Secure your UNIX infrastructure: Develop system administration skills

OffSec Learning Path: UNIX System Administration Foundations

Unix-based systems are vital components of modern IT environments. This hands-on Learning Path will equip you with the essential skills to secure and harden your Unix infrastructure, significantly reducing your organization's risk profile. Learners will:

Configure UNIX securely, implementing industry-standard security settings and policies
Harden key applications by securing Nginx web servers
Manage effective patching strategies to promptly mitigate vulnerabilities

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One of three system administration Learning Paths

UNIX System Administration Foundations

Web System Administration Foundations

Windows System Administration Foundations

Protect UNIX environments by developing fundamental security expertise

This Learning Path strengthens UNIX system administration skills, with a direct focus on security. Learners will gain the ability to securely configure Debian and macOS, harden the nginx web server, utilize advanced security controls like SELinux and AppArmor, and implement effective patching strategies. These skills translate into greater resilience against attacks and a more secure UNIX environment.

Who are these Learning Paths for?

UNIX system administrators seeking to bolster their security skills
Security analysts specializing in the protection of UNIX environments
IT professionals responsible for securing UNIX-based infrastructure

Learning objectives

Understand UNIX security, and grasp key security concepts, vulnerabilities, and attack vectors
Learn to implement best practices for UNIX system hardening
Keep systems up-to-date and mitigate vulnerabilities by developing patching strategies

Key modules in UNIX System Administration Foundations Learning Path

Secure Configuration of Debian Part 1

Introduction to Operating system hardening, walkthrough of configurations that should be set or default features that should disabled or modified to harden base Debian operating system without directly impacting the operation of the server

Secure Configuration of Debian Part 2

Continuing the hardening of the Debian OS, walkthrough of configurations that should be set or default features that should disabled or modified to harden base Debian operating system without directly impacting the operation of the server

Secure Configuration of NGINX

This is a walk through the approach to hardening an Nginx web server aligned with the CIS Guideline on hardening. It covers the fullset of hardening recommendations

Patching Linux Assets

Introduction to Linux patching, including patch distribution and storage, setting up a local update repo and patching kernel and security vulnerabilities

Introduction to AppArmor

Module discusses some basics of AppArmor, primarily how to manually build a profile

Introduction to SELinux

Module covers most basic SELinux topics like booleans, context, manually generating a policy template, files relating to policy (.fc, .te, .sh, etc), macros, domains, and how to use audit logs manually to edit policy

Bash Scripting Basics

Introduction to Bash scripting, including variables, loops, branches and functions

View full syllabus

UNIX System Administration Foundations

modules

hours of content (approx.)

31+

skills

Earning an OffSec Learning Badge

Showcase your growing web administration proficiency! Upon completing 80% of the Web System Administration Foundations Learning Path, you'll receive an exclusive OffSec badge signifying:

Secure UNIX administration proficiency: Demonstrate your expertise in securing UNIX systems
Industry recognition: Adds a valuable OffSec credential to your skillset
Hands-on skill: Demonstrated ability to effectively implement Windows security measures and harden system attacks at the fundamental level