Blockchain Security - Intermediate Practices from Coursera

This course is intended for blockchain innovators, developers, security analysts, and business leaders seeking to build or enhance secure blockchain networks. With Blockchain Security Foundational Concepts, as its muse, the Blockchain Security Intermediate Practices course journeys through uncharted realms of blockchain exploration, thrilling, intricate, and alluring. Advanced security practices, cryptography, consensus models, and network security are woven together in a harmonious ballet, punctuated by real-world case studies. This course is more than an intellectual dance; it's a challenge and an awakening to the sublime world of blockchain security.

Upon completing the course, learners will understand the complexity of cryptographic techniques including has functions and public key cryptography. Learners will also be able to engage with the blockchain security mechanisms, PoW and PoS, safeguard users and nodes, and analyze case studies.

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome & Module 1: Securing Blockchain Networks

Welcome to Blockchain Security Intermediate Practices! Unveil the keys to the digital fortress that is the blockchain network. This module acquaints you with the high art of defending the blockchain's foundational layers—because even the most avant-garde systems must stand on secure ground. Topics include network encryption, node security, and the intricacies of guarding against Sybil attacks.

Module 2: Introduction to Smart Contract Security

This module serves as an introduction to the security considerations that are unique to smart contracts in blockchain systems. It aims to equip learners with the principles of secure smart contract development, including best practices for auditing. Emphasis will be placed on balancing contract functionality with security requirements.

Module 3: Programming Vulnerabilities

This module addresses the general vulnerabilities commonly encountered in programming practices and specifically targets their implications in the realm of blockchain. Topics covered will include arithmetic vulnerabilities, dependencies on external libraries, and issues arising from Right-to-Left Control, among others.

Module 4: Blockchain Specific Vulnerabilities

This module delves into the vulnerabilities that are specific to blockchain technologies. It discusses unique threat vectors such as access control vulnerabilities, denial-of-service attacks, frontrunning, and more. The module aims to equip learners with specialized knowledge to build secure, blockchain-specific architectures.

Module 5: Ethereum Specific Vulnerabilities

The focus of this module is on vulnerabilities that are particular to Ethereum, one of the most widely used blockchain platforms. Topics will include, but are not limited to, vulnerabilities arising from block gas limits, forced sending of Ether, and unchecked return values. Special attention will be given to Ethereum's specific architecture and its associated security considerations.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a deep dive into specific blockchain concepts, addressing technical intricacies with advanced practices in security

Examines fundamental security concepts, building a strong foundation for understanding blockchain security

Delves into real-world case studies, enabling learners to apply concepts in practical settings

Addresses specific vulnerabilities and threats encountered in blockchain systems, empowering learners to safeguard their networks

Emphasizes practices for securing smart contracts, addressing unique considerations and best practices

Taught by Howard Poston, an established expert in blockchain security, providing valuable insights and industry knowledge

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Blockchain Security - Intermediate Practices with these activities:

Review Blockchain Security Concepts

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Strengthen your foundation in blockchain security principles.

Browse courses on Blockchain Security

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Revisit course materials and notes from previous lectures.
Review online articles, blogs, and videos on blockchain security concepts.
Take practice quizzes or mock exams to assess your understanding.

Review Applied Cryptography by Bruce Schneier

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Gain foundational knowledge in cryptography, a vital aspect of blockchain security.

View Applied Cryptography: Protocols, Algorithms and... on Amazon

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Read each chapter thoroughly.
Take notes on key concepts and algorithms.
Attempt the end-of-chapter exercises.

Attend Blockchain Security Conferences and Meetups

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Connect with experts, expand your knowledge, and stay updated on industry trends.

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Research and identify upcoming blockchain security conferences and meetups.
Register and attend these events.
Actively participate in discussions and engage with speakers and attendees.

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Form a Study Group with Fellow Students

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Enhance your understanding through discussions and shared insights.

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Identify fellow students who are also enrolled in the course.
Organize regular study sessions to discuss course material and complete assignments.
Facilitate discussions, share perspectives, and actively engage with group members.

Complete interactive security workshops and tutorials

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Complement your theoretical knowledge by completing interactive workshops and tutorials that demonstrate practical security techniques and tools in action.

Browse courses on Security Best Practices

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Identify a reputable platform offering blockchain security workshops or tutorials.
Select a workshop or tutorial that aligns with your learning goals.
Follow the instructions and complete the exercises thoroughly.

