Software Security Testing from Coursera

Embark on a comprehensive learning journey that introduces you to the critical world of software security testing. The course begins with an insightful overview, ensuring you understand the roadmap ahead. You'll then dive into the practical aspects of environment setup, focusing on Kali Linux, a powerful tool for digital forensics and penetration testing. Understanding key terminologies will solidify your foundation, preparing you for the advanced concepts to come.

As you progress, you'll explore essential testing methodologies and standards, learning how they shape the software security landscape. The course emphasizes the continuous process of software testing, likening it to a strategic game where each test improves your skills. You'll gain hands-on experience and insights into making software security testing a seamless part of your professional practice.

The course culminates in an in-depth examination of software security testing as a process. You'll learn the nuances of different testing methodologies, understand the importance of continuous learning, and see how each test builds on the last. By the end of this course, you'll be well-equipped to tackle real-world security challenges, making significant contributions to your organization’s cybersecurity efforts.

This course is ideal for software developers, testers, and security professionals who wish to enhance their skills in software security testing. A basic understanding of software development and testing is recommended to fully benefit from the course.

What's inside

Syllabus

Foundations of Software Security Testing

In this module, we will lay the groundwork for your journey into software security testing. You'll begin with an introduction to the course, followed by setting up your testing environment with Kali Linux. We'll cover essential terminology, explore key methodologies and standards, and discuss the continuous process of software testing. By the end of this section, you'll have a solid foundation to build upon in the subsequent modules.

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what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Uses Kali Linux, a Debian-based distribution geared towards digital forensics and penetration testing, which is a valuable tool for security professionals

Explores HTTP protocol, encoding methods, and cryptography, which are essential for understanding web application security

Examines information gathering techniques, configuration management testing, and identity management, which are crucial for identifying vulnerabilities

Requires a basic understanding of software development and testing, suggesting it may not be suitable for complete beginners

Covers input validation and error handling vulnerabilities, which are common attack vectors in software applications

Teaches authorization testing and session management, which are critical for securing web applications and preventing unauthorized access

Reviews summary

Practical software security testing fundamentals

According to students, this course provides a solid foundation and is a largely positive introduction to software security testing. Learners particularly highlight the practical labs and demos, finding them essential for hands-on experience. The course covers key foundational topics like Kali Linux setup, HTTP basics, and common vulnerabilities. However, some students note that while the basics are well-covered, more advanced topics could benefit from greater depth. A few reviewers also mentioned potential challenges with environment setup.

Strong on basics, lighter on advanced topics.

"Good for beginners, but those with some background might find parts too introductory."

"While the initial topics were detailed, the advanced sections felt a bit rushed and could use more depth."

"I was hoping for more detailed coverage of certain advanced vulnerability types."

"The course gives a broad overview, but you'll need additional resources for deep dives into specific areas."

Covers current and important topics.

"The topics covered, like input validation and session management, are highly relevant to modern security."

"I found the sections on HTTP and encoding particularly useful for practical testing."

"Understanding the methodologies and standards discussed is crucial for this field."

"The course provides good insights into common attack vectors and testing techniques."

Great introduction to security testing.

"This course gave me an excellent starting point into the world of software security testing."

"It's a great overview for anyone new to the field or looking to understand the fundamentals."

"I feel I have a much better grasp of the basics after completing this course."

"The introductory modules laid a necessary foundation for the rest of the material."

Offers valuable hands-on testing experience.

"The hands-on exercises were incredibly useful and really helped solidify the concepts."

"I appreciated the practical labs using Kali Linux, it's the best way to learn security testing."

"Learning by doing the demos was a major plus; I could immediately apply what I learned."

"The practical sessions provided necessary experience I couldn't get from lectures alone."

Kali Linux setup might be tricky.

"Setting up the Kali environment required some troubleshooting, especially with VMs."

"Had a few issues getting the tools configured correctly, needed some external help."

"Make sure you have some basic Linux or VM experience before starting the setup."

"The setup part was the most challenging for me, but once done, the labs were fine."

