Advanced System Security Topics

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/advanced-system-security-topics

Introduction

### Course Review: Advanced System Security Topics on Coursera In our increasingly digitized world, the significance of robust system security cannot be overstated. Organizations are continuously facing threats from various sources, making the need for informed and capable cybersecurity professionals essential. The Coursera course titled **“Advanced System Security Topics”** is designed to equip learners with advanced knowledge and practical skills in access control mechanisms and security techniques, making it an excellent choice for those looking to delve deeper into system security. #### Course Overview “Advanced System Security Topics” dives into the complexities of Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC), emphasizing policy specification and management in real-world systems. Throughout the course, students are introduced to modern systems like Docker and AWS IAM, which are pivotal in understanding how RBAC operates and is implemented in practice. The course also covers burgeoning topics such as XACML (eXtensible Access Control Markup Language) and innovative access management techniques, including the use of geoencryption and secure geolocation technologies. #### Syllabus Breakdown The course is divided into four comprehensive modules, each focusing on vital aspects of system security: 1. **Enhance Security with Geolocation** - This module explores geoencryption techniques that protect data encryption through geolocation controls. You’ll engage in an interactive web-based project that relies on the Google Map API and CryptoJS API, providing a hands-on experience in implementing secure geolocation solutions. 2. **Enhance Security with Network and Context Information** - Learners are introduced to methods of estimating user geolocation through WiFi and BLE signals. Furthermore, students investigate how Software Defined Networking (SDN) enhances data delivery security by ensuring packets traverse defined paths to reach their intended destinations. 3. **Authentication and Role-Based Access Control** - This segment of the course covers the full lifecycle of authentication, including types of credentials and the intricacies of the RBAC model. The use of Docker Universal Control Plane and AWS IAM highlights practical examples where RBAC efficiently manages access controls, streamlining security policies within organizational structures. 4. **Authorization and Attribute-Based Access Control** - Students delve into the intricacies of Privilege Management Infrastructure (PMI) and the implementation of XACML for policy specification. The comparison between PKI and PMI alongside the practical application of an ABAC system using Sun’s XACML 2.0 reference implementation serves to solidify the theoretical foundations with practical insights. #### Course Experience and Recommendations The **Advanced System Security Topics** course is well-structured, offering an engaging blend of theoretical content and practical application. The lectures are delivered by knowledgeable instructors who break down complex subjects into digestible lessons, making them accessible to learners of various levels. The interactive modules, especially the hands-on coding exercises, actively engage learners and reinforce understanding. This course is highly recommended for: - **Cybersecurity Professionals**: Those looking to enhance their expertise in advanced access control systems and secure data management protocols. - **IT Security Enthusiasts**: Individuals eager to understand the latest trends in digital security and policy management. - **Students of Computer Science**: University students wanting to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in their studies. In conclusion, if you are serious about elevating your understanding of system security and mastering advanced techniques in access control, the **Advanced System Security Topics** course on Coursera is an exceptional choice. It arms you with both theoretical knowledge and practical tools to tackle today’s security challenges effectively.

Syllabus

Enhance Security with Geolocation

In this module, we discuss the geoencryption techniques, the issues in the design and analysis of a Secure Enhanced Geolocking system for protected encrypted info with geolocking. We learn the web based implementation of an Secure Enhancing Geolocking system using Javascript with Google Map API and CryptoJS API.

In this module, we learn the techniques for using WiFi or BLE signals to estimate the geolocation of a user. We also show the technique where the value added Software Defined Network services can be used to ensure the data are delivered through a designated path to the right location.

In this module, we discuss the definition of the authentication, the types of authentication credentials, and the authentication process and related requirements. we learn the Role Based Access Control, short for RBAC, which is an security approach to restricting system access to authorized users and to help specify organization's security policies reflecting its organizational structure. We use Docker Universal Control Plan and AWS IAM access control as examples for illustrating how RBAC simplifies the access control specification and management.

In this module, we discuss PMI Privilege Management Infrastructure for managing the authorization of privileges within a system. We use attribute certificates as an instrument to associate access rights of the resources/services in the system to the identities or roles of the intended users of the system. We compare the differences between the PKI, the public key infrastructure which is focused on identity management, with the PMI which is focused on the management of the privileges authorized for users. We discuss their difference usages for the access control of the system. We then present the XACML, which is an eXtensible Access Control Markup Language (XACML) for specifying policies. It is an attribute-based access control system (ABAC), where attributes associated with a user or action or resource are inputs into the decision of whether a given user may access a given resource in a particular way. An implementation of ABAC system using Sun’s XACML 2.0 Java reference implementation called ENFORCE is then presented as an example.