COURSE

Use PKI to Secure a Network Environment

Course

In this IT Pro Challenges virtual lab, learners are introduced to skills required to secure networks using PKI. Exercises in this lab teach users how to configure HTTPS, DNSSEC, NRPT, and EFS while learning PKI concepts. The topics covered in this lab are critical for learners to be effective in system administrator job roles in cybersecurity.

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Advanced

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Designed for learners who have no prior work experience in IT or Cybersecurity, but are interested in starting a career in this exciting field.
Designed for learners with prior cybersecurity work experience who are interested in advancing their career or expanding their skillset.
Designed for learners with a solid grasp of foundational IT and cybersecurity concepts who are interested in pursuing an entry-level security role.
Experience Level

406

Enrollees

30

XP

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Earn qualifying credits for certification renewal with completion certificates provided for submission.
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Skills you'll gain

Course Outline

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Course Description

PKI, also known as Public Key Infrastructure, is the structure of encryption and security that secures connections between the server and the client. It uses two separate cryptographic keys: a public key and a private key. This preserves the user's data from fraud or tampering. The goal of a public-key is to control keys and certificates.

In this hands-on lab, you will use PKI to secure a network environment. First, you will install the Window Server Certification Authority role, and then you will configure an enterprise root certificate authority (CA). Next, you will configure a web server to require HTTPS client certificates, and then you will enable DNSSEC for a DNS zone. Finally, you will encrypt files by using EFS. The other guided and advanced challenges in this series are "Enable DNSSEC" and "Can You Secure DNS Resource Records and Windows NTFS Volume File Objects?" respectively.

Understand the Scenario

In this virtual lab, you are a system administrator for a company that plans to use a public key infrastructure (PKI) to secure data systems and digital assets. Certificates will be used to ensure that only clients with trusted certificates can connect to the IIS web site over HTTPS. Your job is to enable DNSSEC and protect data at rest by using EFS. To accomplish this, you will use a virtual machine named DC1 that runs Microsoft Windows Server 2016. DC1 is configured as a domain controller for an Active Directory domain named Contoso. You will connect to the virtual machine console directly in the lab environment.

Install and configure the Certification Authority role

A certificate authority (CA) is a committed entity that distributes digital certificates, which are data files applied to cryptographically combine an entity with a public key. The digital certificate can then be verified using the certificate authority's public key. In this section of the lab, you will install and configure the Certification Authority role. First, you will install Active Directory Certificate Services and the Certification Authority role service, and finally, you will create a new enterprise root CA named ContosoCA.

Configure HTTPS on a web server

In this section of the lab, you will now configure HTTPS on a web server. First, you will create a custom web server certificate template that derives the subject name from the Active Directory DNS name of the computer. Next, you will acquire a web server certificate using the CustomWebServer template, and then specify a friendly name of WebSite1.Configure an IIS HTTPS binding for the default web site using the WebSite1 certificate. HTTPS is Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. It is the custom where encrypted HTTP data is transported over a reliable connection.

Configure DNSSEC

After configuring HTTPS on a web server, in this section of the lab, learners will now configure DNSSEC. DNSSEC secures the Internet community from falsified DNS information by utilizing public-key cryptography to digitally confirm valid region data when it arrives at the system and then confirm it at its target. In the Default Domain Policy, you will enable DNSSEC for all client DNS queries against DNS records in the contoso.com DNS zone.

Configure the Name Resolution Policy Table

The Name Resolution Policy Table (NRPT) allows users to implement name resolution methods on security-aware DNS clients. The NRPT is a table that includes rules that you can set to define DNS settings or specific behavior for names or namespaces. The NRPT can be configured using the Group Policy Management Editor. In this section of the lab, you will configure the Name Resolution Policy Table. In the Default Domain Policy, you will enable DNSSEC for all client DNS queries against DNS records in the contoso.com DNS zone and refresh Group Policy.

Encrypt files and folders using EFS

EFS is the Encrypting File System. It uses an encryption quality to select files for EFS security. The system then encrypts with the public key and saves it with the encrypted file. When users access the encrypted file, the policy applies the private key for decryption and then uses the FEK to decrypt the file. In this section of the lab, you will encrypt files and folders using EFS. First, you will create a folder named SampleFiles in the root folder on drive C and then create SampleFile1.txt and SampleFile2.txt in the SampleFiles folder. Next, you will encrypt SampleFile1.txt by using File Explorer and encrypt SampleFile2.txt using cipher.exe.

