[.ca] Inside Network Perimeter Security: The Definitive Guide ... (ISBN 0735712328)

From Amazon.co.uk:
The most practical, comprehensive solution to defending your network perimeter. Get expert insight from the industry's leading voices: Stephen Northcutt and the expertise of the SANS team. Inside Network Perimeter Security is a practical guide to designing, deploying, and maintaining network defences. It discusses perimeter components such as firewalls, VPNs, routers, and intrusion detection systems, and explains how to integrate them into a unified whole to meet real-world business requirements. The book consolidates the experience of seventeen information security professionals working together as a team of writers and reviewers. This is an excellent reference for those interested in examining best practices of perimeter defence and in expanding their knowledge of network security. Because the book was developed in close coordination with the SANS Institute, it is also a valuable supplementary resource for those pursuing the GIAC Certified Firewall Analyst (GCFW) certification.

Great book for Network Security:
There is serious shortage of security books that cover actual design and architechture. This is a book that fills the void. One of the great things about the book is that it's not partial to any particular vendor. It concentrates on the technology. This book offers sound security fundamentals. I would recommend that any new security personnel read this book. It provides a great roadmap for your security career.

Fairly decent but can be thinned out a bit:
Fairly decent overview of perimeter security. If your a security professional you may learn a thing or two, if your a network administrator and your idea of security is a firewall then this book is meant for you. Its a fairly easy read, but some of the examples of the commands to enter in configuring routers and hosts could be eliminated. I felt the author was just taking up space with these examples. (not a big deal but I'm taking a star away on principal) I also felt the author could have gone into a little be more detail in the VPN chapter, especially when dealing with encryption, PKI, and authenication which I felt was glossed over. (again not a big deal, but when you call yourself the definitive guide, be more definitive and save the 'commands' for the user guides")

Excellent Resource for Security Professionals:
This book is no doubt an excellent resource for security professionals, all chapters give very good info on Perimeter security. Good for those preparing for SANS GCFW Certification.

Excellent Network Security Book:
This is a very well written book by a group of very experienced practitioners and teachers. Each chapter reflects their experience and the SANS Institute's no-nonsense approach to teaching highly technical security subjects, making the book a worthwile read for security administrators, analysts and engineers. Every chapter starts with an introduction to the subject where general aspects are being highlighted in a way that they can be grasped by non-technical people too. From there the authors quickly jump to explaining the hard, technical details. Pros and cons of individual technologies are being discussed, giving expert opinion to those looking for help in deciding about technology choices. A summary, again readable by everybody and their manager closes each chapter. This is the first book I've seen that groups together and relates all subjects relevant to network perimeter defense. Well chosen diagrams and "real world stories" make it an enjoyable and entertaining read. Highly recommended.

An enormously important book for "putting it all together":
Excellent resource material for security professionals. Chapter 21 alone is worth the price of admission. Okay, every chapter alone is worth the price of admission. Like other titles from the SANS Institute, this book is highly informative & very readable. With the exeption of writing security policies, which one should know before implementing any security solution beyond using strong passwords, this book covers every area security professionals need to know about to effectively provide layered, defense in depth, solutions. While other books go into more detail on specific areas & technologies, this book does an excellent (and rare) job of covering how the pieces fit together. Thanks (again), Stephen & the folks from SANS! The rest of you should (literally) stop sitting there reading this review & buy it! Read it! Now!