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 Software Security Testing with these activities:

Review HTTP Protocol Fundamentals

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Reinforce your understanding of the HTTP protocol, which is crucial for web application security testing.

Browse courses on HTTP Protocol

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Read articles about HTTP methods and status codes.
Review the structure of HTTP requests and responses.
Practice analyzing HTTP traffic using a network sniffer.

Follow Kali Linux Tutorials

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Improve your proficiency with Kali Linux, a key tool for software security testing.

Browse courses on Kali Linux

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Find tutorials on using Kali Linux for penetration testing.
Follow the tutorials to learn how to use different security tools.
Practice using the tools on a test environment.

Read 'OWASP Testing Guide'

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Familiarize yourself with the OWASP testing methodology and best practices.

View CISO Survey and Report 2013 on Amazon

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Download the latest version of the OWASP Testing Guide.
Read the chapters related to the topics covered in the course.
Apply the testing techniques described in the guide to a sample web application.

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Read 'The Web Application Hacker's Handbook'

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Expand your knowledge of web application vulnerabilities and penetration testing techniques.

View Ethical Hacking and Web Hacking Handbook and... on Amazon

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Read the chapters related to the topics covered in the course.
Try out the examples and exercises provided in the book.
Research additional resources and tools mentioned in the book.

Create a Vulnerability Report Template

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Develop a standardized template for reporting security vulnerabilities found during testing.

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Research existing vulnerability report templates.
Design a template that includes key information, such as vulnerability description, impact, and remediation steps.
Test the template by using it to report a sample vulnerability.

Practice Input Validation Attacks

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Sharpen your skills in identifying and exploiting input validation vulnerabilities.

Browse courses on Input Validation

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Set up a vulnerable web application for testing.
Attempt various input validation attacks, such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting.
Analyze the application's response and identify the vulnerabilities.
Document your findings and propose remediation strategies.

Build a Simple Web Application Security Scanner

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Apply your knowledge to create a basic tool for automating web application security testing.

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Choose a programming language and framework.
Implement features for scanning common web application vulnerabilities.
Test the scanner against a vulnerable web application.
Refine the scanner based on the testing results.

Career center

Learners who complete Software Security Testing will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Application Security Engineer

An application security engineer is responsible for integrating security practices into the software development lifecycle. This course in software security testing directly helps this professional build the skills that they need. This course covers topics such as testing methodologies and standards, building a foundation to help the application security engineer implement robust security measures. By learning the testing process from start to finish, an application security engineer can better ensure the security of their organization's applications. Those aiming to become an application security engineer should take this course because it teaches the most practical aspects of their future job.

See salaries and explore the career path for Application Security Engineer

Vulnerability Analyst

A vulnerability analyst identifies and assesses security weaknesses in software and systems, and this course's content is highly relevant to this role. The course covers the process of software security testing, and teaches the practical use of tools like Kali Linux. The course teaches advanced testing methods, which helps analysts to discover more complex vulnerabilities. Anyone looking to become a vulnerability analyst will benefit greatly from the hands-on, practical approach this course offers as it can directly improve their understanding of the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Vulnerability Analyst

Penetration Tester

A penetration tester simulates cyberattacks on computer systems to identify security vulnerabilities, and this work ties directly into this course's content. Penetration testers use tools like Kali Linux, which a learner will set up in this course. The course covers many testing methodologies which are relevant to the role. A penetration tester will need to know how to investigate authentication and authorization, and this course covers this subject matter. The practical, hands-on skills and knowledge gained from learning about testing standards will help any aspiring penetration tester carry out their duties effectively.

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Security Analyst

A security analyst plays a vital role in protecting an organization's digital assets, which includes software. This professional works to identify vulnerabilities, assess risks, and implement security measures. The course's focus on testing methodologies and standards directly relates to the daily tasks of a security analyst. The hands-on experience with environment setup using Kali Linux, as well as the methods for security testing emphasized in the course, can help build a strong foundation for a successful career as a security analyst. Someone wishing to become a security analyst should take this course to learn the practicalities of security, going beyond mere theory.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Analyst

Cybersecurity Consultant

A cybersecurity consultant advises organizations on how to protect their systems and data against cyber threats. This course on software security testing can help them understand how to assess vulnerabilities in applications. The course covers crucial topics such as testing methodologies and standards, which are essential for providing effective security advice. The ability to set up a testing environment using Kali Linux, taught in this course, also gives a cybersecurity consultant a practical skill set. A cybersecurity consultant who wishes to gain a solid understanding of software security would benefit from this course.

