Practical Network Security with OpenSSL

Gain practical OpenSSL skills for real-world cybersecurity challenges

Key Features
● Master OpenSSL’s command-line tools and C APIs to build secure and practical cryptographic applications.
● Gain a complete understanding of cryptography from foundational theory to advanced hardware integration with OpenSSL Engines.
● Apply your OpenSSL knowledge to real-world use cases including IoT security PKI setup and secure communications.

Book Description
OpenSSL is the backbone of secure communication on the internet, trusted by developers, enterprises, and governments alike. Practical Network Security with OpenSSL equips you with the knowledge, real-world context, and hands-on skills to master OpenSSL—from its command-line tools to its C library APIs—for implementing robust, enterprise-grade cryptographic solutions.

You’ll begin with a solid foundation in cryptographic principles and the role of OpenSSL in modern security systems. The book then guides you through practical usage, covering symmetric and asymmetric encryption, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), and secure communications. Real-world examples and C code snippets help you confidently apply OpenSSL in standalone applications, enterprise-grade solutions, and hardware-based security environments such as HSMs and TPMs.

By the end of this book, you’ll have the expertise to confidently use OpenSSL for designing, implementing, and managing cryptographic solutions across various domains. Whether you're securing financial transactions, IoT networks, or enterprise authentication systems, you’ll be equipped with the tools and knowledge to build secure, future-ready applications. Don’t get left behind—secure your systems like the pros do with OpenSSL mastery.

What you will learn
● Understand core cryptographic concepts essential to modern network security.
● Use OpenSSL’s CLI tools to generate keys, certificates, and secure communications.
● Leverage OpenSSL C library APIs to integrate cryptographic functions into software.
● Set up and manage Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) using OpenSSL.
● Implement secure hardware integrations and apply OpenSSL in IoT and embedded environments.

Who is this book for?
This book is tailored for software developers, system administrators, and cybersecurity professionals who want to gain hands-on expertise with OpenSSL. A basic understanding of networking, Linux command-line tools, and C programming will help readers get the most out of the practical examples and advanced implementations covered.

1. Cryptography Basics and Network Security
2. Getting started with OpenSSL
3. OpenSSL Command Line Interface
4. OpenSSL C library APIs
5. Public Key Infrastructure with OpenSSL
6. Symmetric Key Cryptography with OpenSSL
7. OpenSSL Engine for Security Hardware
8. OpenSSL in IoT Security
9. Best Practices, Tips, and Tricks
Index

Rohan Subhash Patil is a Staff Software Engineer at Tarana Wireless, specializing in software development and security implementations. With over twenty years of experience in embedded systems, networking, and security, he has contributed to building robust and secure communication systems across various industries.

Academically, he holds an MTech in Software Systems from BITS Pilani (WILP) and a BE in Electronics from SGGS Nanded. His areas of expertise include network protocol development, cryptographic security implementations, and system Optimization.

At Tarana Wireless, Rohan led security and network software development for next-gen products, working on PKI certificate management, TPM integration using OpenSSL, 802.1x, and AAA protocols for Tarana G1 devices. Previously, at Cisco Systems, he tackled L2/L3 protocol challenges for UCS products. At QLogic India, he ensured Converged Network Adapters met RFC standards and optimized performance. He also has experience in embedded software development across various processors and microcontrollers.

Skilled in C and C++, Rohan has authored design documents and developer guides, led technical sessions, and provided mentorship to engineers. He has also spearheaded technical interviews, leveraging his expertise to guide emerging Talent.

Outside of work, Rohan enjoys folk music and plays percussion instruments such as the cajón, daphali, and dimdi. He is also passionate about birdwatching and exploring nature with his son.

Driven by a passion for cybersecurity, Rohan continuously pushes the boundaries of innovation in secure, high-performance systems.

ABOUT TECHNICAL REVIEWER

Naveen Kumar Chandrasekar has five years of experience in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) domain, specializing in optimizing business processes through strategic technological solutions. With expertise in Unix/Linux and Windows environments, Naveen is skilled at implementing robust security measures and managing diverse systems. He excels in database operations, API testing, and middleware technologies, ensuring seamless integration and reliable communication across platforms.

Currently, Naveen works as a Senior Engineer in WSO2, where he contributes to enhancing system performance and security. He is passionate about leveraging his technical expertise to drive business value and is eager to take on new challenges in reputable organizations.