Follow Tutorials on Ethereum Smart Contract Development

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Gain practical skills in developing and deploying smart contracts.

Browse courses on Smart Contracts

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Identify reputable tutorials on Ethereum smart contract development.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step, creating and testing your own contracts.
Debug and optimize your contracts to enhance their security and efficiency.

Create a Proof of Work (PoW) Blockchain Simulation

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Build a practical understanding of PoW, a fundamental blockchain consensus mechanism.

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Research the principles and implementation of PoW.
Design and implement a simple PoW blockchain model.
Simulate the mining process and validate block creation.
Analyze the performance and challenges of your implementation.

Practice solving cryptography and security puzzles

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Practice solving cryptography and security puzzles to strengthen your understanding of cryptographic techniques and security mechanisms.

Browse courses on Cryptography

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Find a collection of cryptography and security puzzles online or in textbooks.
Set aside dedicated time each week or month to solve a few puzzles.
Discuss your solutions with peers or instructors to gain feedback and learn from others' approaches.

Implement Cryptography Algorithms

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Strengthen your practical skills in cryptography by implementing various encryption algorithms in a programming language.

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Select a programming language and familiarize yourself with its cryptography library.
Implement common encryption algorithms such as AES, RSA, and SHA-256.
Test and validate the implementations using sample data.
Experiment with different key sizes and modes of operation to understand their impact on security.

Participate in Blockchain Security Hackathons

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Test your skills, collaborate with others, and contribute to innovative solutions.

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Research and identify blockchain security hackathons that align with your interests.
Form a team or join an existing one to participate in the hackathon.
Develop a solution that addresses a specific blockchain security challenge.
Present your solution to a panel of judges and receive feedback.

Write a Whitepaper on Smart Contract Security Best Practices

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Enhance your understanding of smart contract security and share your insights with the community.

Browse courses on Smart Contracts

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Research common smart contract vulnerabilities.
Identify and analyze best practices for mitigating these vulnerabilities.
Write a comprehensive whitepaper outlining your findings.
Share your whitepaper on relevant platforms or submit it for publication.

Write a detailed blog post discussing a specific blockchain security topic

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Reinforce your understanding and share your knowledge by creating a comprehensive blog post that explores a specific blockchain security topic in depth.

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Choose a specific blockchain security topic that you are passionate about or that you find particularly challenging.
Research the topic thoroughly, gathering information from reputable sources such as academic papers, industry reports, and online resources.
Organize your thoughts and develop a clear outline for your blog post.
Write your blog post, ensuring that you provide clear explanations, include relevant examples and case studies, and address any potential counterarguments.
Proofread and edit your blog post carefully before publishing it on your chosen platform.

Develop a security plan for a blockchain network

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Test your skills and apply your knowledge by designing a security plan for a blockchain network, considering different security threats and mitigation strategies.

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Define the scope of the blockchain network and its security requirements.
Identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities based on the specific characteristics and architecture of the blockchain network.
Develop a comprehensive security plan that addresses the identified threats and vulnerabilities, including preventive measures, detection mechanisms, and incident response procedures.
Document your security plan clearly and thoroughly.

Career center

Learners who complete Blockchain Security - Intermediate Practices will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Blockchain Developer

As a Blockchain Developer, you will secure the technological foundation of blockchain networks. This course will help build a foundation in advanced security practices, cryptography, consensus models, and network security. This knowledge, coupled with expertise in programming and distributed systems, will prove invaluable as you safeguard user data and assets on the blockchain.

See salaries and explore the career path for Blockchain Developer

Security Analyst

As a Security Analyst, you will be on the front lines of protecting blockchain networks and ecosystems. A key component of blockchain security is an understanding of the protocols, algorithms, and techniques used to safeguard blockchain data and transactions. This course will provide you with a strong foundation in these concepts, enabling you to contribute effectively to the development and implementation of blockchain security solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Analyst

Information Security Analyst

Blockchain technology introduces unique challenges and vulnerabilities to the field of information security. As an Information Security Analyst specializing in blockchain, you will need to stay abreast of the latest security practices and threats specific to blockchain networks. This course will equip you with an understanding of cryptographic techniques, consensus models, and network security measures used in blockchain systems, enhancing your ability to protect against cyber threats and ensure the integrity of blockchain-based applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Blockchain Architect