Lab Summary Conclusion

After completing the "Can You Use PKI to Secure a Network Environment?" virtual lab, you will have accomplished the following:

  • Install and configure the Certification Authority role.
  • Configure HTTPS on a web server.
  • Configure DNSSEC.
  • Configure the Name Resolution Policy Table.
  • Encrypt files and folders using EFS.

‍

Train Your Team

Cybrary’s expert-led cybersecurity courses help your team remediate skill gaps and get up-to-date on certifications. Utilize Cybrary to stay ahead of emerging threats and provide team members with clarity on how to learn, grow, and advance their careers within your organization.

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Included in a Path

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Learn

Learn core concepts and get hands-on with key skills.

Practice

Exercise your problem-solving and creative thinking skills with security-centric puzzles

Prove

Assess your knowledge and skills to identify areas for improvement and measure your growth

Get Hands-on Learning

Put your skills to the test in virtual labs, challenges, and simulated environments.

Measure Your Progress

Track your skills development from lesson to lesson using the Cybrary Skills Tracker.

Connect with the Community

Connect with peers and mentors through our supportive community of cybersecurity professionals.

Success from Our Learners

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Principal Systems Engineer/SAIC

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Mike

Security Engineer and Pentester/

"Cybrary really helped me get up to speed and acquire a baseline level of technical knowledge. It offers a far more comprehensive approach than just learning from a book. It actually shows you how to apply cybersecurity processes in a hands-on way"

Don Gates

Principal Systems Engineer/SAIC

"Cybrary’s SOC Analyst career path was the difference maker, and was instrumental in me landing my new job. I was able to show the employer that I had the right knowledge and the hands-on skills to execute the role."

Cory

Cybersecurity analyst/

"I was able to earn my CISSP certification within 60 days of signing up for Cybrary Insider Pro and got hired as a Security Analyst conducting security assessments and penetration testing within 120 days. This certainly wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Cybrary mentor community."

Mike

Security Engineer and Pentester/

"Becoming a Cybrary Insider Pro was a total game changer. Cybrary was instrumental in helping me break into cybersecurity, despite having no prior IT experience or security-related degree. Their career paths gave me clear direction, the instructors had real-world experience, and the virtual labs let me gain hands-on skills I could confidently put on my resume and speak to in interviews."

Cassandra

Information Security Analyst/Cisco Systems

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Casey

Cyber Systems Engineer/BDO

"Cybrary has helped me improve my hands-on skills and pass my toughest certification exams, enabling me to achieve 13 advanced certifications and successfully launch my own business. I love the practice tests for certification exams, especially, and appreciate the wide-ranging training options that let me find the best fit for my goals"

Angel

Founder,/ IntellChromatics.

courses

Use PKI to Secure a Network Environment

In this IT Pro Challenges virtual lab, learners are introduced to skills required to secure networks using PKI. Exercises in this lab teach users how to configure HTTPS, DNSSEC, NRPT, and EFS while learning PKI concepts. The topics covered in this lab are critical for learners to be effective in system administrator job roles in cybersecurity.

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1
H 
0
M
Time
Advanced
difficulty
ceu/cpe

Course Content

Course Description

PKI, also known as Public Key Infrastructure, is the structure of encryption and security that secures connections between the server and the client. It uses two separate cryptographic keys: a public key and a private key. This preserves the user's data from fraud or tampering. The goal of a public-key is to control keys and certificates.

In this hands-on lab, you will use PKI to secure a network environment. First, you will install the Window Server Certification Authority role, and then you will configure an enterprise root certificate authority (CA). Next, you will configure a web server to require HTTPS client certificates, and then you will enable DNSSEC for a DNS zone. Finally, you will encrypt files by using EFS. The other guided and advanced challenges in this series are "Enable DNSSEC" and "Can You Secure DNS Resource Records and Windows NTFS Volume File Objects?" respectively.

Understand the Scenario

In this virtual lab, you are a system administrator for a company that plans to use a public key infrastructure (PKI) to secure data systems and digital assets. Certificates will be used to ensure that only clients with trusted certificates can connect to the IIS web site over HTTPS. Your job is to enable DNSSEC and protect data at rest by using EFS. To accomplish this, you will use a virtual machine named DC1 that runs Microsoft Windows Server 2016. DC1 is configured as a domain controller for an Active Directory domain named Contoso. You will connect to the virtual machine console directly in the lab environment.

