

• Technical understanding of transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) networking and network architecture
• Proficiency with Linux and UNIX text editing tools, such as vi editor

 These skills can be found in the following Cisco Learning Offering:  

• Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions (CCNA)

Course Outline

• Snort Technology Introduction
• Snort Installation
• Snort Operation Introduction
• Snort Intrusion Detection Output
• Rule Management
• Snort Configuration
• Inline Configuration and Operation
• Snort Rule Syntax and Usage
• Snort Rule Traffic Processing Flow
• Advanced Rule Options
• OpenAppID Detection Configuration
• Snort Tuning

Lab Outline

• Connecting to the Lab Environment
• Snort Installation
• Snort Operation
• Snort Intrusion Detection Output
• PulledPork Installation
• Configuring Variables
• Reviewing Preprocessor Configurations
• Inline Operation
• Basic Rule Syntax and Usage
• Advanced Rule Options
• OpenAppID Configuration
• Tuning Snort