Understanding the Java Virtual Machine: Security from Pluralsight

This course covers the details of code security explaining how the SecurityManager and the AccessController work together to grant permissions to code in the current call stack. We cover how to grant permissions based on policy and how to create your own permissions and also cover how to limit the stack walk so that privileged code can run.

Java security is built around the idea of permissions and policy. Code is granted permissions based on the currently in-force policy. In this course, we look at how the security manager and access controller work hand-in-hand to provide this security. The course covers how to set a security manager and how to set up and edit a policy file to grant the levels of permissions that code needs. Permissions are typically based on where code is loaded from but we also look at how to sign code, so that permissions can be based on who created a library. The course also looks at how the AccessController walk the call stack to check that a permission can be granted. While the JRE comes with a set of permissions, these are not always enough so the class covers creating and using your own permissions. Finally we cover the idea of 'privileged scope' which allows code to be granted some permission even when code around them should cause the grant to fail.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

Introduction

Running Code Securely

Privileged Scopes

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

This course is foundational in understanding security or Java, making it beginner-friendly

Suitable for Java learners in an academic setting

Explores nuanced concepts of Java security, aligning with industry best practices

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 Understanding the Java Virtual Machine: Security with these activities:

Read 'Java Security' by Scott Oaks

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This book provides a comprehensive guide to Java security, covering topics such as permissions, policies, and code security.

View Java Performance: In-Depth Advice for Tuning... on Amazon

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Order or borrow the book.
Read the book and take notes.
Complete the practice exercises in the book.

Create a course notebook

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Creating a course notebook will help you stay organized and keep track of your learning progress.

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Get a notebook or binder.
Divide the notebook into sections for each module or topic.
Take notes during lectures and while reading the course material.
Organize handouts, assignments, and other course materials in the notebook.

Join a study group

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Joining a study group will provide you with an opportunity to discuss the course material with other students and get help with difficult concepts.

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Find a study group that meets your schedule and learning style.
Attend study group meetings regularly.
Participate in discussions and ask questions.

Eight other activities

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Review security fundamentals

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Reviewing security fundamentals will provide a strong foundation for understanding the concepts covered in this course.

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Read through online resources on Java security fundamentals.
Go over your notes from previous courses on security or programming.
Complete practice exercises on security concepts.

Explore the Java Security Tutorial

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The Java Security Tutorial provides a comprehensive overview of Java security concepts and best practices. Exploring this tutorial will help you gain a deeper understanding of how to secure Java applications.

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Read the Java Security Tutorial.
Follow the examples in the tutorial to create secure Java programs.
Experiment with different security settings to see how they affect your programs.

Complete online tutorials

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Completing online tutorials will provide you with an opportunity to learn about specific security concepts in a structured and guided way.

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Search for online tutorials on relevant security topics.
Choose a tutorial that is appropriate for your skill level.
Follow the steps in the tutorial and complete the exercises.

Practice using the SecurityManager and AccessController API

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Practicing with the SecurityManager and AccessController API will help you build confidence using these tools and improve your understanding of how Java security works.

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Create a simple Java program that uses the SecurityManager and AccessController API to control access to resources.
Run the program and observe how the security manager and access controller affect the program's behavior.
Experiment with different security policy settings to see how they affect the program's behavior.

Create code examples

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Creating code examples will reinforce your understanding of how to apply security concepts in practice.

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Read the course material on code security.
Identify a security concept that you want to practice.
Write code that demonstrates the concept.
Test your code to ensure that it behaves as expected.

Attend a security workshop

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Attending a security workshop will provide you with an opportunity to learn from experts and network with other professionals in the field.

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Research security workshops that are relevant to your interests.
Register for a workshop.
Attend the workshop and participate in the activities.

Create a blog post or article about Java security

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Creating a blog post or article about Java security will help you solidify your understanding of the topic and share your knowledge with others. It will also give you an opportunity to get feedback from other developers and learn from their experiences.

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Choose a topic for your blog post or article.
Research the topic and gather information from reliable sources.
Write your blog post or article.
Publish your blog post or article and share it with others.

Design a security policy

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Designing a security policy will provide you with hands-on experience in applying the concepts covered in this course.

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Write the security policy.
Gather requirements for the security policy.
Identify the assets that need to be protected.
Define the roles and permissions that users will have.
Test the security policy.

Career center

Learners who complete Understanding the Java Virtual Machine: Security will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization's computer networks and systems. This course may be useful to this job because it teaches about the Java Virtual Machine's SecurityManager and AccessController, which work together to grant permissions to code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Computer Security Analyst

Computer Security Analysts keep computer networks and systems running safely and securely. This course may be useful to this job because it teaches how the Java Virtual Machine's SecurityManager and AccessController work together to provide security by granting permission to code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Security Analyst

Security Engineer

Security Engineers design, implement, and manage security controls to protect an organization's computer networks and systems. This course may be useful to this job because it teaches about the Java Virtual Machine's SecurityManager and AccessController, which work together to grant permissions to code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Engineer

Software Security Engineer

Software Security Engineers design, develop, and test software to ensure that it is secure. This course may be useful to this job because it teaches how the Java Virtual Machine's SecurityManager and AccessController can grant permission to code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Security Engineer

Cloud Security Engineer

Cloud Security Engineers design, implement, and manage security controls for cloud computing environments. This course may be useful to this job because it teaches how the Java Virtual Machine's SecurityManager and AccessController can grant security permissions to code.

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Security Architect

Security Architects design and implement security solutions for organizations. This course may be useful to this job because it teaches how the Java Virtual Machine's SecurityManager and AccessController can grant security permissions to code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Architect

IT Security Consultant

IT Security Consultants help organizations to develop and implement security strategies. This course may be useful to this job because it teaches how the Java Virtual Machine's SecurityManager and AccessController can grant security permissions to code.

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Systems Security Engineer

Systems Security Engineers design, implement, and manage security controls for computer systems. This course may be useful to this job because it teaches how the Java Virtual Machine's SecurityManager and AccessController can grant security permissions to code.

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Security Analyst

Security Analysts monitor and analyze security data to identify and mitigate threats. This course may be useful to this job because it teaches how the Java Virtual Machine's SecurityManager and AccessController can grant security permissions to code.

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Network Security Engineer

Network Security Engineers design, implement, and manage security controls for computer networks. This course may be useful to this job because it teaches how the Java Virtual Machine's SecurityManager and AccessController can grant security permissions to code.

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Security Researcher

Security Researchers investigate and develop new security technologies and techniques. This course may be useful to this job because it teaches how the Java Virtual Machine's SecurityManager and AccessController can grant security permissions to code.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve business problems. This course may be useful to this job because it teaches how the Java Virtual Machine's SecurityManager and AccessController can grant security permissions to code.

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Cybersecurity Engineer

Cybersecurity Engineers design, implement, and manage security controls to protect computer networks and systems from cyberattacks. This course may be useful to this job because it teaches how the Java Virtual Machine's SecurityManager and AccessController can grant security permissions to code.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and test software. This course may be useful to this job because it teaches how the Java Virtual Machine's SecurityManager and AccessController can grant security permissions to code.

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Web Developer

Web Developers design and develop websites. This course may be useful to this job because it teaches how the Java Virtual Machine's SecurityManager and AccessController can grant security permissions to code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer