This one is for work related purposes - not school or personal reading - this book is on a recommended reading for some upcoming events, so I am getting a headstart.
Description -
Network security is not simply about building impenetrable walls — determined attackers will eventually overcome traditional defenses. The most effective computer security strategies integrate network security monitoring (NSM): the collection and analysis of data to help you detect and respond to intrusions.
In The Practice of Network Security Monitoring, Mandiant CSO Richard Bejtlich shows you how to use NSM to add a robust layer of protection around your networks — no prior experience required. To help you avoid costly and inflexible solutions, he teaches you how to deploy, build, and run an NSM operation using open source software and vendor-neutral tools.
You'll learn how to:
Determine where to deploy NSM platforms, and size them for the monitored networks
Deploy stand-alone or distributed NSM installations
Use command line and graphical packet analysis tools, and NSM consoles
Interpret network evidence from server-side and client-side intrusions
Integrate threat intelligence into NSM software to identify sophisticated adversaries
There's no foolproof way to keep attackers out of your network. But when they get in, you'll be prepared. The Practice of Network Security Monitoring will show you how to build a security net to detect, contain, and control them. Attacks are inevitable, but losing sensitive data shouldn't be.
I am only about 20 pages in and so far the book is written in a relatively easy to understand, not unduly cumbersome voice, which is nice if you are a moron like me. I am a little bothered by the emphasis on Security Onion (apparently it is the main suite of tools that will be used throughout the book). We installed it on our test network at work and man it was a dog. I may have to give it another try.
http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping