Episode 39 — Computer Networking Foundations: OSI and TCP/IP Models for Security Thinking

This episode teaches networking fundamentals through the OSI and TCP/IP models, focusing on how layered communication helps you reason about where security controls operate and where attacks occur, which is CC-relevant knowledge. You will learn what each layer is responsible for and how data moves from an application down to the network and back, along with the practical meaning of encapsulation. We will discuss how common security tools map to layers, such as firewalls and filtering at network and transport levels, and how application-layer threats exploit higher-level protocols and services. You will practice translating a scenario into layers, for example identifying whether a problem is a physical connectivity issue, a routing issue, a port and transport issue, or an application protocol issue. Real-world troubleshooting considerations will include isolating the layer where failure occurs, understanding why a ping test does not prove an application is healthy, and recognizing how attackers exploit weak configurations at multiple layers. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com, where you’ll find more cyber audio courses, books, and information to strengthen your educational path. Also, if you want to stay up to date with the latest news, visit DailyCyber.News for a newsletter you can use, and a daily podcast you can commute with.