Cybersecurity Fundamentals
Construction of Secure Systems
About This Specialization
The Cybersecurity Specialization covers the fundamental concepts underlying the construction of secure systems, from the hardware to the software to the human-computer interface, with the use of cryptography to secure interactions. These concepts are illustrated with examples drawn from modern practice, and augmented with hands-on exercises involving relevant tools and techniques. Successful participants will develop a way of thinking that is security-oriented, better understanding how to think about adversaries and how to build systems that defend against them.
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5 courses
Follow the suggested order or choose your own.
Projects
Designed to help you practice and apply the skills you learn.
Certificates
Highlight your new skills on your resume or LinkedIn.
Courses
- Intermediate Specialization.
- Some related experience required.
COURSE 1
Usable Security
Current session: Sep 18 — Nov 13.- Commitment
- 7 weeks of study, 5-8 hours/week
- Subtitles
- English
About the Course
This course focuses on how to design and build secure systems with a human-centric focus. We will look at basic principles of human-computer interaction, and apply these insights to the design of secure systems with the goal of developing security measures that respect human performance and their goals within a system.You can choose to take this course only. Learn more.
COURSE 2
Software Security
Current session: Sep 18 — Nov 6.- Commitment
- 6 weeks of study, 3-5 hours/week
- Subtitles
- English, Korean
About the Course
This course we will explore the foundations of software security. We will consider important software vulnerabilities and attacks that exploit them -- such as buffer overflows, SQL injection, and session hijacking -- and we will consider defenses that prevent or mitigate these attacks, including advanced testing and program analysis techniques. Importantly, we take a "build security in" mentality, considering techniques at each phase of the development cycle that can be used to strengthen the security of software systems. Successful learners in this course typically have completed sophomore/junior-level undergraduate work in a technical field, have some familiarity with programming, ideally in C/C++ and one other "managed" program language (like ML or Java), and have prior exposure to algorithms. Students not familiar with these languages but with others can improve their skills through online web tutorials.You can choose to take this course only. Learn more.
COURSE 3
Cryptography
Upcoming session: Oct 2 — Nov 27.- Commitment
- 7 weeks of study, 4-7 hours/week
- Subtitles
- English
About the Course
This course will introduce you to the foundations of modern cryptography, with an eye toward practical applications.You can choose to take this course only. Learn more.
COURSE 4
Hardware Security
Upcoming session: Sep 25 — Nov 20.- Subtitles
- English
About the Course
In this course, we will study security and trust from the hardware perspective. Upon completing the course, students will understand the vulnerabilities in current digital system design flow and the physical attacks to these systems. They will learn that security starts from hardware design and be familiar with the tools and skills to build secure and trusted hardware.You can choose to take this course only. Learn more.
COURSE 5
Cybersecurity Capstone Project
Starts September 5- Subtitles
- English
About the Capstone Project
This course presents an intensive experience during which students build a software system they intend to be secure, and then attempt to show that other students' projects are insecure, by finding flaws in them.You can choose to take this course only. Learn more.
Creators
Michael Hicks
Professor
Jennifer Golbeck
Director
Gang Qu
Associate Professor
Jonathan Katz
Professor, University of Maryland, and Director, Maryland Cybersecurity Center
FAQs
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
