The Linux Foundation, the nonprofit advancing professional open source management for mass collaboration, has announced the availability of a new online learning course, Linux Security Fundamentals (LFS216). This self-paced course is an extension of The Linux Foundation’s dedication to helping secure the internet and other Linux and open source software and IT infrastructure.
“Open Source software underpins most of the Internet, facilitating trillions of dollars of business, but many projects lack rigorous security process,” said Nicko van Someren, chief technology officer at The Linux Foundation. “From day one, training and education play a key role in ensuring open source projects obtain a high state of security, quality and resiliency. Whether open or closed, software security must begin early on to minimize risk.”
Along with supporting the development of Linux and other mission-critical open source software, The Linux Foundation has taken steps to help ensure that the software it helps to produce is secure and users have all resources they need to be successful. Efforts include the Core Infrastructure Initiative’s Badges Program, in which open source projects like OpenStack are able to demonstrate security-conscious development. With Let’s Encrypt, The Linux Foundation and its partners have helped secure more than 5 million websites, and hope to eventually achieve a 100% secure web using HTTPS. Skills training that educates users on how to maximize system security is an essential complement to these initiatives.
The Linux Security Fundamentals class covers the basics that every IT professional working with Linux must know. It starts with an overview of computer security and touches on how security affects everyone in the chain of development, implementation, administration and end use.
Specific topics covered include:
- Threats and Risk Assessment
- Auditing and Detection
- Application Security
- Kernel Vulnerabilities
- Local System Security
- Network Security
- Denial of Service (DoS)
- Firewalling and Packet Filtering
LFS216 is intended for those involved with security related tasks at all levels. The hand-ons class uses virtual appliances to demonstrate “what happens when” rather than relying on typing exercises to configure complex servers. After completing this course, students will be able to assess current security needs, evaluate current security readiness and implement security options as required. This course is the second security offering for The Linux Foundation, the first being an instructor-led LInux Security (LFS416) course which has been offered since 2013.
“We recognize that security is a concern for any IT organization, which is why The Linux Foundation hosts initiatives such as the Core Infrastructure Initiative and Let’s Encrypt, which help make it easier to protect sensitive data and systems,” said Linux Foundation Training General Manager Clyde Seepersad. “These high-level efforts can only do so much though, so making it easier to train staff at all levels in security best practices is essential for ensuring all systems remain stable and secure.”
LFS216 is now available for enrollment for $199. In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Linux, through August 28, individuals may purchase a bundle including the new Linux Security Fundamentals course along with LFS201 – Essentials of System Administration, LFS211 – Linux Networking and Administration, and LFS265 – Software Defined Networking Fundamentals for only $250, a savings of 75%. This bundle will provide aspiring Linux system administrators with all the knowledge they need to start in the field, and prepare them for a Linux Foundation Certified Sysadmin exam.
