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Cisco Problem Statement

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Cisco Problem Statement

Good

Uploaded by

Prince
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Problem Statement:

The college has discovered that students are misusing campus resources and accessing irrelevant
websites. To ensure the network is used solely for educational and relevant activities, the college
seeks a solution to restrict access to only allowed categories of web content.

Tasks & Deliverables


1. Explore Network Security Solutions:

- Investigate various network security products that can provide content filtering capabilities.

- Identify products that are suitable for an educational environment and can enforce content
restrictions effectively.

2. Update Campus Network Topology:

- Design and update the existing network topology to incorporate the new security component(s).

- Ensure that the integration of the new component(s) does not disrupt existing network
functionalities.

3. Explain Reasoning and Solution:

- Provide a detailed explanation of the chosen solution.

- Discuss the risks and advantages of the proposed solution.

- Highlight how the solution mitigates misuse of campus resources and enhances network security.

4. Write Content Filtering Policies:

- Draft policies in simple English language commands that specify the categories of web content
allowed and restricted.

- Ensure the policies are clear, enforceable, and aligned with the college's objectives.

Exploration of Network Security Solutions


How to Achieve Content Filtering:

- Web Filtering Solutions: Products like Cisco Umbrella, Barracuda Web Security Gateway, and
Fortinet FortiGate can provide comprehensive web filtering capabilities.
- Firewall with Content Filtering: Modern firewalls (Next-Generation Firewalls) often include built-in
content filtering features that can block access to specific web categories.

- Proxy Servers: Proxy servers can be configured to filter web traffic and restrict access based on
predefined categories.

Update Campus Network Topology


Proposed Topology Update:

- Integrate a Content Filtering Appliance: Add a dedicated web filtering appliance or upgrade the
existing firewall to a Next-Generation Firewall with content filtering capabilities.

- Network Flow: Route all outbound web traffic through the filtering appliance to ensure all
requests are checked against the allowed categories.

Reasoning, Risks, and Advantages


Chosen Solution: Next-Generation Firewall with Content Filtering (e.g., Cisco Umbrella or Fortinet
FortiGate)

Advantages:
- Comprehensive Protection: Filters web content, blocks malicious sites, and provides detailed
reporting.

- Ease of Management: Centralized management console for easy policy updates and monitoring.

- Scalability: Can scale with the network as the college grows.

- Integration: Can be integrated with existing security infrastructure.

Risks:
- Cost: Initial investment and ongoing subscription costs.

- Configuration Complexity: Requires proper configuration to avoid overblocking and ensure


legitimate access is not hindered.

- Performance Impact: May introduce latency if not properly sized for the network.
Content Filtering Policies
Sample Policies in Simple English:
1. Allow Educational Websites: Permit access to websites related to educational content, including
online libraries, research journals, educational forums, and learning management systems.

- Example: `Allow category: Education`

2. Block Social Media Sites: Restrict access to social media platforms to prevent distractions during
study hours.

- Example: `Block category: Social Media`

3. Allow Research and Academic Tools: Permit access to tools and websites necessary for academic
research and project work.

- Example: `Allow category: Research Tools`

4. Block Entertainment and Gaming Sites: Prevent access to entertainment, gaming, and other non-
educational websites.

- Example: `Block category: Entertainment`

5. Allow Safe Browsing: Ensure that safe search is enabled on search engines to block explicit
content.

- Example: `Enable safe search`

By implementing these policies and updating the network with the appropriate security components,
the college can effectively manage web access, ensuring that network resources are used responsibly
and for their intended educational purposes.

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