Chapter 4 of 8 · ISC2 CISSP
Communication and Network Security
Secure network architecture, OSI and TCP/IP, segmentation, wireless and cellular, network components and secure channels.
- 3topics
- 10 minfast track
- 1diagrams and exhibits
- 13%of the exam
Topics in this chapter
Take them in order, or jump to the one you need.
- 1Network Models and Secure ProtocolsThe OSI and TCP/IP models, IPv4 and IPv6, secure protocol choices, converged protocols and typical attacks at each layer for the…3 min
- 2Segmentation, Wireless and Modern Network DesignsNetwork segmentation and micro-segmentation, screened subnets, wireless and cellular security, SDN, SD-WAN, VPCs, CDNs, edge…Diagram4 min
- 3Network Components and Secure ChannelsSecuring firewalls, proxies, IDS and IPS, transmission media, NAC and endpoints, plus secure remote access, voice and video, and…3 min
About this chapter
What this chapter covers
Communication and Network Security is worth 13 percent of the CISSP exam. It covers how networks are designed, built and operated so that data moves safely and only where it should.
It covers secure network architecture design (OSI and TCP/IP models, IPv4 and IPv6, secure protocols, converged protocols, micro-segmentation, edge networks, wireless and cellular networks, content distribution networks, software-defined networks, virtual private clouds, and monitoring and management), securing network components (infrastructure operation, transmission media, network access control, endpoint security) and implementing secure communication channels (voice, video and collaboration, remote access, data communications, third-party connectivity).
How the topics fit together
CISSP stays vendor-neutral. Questions describe a design need, such as limiting exposure of a database, securing branch internet access or connecting an acquired network, and ask for the best architecture.
For architecture questions, prefer designs that segment by trust, minimize what is exposed, encrypt across untrusted networks and keep policy central.
How to use these pages
Each topic page has the same shape, so you can skim for what you need.
- What it is: the idea in plain words.
- How it works: the mechanism, with tables and examples.
- What to remember for the exam: the facts to memorise and how questions are phrased.
- Common mistakes: the classic traps.
- Check yourself: three questions to test your understanding.
Ready for more practice?
The full ISC2 CISSP question bank has 1,113 questions, with timed practice exams and an explanation for every answer.
This study guide is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by ISC2. Vendor names, certification names and exam codes are trademarks of their respective owners and are used for identification only.