Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/cloud-application-security
**Course Review: Cloud Application Security on Coursera** In today’s ever-evolving digital landscape, understanding the intricacies of cloud application security has become paramount for developers, security professionals, and anyone involved in the software development lifecycle. Coursera’s course titled **"Cloud Application Security"** offers comprehensive insights into the security vulnerabilities specific to cloud applications and equips learners with the necessary skills to mitigate them. ### Course Overview The course is designed to impart essential knowledge that will enable students to: - **List and Describe the OWASP Top 10 Vulnerabilities**: Gain a deep understanding of the most critical security risks that impact web applications hosted on the cloud. - **Cloud Security Assurance**: Learn methods to integrate security practices seamlessly within the development lifecycle, particularly in continuous delivery environments, ensuring that security is not an afterthought. - **Virtualization and Sandboxing Techniques**: Differentiate between various virtualization and sandboxing methods and understand how they can safeguard cloud applications, whether at the server or client side. - **Authentication and Federated Identity Solutions**: Explore the critical aspects of identity management and authentication factors that play a crucial role in securing cloud environments. ### Syllabus Breakdown The course is carefully structured into modules, each focusing on key aspects of application security in the cloud: #### 1. **Application Security Risks** This foundational module introduces learners to the OWASP Top Ten vulnerabilities, highlighting their relevance to cloud computing. It also provides background videos explaining packet network operations, setting the stage for further discussions on application security risks. #### 2. **Architecture and Authentication** This module dives into server architecture principles and offers a comprehensive overview of user authentication mechanisms. Understanding these elements is critical for designing secure cloud applications. #### 3. **Session Management** Focusing on the management of sessions, this section teaches students how to maintain application states across stateless transactions, such as HTTP or web APIs. Proper session management is crucial to prevent unauthorized access and enhance user experience. #### 4. **Providers, Crypto, and Scripts** This module addresses essential topics including provider trust, utilizing cryptography securely, and implementing security mechanisms to prevent script-based attacks. By covering these areas, it emphasizes the need for resilience against common threats that can compromise application integrity. ### Recommendations Having completed the "Cloud Application Security" course, I can confidently recommend it to individuals looking to deepen their understanding of cloud security principles. The course is tailored for both beginners and seasoned professionals who seek to enhance their skill set or shift their focus toward cloud security specialization. ### Why Take This Course? 1. **Relevance**: With cloud adoption accelerating across industries, this course tackles a topic that is increasingly significant in the software development sphere. 2. **Practical Skills**: Beyond theoretical knowledge, the course emphasizes applicable skills that can immediately be utilized in real-world scenarios. 3. **Expert Instruction**: The content is delivered by industry experts who provide insights based on practical experiences, ensuring learners have access to high-quality education. 4. **Flexibility**: As an online course offering, it allows for a flexible learning schedule, making it easier for professionals to balance their work commitments while gaining new knowledge. ### Conclusion In summary, Coursera’s "Cloud Application Security" course is an essential investment for anyone serious about securing cloud applications. The comprehensive curriculum, combined with the opportunity to learn from experts in the field, creates an invaluable learning experience. Whether you're a developer, a security analyst, or an IT professional, this course will arm you with the knowledge necessary to tackle the challenges of cloud security head-on. Enroll today and take a pivotal step toward becoming a proficient cloud security practitioner!
Application Security Risks
This module introduces the course and reviews OWASP "Top Ten" risks relevant to cloud computing. There are also background videos on packet network operation.
Architecture and AuthenticationA discussion of server architecture principles and survey of user authentication mechanisms.
Session ManagementThe session mechanism maintains application state across independent, stateless transactions via HTTP or a web API.
Providers, Crypto, and ScriptsThese videos cover additional topics: provider trust, using provider crypto, and security mechanisms for preventing script-based attacks.
After completing the course, the student should be able to do the following: ● List and describe the OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities. ● Identify methods to provide cloud security assurance as part of the development life cycle, e.g. in a continuous delivery environment. ● List and describe the different types of virtualization or sandboxing used to protect cloud applications at either the server or client. ● Describe the application of authentication factors and federated identity solutions in clou
Very Good Course to get a overall picture and be alert of most used and general Security issues and protections.
I really like the content and the way professor explained it and references to articles was very helpful.