Install and configure the Certification Authority role

A certificate authority (CA) is a committed entity that distributes digital certificates, which are data files applied to cryptographically combine an entity with a public key. The digital certificate can then be verified using the certificate authority's public key. In this section of the lab, you will install and configure the Certification Authority role. First, you will install Active Directory Certificate Services and the Certification Authority role service, and finally, you will create a new enterprise root CA named ContosoCA.

Configure HTTPS on a web server

In this section of the lab, you will now configure HTTPS on a web server. First, you will create a custom web server certificate template that derives the subject name from the Active Directory DNS name of the computer. Next, you will acquire a web server certificate using the CustomWebServer template, and then specify a friendly name of WebSite1.Configure an IIS HTTPS binding for the default web site using the WebSite1 certificate. HTTPS is Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. It is the custom where encrypted HTTP data is transported over a reliable connection.

Configure DNSSEC

After configuring HTTPS on a web server, in this section of the lab, learners will now configure DNSSEC. DNSSEC secures the Internet community from falsified DNS information by utilizing public-key cryptography to digitally confirm valid region data when it arrives at the system and then confirm it at its target. In the Default Domain Policy, you will enable DNSSEC for all client DNS queries against DNS records in the contoso.com DNS zone.

Configure the Name Resolution Policy Table

The Name Resolution Policy Table (NRPT) allows users to implement name resolution methods on security-aware DNS clients. The NRPT is a table that includes rules that you can set to define DNS settings or specific behavior for names or namespaces. The NRPT can be configured using the Group Policy Management Editor. In this section of the lab, you will configure the Name Resolution Policy Table. In the Default Domain Policy, you will enable DNSSEC for all client DNS queries against DNS records in the contoso.com DNS zone and refresh Group Policy.

Encrypt files and folders using EFS

EFS is the Encrypting File System. It uses an encryption quality to select files for EFS security. The system then encrypts with the public key and saves it with the encrypted file. When users access the encrypted file, the policy applies the private key for decryption and then uses the FEK to decrypt the file. In this section of the lab, you will encrypt files and folders using EFS. First, you will create a folder named SampleFiles in the root folder on drive C and then create SampleFile1.txt and SampleFile2.txt in the SampleFiles folder. Next, you will encrypt SampleFile1.txt by using File Explorer and encrypt SampleFile2.txt using cipher.exe.

Lab Summary Conclusion

After completing the "Can You Use PKI to Secure a Network Environment?" virtual lab, you will have accomplished the following:

  • Install and configure the Certification Authority role.
  • Configure HTTPS on a web server.
  • Configure DNSSEC.
  • Configure the Name Resolution Policy Table.
  • Encrypt files and folders using EFS.

‍

This course is part of a Career Path:
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Complete this entire course to earn a Use PKI to Secure a Network Environment Certificate of Completion

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Purpose Statement

Cybrary Career Paths are comprehensive training programs designed to prepare you for the most in-demand roles in the cybersecurity workforce. Each path follows a Learn, Practice, Prove model and includes different activity types aligned to key topics within the path’s security domain. As you progress through the path, your progress will be measured in real time using Experience Points (XP) that serve as a comprehensive capability score for each topic. Upon completing all of the requirements for a path, you will be rewarded with a shareable digital badge via Credly.
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Overview

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Frequently Asked Questions
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What Will I Learn?
Foundations
Focused on the core IT competencies that cybersecurity professionals need to succeed in any career path.
Defensive Security
Focused on trying to find the bad guys. Topics such as threat intelligence, threat hunting, network monitoring, incident response. Defensive security is a reactive measure taken once a vulnerability is found through prevention, detection, and response.
Engineering and Operations
Focused on building and operating information systems.
Governance, Risk, and Compliance
Focused on the core IT competencies that cybersecurity professionals need to succeed in any career path.
Leadership and Management
Focused on program design and oversight. Covers project and program management.
Offensive Security
Focused on validating security controls by trying to break them (i.e. penetration testing or ethical hacking). Topics such as Kali Linux, metasploit, scanning, and privilege escalation. Offensive security seeks out the problem or vulnerability through ethical hacking and finds a solution to disable the operation.
Offensive Security
Focused on the core IT competencies that cybersecurity professionals need to succeed in any career path.
Path Outline

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