In this plan, let's assume that you already have some computer science skills (linux basics, common windows or mac os use, search on the internet, edit a file...).
But first, what is network security ? Network security includes all methods, both defensive and offensive, to protect and maintain functional a network.

This plan has several objectives, in short :

• Understand networks and how it works
• Common vulnerabilities and how to detect them
• How to remedy these vulnerabilities and secure your network

ToC

1. Network Fundamentals - 2 weeks
2. Network Defense - 2 weeks
3. Network Attacks and Analysis - 2 weeks
4. Wireless and Advanced Topics - 2 weeks
5. Resources

Network Fundamentals

Duration: 2 weeks

In this first part you will focus on learning the basics concepts of networks (architectures, protocols, OSI model).

Week 1-2: Core Concepts

1. OSI & TCP/IP Models: Understand layers and encapsulation.
2. Protocols: IP, TCP, UDP, ICMP, DNS, DHCP, HTTP/HTTPS, SSH.
3. Addressing: IPv4, IPv6, Subnetting, MAC addresses.
4. Routing & Switching: Basics of how data moves.

Resources:

• Networking for Ethical Hackers from The Cyber Mentor
• You Suck at Subnetting from NetworkChuck
• TryHackMe Pre-Security Path

Network Defense

Duration: 2 weeks

Learn how to protect and maintain a functional network.

Week 3-4: Defensive Technologies

1. Firewalls: Stateful vs Stateless, WAFs.
2. IDS/IPS: Snort, Suricata basics.
3. VPNs: Tunneling, IPsec, SSL VPNs.
4. Hardening: Port security, disabling unused services, segmentation (VLANs).

Resources:

• Blue Teaming and Network Defense Series from LoiLiangYang
• TryHackMe Network Security Module

Network Attacks and Analysis

Duration: 2 weeks

Understand common vulnerabilities and how to detect them.

Week 5-6: Offensive Concepts & Analysis

1. Scanning: Nmap, Masscan (Host discovery, port scanning).
2. Sniffing: Wireshark, tcpdump (Packet analysis).
3. Attacks: MITM, ARP Spoofing, DoS/DDoS, DNS Poisoning.
4. Tools: Netcat, Metasploit (basics).

Resources:

• TryHackMe Wireshark
• HakTip: Netcat

Wireless and Advanced Topics

Duration: 2 weeks

Expanding into wireless and more complex scenarios.

Week 7-8: Wireless & Beyond

1. Wireless Security: WEP, WPA2/WPA3, Handshakes, Aircrack-ng.
2. Network Architecture: DMZ, Bastion Hosts, Zero Trust basics.
3. Traffic Analysis: Identifying anomalies and malware traffic.

Resources:

• RootMe Network Challenges

Final advices :

To finish with this plan, as I said above, you should at least create free-accounts on platforms such as tryhackme or rootme. This is useful to learn cybersecurity and developp skills and knowledge.

You should create a github account too, to post code and projects about cybersecurity or whatever you want (if you don't code yet, please consider this other tryhackme module. After that, you will certainly find content on youtube to go further in programming, which is more than useful for cybersecurity.

A X(twitter) account can be useful too to keep informed of cybersecurity news and to build a reputation into the domain.

If you want to go deeper into monitoring, detection and incident response after Network Security, read the Blue Team, Detection & Response Study Plan.