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Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
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Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

International Training and Assistance (ITA)
for Bank Supervisors

Operating SystemsS.T.R.E.A.M/Technology Lab Courses - The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

Type of Participant Targeted

The Operating Systems course is a one-week course intended for examiners with IT examination responsibilities, but who may not have had university training in information technology. At least one year of field examination experience is preferred.

Prerequisites

None.

Course Overview

This course focuses on the security capabilities and limitations of computer operating systems (OS), including network OS, virtual machines, mobile device operating systems, the Microsoft OS family (including Windows 2008/2012 server, Windows desktop management), the UNIX/Linux operating system family, and IBM's AS/OS/400. Hands-on exercises use virtualized or native environments. Class activities include reviewing security parameters and permissions on various platforms.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the participant, at a minimum, will be able to

  • Describe the typical uses of different operating systems in the enterprise and how they interact with other components of an organization's core IT infrastructure
  • Perform fundamental system administration and audit operations
  • Reference U.S. supervisory agency examination work programs
  • Perform user administration, access control, auditing, and reporting on various operating systems

Post-Course Intervention

Participants should be provided with opportunities that allow them to identify security capabilities and limitations associated with OS within a financial institution. They should review security measurements and recommend proper security controls to protect various OS assets.

Learning Objectives

Participants build up a solid understanding of various OS functions, features, and their associated security risks through lectures and hands-on exercises. Furthermore, participants evaluate the OS and its security measurement by reviewing, auditing, reporting, and recommending proper security controls.

By module, the following learning objectives will be accomplished:

Module Learning Objectives
Operating Systems Overview
  • Identify the basics of operating systems
  • Enumerate the role operating systems play in information technology
  • Test the functionalities and characteristics of different operating systems
  • Identify five key elements that are common to every operating system
Unix/Linux
  • Explain features of Unix and Linux
  • Identify security strengths and weaknesses
  • Audit Unix and Linux
Windows Security and Controls
  • Explain Windows security concepts
  • Examine Windows elements, including Windows administrative tools, file systems, process management, registry management, performance monitoring, Microsoft Management Console, active directory, user management, group and share, group policy and account policy, audit, and various Window services
  • Examine Windows security controls, such as device hardening, security template, and encryption of file system
Virtual Machine
  • Gain basic understanding of virtual machine solutions
  • Explain features in virtualization player
  • Review virtualization vendors
Windows Desktop Management
  • Describe new options and features in Windows Desktop OSs
  • Explain new security applications
  • Consider migration impacts
Windows Servers
  • Review features in the latest Microsoft server 2008/2012
  • Identify new security controls and improvement in user interface
IBM OS/400
  • Inspect IBM OS and servers
  • Explain the management functions, such as log on, screen and operation navigation, and print
  • Examine system security values, password, user profiles, and group membership
Network Operating Systems
  • Explain features of network router, switch, and firewall
  • Understand roles of network devices and access control lists
  • Understand user creation, OS administration, maintenance, and audit
Apple Mac OS
  • Explain features and differences in OS X
  • Identify security strengths and weaknesses
Mobile OS
  • Explain features and differences in key mobile operating systems
  • Identify security strengths and weaknesses

Instructors

This course is developed and supported by a group of instructors with extensive examination experience and expertise in banking technologies. Instructors come from across the Federal Reserve System as well as other regulatory agencies and industry.

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Last update: February 2, 2017