Blockchain Architects play a vital role in designing and implementing secure blockchain solutions. This course will equip you with an understanding of blockchain security mechanisms, including Proof-of-Work (PoW) and Proof-of-Stake (PoS), as well as best practices for ensuring the security of blockchain networks and applications. By mastering these concepts, you can effectively contribute to the development of robust and resilient blockchain solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Blockchain Architect

Blockchain Auditor

Blockchain Auditors provide independent assessments of the security and integrity of blockchain networks and applications. To succeed in this role, you need a comprehensive understanding of blockchain security practices and techniques. This course will provide you with a strong foundation in cryptographic techniques, consensus models, and network security measures used in blockchain systems, preparing you to effectively evaluate and report on the security posture of blockchain solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Blockchain Auditor

Smart Contract Developer

As a Smart Contract Developer, you will be responsible for creating secure and reliable smart contracts that form the backbone of blockchain applications. By taking this course, you will gain a deep understanding of the security considerations and vulnerabilities associated with smart contract development. You will learn best practices for auditing and securing smart contracts, enabling you to build robust and trustworthy blockchain applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Smart Contract Developer

Network Security Engineer

Network Security Engineers are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining the security of computer networks. With the increasing adoption of blockchain technology, network security engineers with expertise in blockchain security are in high demand. This course will help you build a solid foundation in blockchain security concepts, including network encryption, node security, and Sybil attack prevention. By mastering these concepts, you can effectively contribute to the development and implementation of secure blockchain network architectures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Security Engineer

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

CISOs are responsible for developing and implementing an organization's overall security strategy and vision. As blockchain technology becomes more prevalent, CISOs will need to stay abreast of the latest security trends and challenges in blockchain systems. This course will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of blockchain security concepts, including advanced security practices, cryptography, consensus models, and network security, empowering you to make informed decisions and effectively lead your organization's blockchain security strategy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Security Manager

Security Managers oversee the security posture of organizations, including the implementation and management of security policies, procedures, and technologies. As blockchain technology becomes more widely adopted, security managers will need to understand the unique security considerations and challenges of blockchain systems. This course will provide you with a comprehensive overview of blockchain security practices, including cryptographic techniques, consensus models, and network security measures, enabling you to effectively manage the security of blockchain-based applications and ecosystems within your organization.

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Cryptographer

Cryptography plays a central role in blockchain security. As a Cryptographer specializing in blockchain, you will be responsible for designing and analyzing cryptographic algorithms and protocols to secure blockchain networks and applications. This course will provide you with a deep understanding of the cryptographic techniques used in blockchain systems, such as hash functions, public key cryptography, and digital signatures, empowering you to contribute to the development of innovative and secure blockchain solutions.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data analysis techniques to extract valuable insights and patterns from data. With the growing adoption of blockchain technology, data scientists with expertise in blockchain data analysis are in increasing demand. By completing this course, you will gain proficiency in working with blockchain data and applying data analysis techniques to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies in blockchain networks. This knowledge will enable you to contribute to the development of data-driven solutions for blockchain security and risk management.

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Full-Stack Developer

Full Stack Developers are responsible for both the front-end and back-end development of web applications. With the increasing popularity of blockchain technology, full stack developers with expertise in blockchain development are in high demand. By taking this course, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of blockchain security practices and techniques. This knowledge, coupled with your full stack development skills, will enable you to build secure and reliable blockchain-based applications.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. With the growing adoption of blockchain technology, software engineers with expertise in blockchain development are in high demand. This course will help you build a solid foundation in blockchain security concepts and best practices. By mastering these concepts, you can effectively contribute to the development and implementation of secure blockchain-based applications and solutions.

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DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineers bridge the gap between development and operations teams, ensuring the smooth and efficient delivery of software applications. With the increasing adoption of blockchain technology, DevOps engineers with expertise in blockchain are in high demand. This course will provide you with a practical understanding of blockchain security considerations and best practices. By gaining this knowledge, you can effectively contribute to the development and implementation of secure and reliable blockchain-based applications and solutions.

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Software Architect

Software Architects design and develop the overall architecture of software systems. With the growing adoption of blockchain technology, software architects with expertise in blockchain are in high demand. By completing this course, you will gain a deep understanding of blockchain security principles and best practices. This knowledge will enable you to design and develop secure and scalable blockchain-based solutions, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and applications on the blockchain.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Architect