Identifying Security Vulnerabilities

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/identifying-security-vulnerabilities

Introduction

## Course Review: Identifying Security Vulnerabilities on Coursera In today’s digitally connected world, security is paramount. Every application we use carries the potential for vulnerabilities, making it essential for developers and tech professionals to understand how these weaknesses can be identified and mitigated. The “Identifying Security Vulnerabilities” course on Coursera stands out as an invaluable resource for anyone looking to fortify their understanding of secure programming practices. ### Course Overview The **“Identifying Security Vulnerabilities”** course is structured to provide learners with a solid foundation in the fundamental concepts of secure programming. It delves into critical areas such as **threat modeling**, **cryptography**, and the nuances of application vulnerabilities, particularly focusing on the exploitation of user-controlled data. ### Syllabus Breakdown The course is divided into four comprehensive modules, each covering key topics essential for any developer or tech enthusiast aiming at creating secure applications: 1. **Foundational Topics in Secure Programming**: - This module introduces fundamental concepts like threat modeling and applied cryptography. Learners will explore the STRIDE Method to identify different threats and understand trust boundaries. By the end of this section, you will possess foundational knowledge in using encryption techniques and secure hashing—a must for handling sensitive data securely. 2. **Injection Problems**: - Injection vulnerabilities are among the most common and dangerous exploits in web applications. This module comprehensively covers SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and command injection. The hands-on experience with the WebGoat application allows learners to practice identifying and exploiting these security flaws, ensuring you leave with practical knowledge on how to mitigate such vulnerabilities. 3. **Problems Arising From Broken Authentication**: - Authentication is a critical aspect of application security. In this module, participants evaluate systems to ensure they adhere to secure authentication and session management practices. By analyzing vulnerabilities in WebGoat's authentication methods, learners gain actionable insights into recognizing and fixing potential security flaws in real-world applications. 4. **Sensitive Data Exposure Problems**: - The final module focuses on best practices for managing sensitive information, particularly passwords. Participants will engage in hands-on coding assignments to solidify their understanding of secure password storage mechanisms. This unit emphasizes the importance of not storing plaintext passwords, a crucial lesson for anyone involved in backend development. ### Course Experience The course is designed to be engaging and interactive, with a blend of theoretical lessons and practical exercises. The use of the WebGoat application provides an excellent platform for learners to test their skills in a controlled environment, fostering a deeper understanding of how these vulnerabilities can be exploited and mitigated. The instructors are knowledgeable and articulate, guiding you through complex concepts in an understandable way. The course format, which allows for self-paced learning, adds to its appeal, making it suitable for both beginners and those with some background in programming. ### Recommendation I highly recommend the “Identifying Security Vulnerabilities” course on Coursera. Whether you're a seasoned developer looking to brush up on security practices or a newcomer wanting to learn the ropes of secure programming, this course has something to offer. By the end, you’ll be equipped not only with theoretical knowledge but with practical skills ready to be applied in real-world scenarios. In summary, investing your time in this course could be one of the best decisions you make for your programming career, aiding you in creating more secure applications and protecting user data against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats. Sign up today and take a significant step toward enhancing your programming security skills!

Syllabus

Foundational Topics in Secure Programming

In this module, you will gain exposure to the ideas of threat modeling and applied cryptography. By the end of the module, you will be able to start to create threat models, and think critically about the threat models created by other people. You will be able to apply the STRIDE Method to your threat model and distinguish the trust boundaries in a given system. You will also gain a basic understanding of applied cryptography, such as encryption and secure hashing.

By the end of this module, you will have a fundamental understanding of injection problems in web applications. You'll be able to discuss and describe the three most common types of injection problems: SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and command injection. In order to drive home these concepts, you will be able to work on exploiting a SQL injection vulnerability in the WebGoat application. You'll be able to formulate plans to mitigate injection problems in your applications.

By the end of this module, you will be able to evaluate a system to determine if it follows the generally prescribed secure methods for authentication and session management in web applications. You'll be able to distinguish the relationship between authentication, session management, and access control. You will also be able to exploit WebGoat's authentication and session management vulnerability. As well as be able to evaluate a system to determine if it performs sufficient security logging such that non-repudiation is enforced. This will help drive the concepts that you will learn in this module.

By the end of this module, you will understand how to effectively store password-related information, and NOT to store the actual plaintext passwords. You will also have a hands on coding assignment that will help you to better understand the mechanisms for effectively storing password-related information. Ready?