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Software Developer

A software developer creates the code for applications, and they need to understand security practices. This course teaches them how the software they write can be tested for vulnerabilities. This course helps a software developer write more secure code by giving them insight into how testing is conducted, while teaching them about essential testing methodologies and standards. By learning about the process of software security testing as a whole, software developers can better create secure software. Any developer aiming to improve the security of their software should take this particular course.

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Incident Response Analyst

An incident response analyst is crucial to any security team. They handle security breaches and work to minimize the damage of cyberattacks. This course can help them better understand how attackers might target software vulnerabilities. The course's focus on testing methodologies assists them in identifying how an incident may have originated. Anyone looking to work in incident response can find that this course provides them with a strong foundation for their future work. It teaches the practical application of methodologies, which the incident response analyst needs to have to be successful.

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DevOps Engineer

A DevOps engineer works to streamline software development and deployment, which also means integrating security practices into this lifecycle. A DevOps engineer can incorporate secure coding practices in their workflow through the knowledge they gain on this course. The course explores security testing methodologies and standards that are relevant to this role. By studying the entire software security testing process, a DevOps engineer can better ensure software is secure. A DevOps engineer can become more effective by taking this course, particularly because it focuses on the practical aspects, rather than the theory of the field.

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Security Auditor

A security auditor evaluates systems and networks to ensure their compliance with security policies. This course is useful because it provides essential knowledge and skills related to software security testing. The focus on testing methodologies and standards directly aligns with the work that a security auditor performs, and can be used to further develop the auditor's skill set. The course's emphasis on continuous testing also aligns with the ongoing nature of security audits. Those looking to work as security auditors can use this course to build a helpful foundation for their work.

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Quality Assurance Engineer

A quality assurance engineer plays a crucial role in ensuring the reliability of a software application through testing. This course may be useful for a quality assurance engineer seeking to specialize in security. It goes into depth regarding testing methodologies and various security standards. The course's focus on a continuous testing process is beneficial for a quality assurance engineer, who is concerned with ensuring consistent, reliable outcomes. The hands-on approach of this course, especially the use of Kali Linux, will help a quality assurance engineer build a strong understanding of security practices.

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Information Security Manager

An information security manager is responsible for establishing and maintaining an organization's security policies and practices. This course may help those who are seeking to enter management as they will have a deeper understanding of security practices, including application security. The course will provide insights into testing methodologies and standards. The emphasis on the process of software security testing can help an information security manager appreciate the need for consistent, ongoing testing. An information security manager looking for a more technical understanding of security can find this course useful.

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Cloud Security Specialist

A cloud security specialist focuses on securing cloud-based systems, which often include software applications. This course on software security testing may be useful as cloud apps need to be regularly tested. The course teaches security testing standards, which aligns with the cloud security specialist's need to protect cloud assets. Learning the process of software security testing will help them better understand and mitigate cloud-specific vulnerabilities. A cloud security specialist hoping to deepen their understanding of application security should take this course.

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Systems Administrator

A systems administrator maintains and operates computer systems and ensures their smooth functioning. While this role may not focus specifically on security, learning about software security testing can help them better understand how to secure infrastructure. This course provides a relevant introduction to the methods and standards of testing. The systems administrator can help their company be more secure by understanding the process of software security testing. Those interested in understanding cybersecurity will find this course valuable.

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Network Engineer

A network engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing an organization's network infrastructure. While this course focuses on software specifically, learning the fundamentals of security testing can be beneficial for understanding overall security. The course covers security standards that are also useful when considering network security. While this course is not a perfect match, those interested in computer security may use it as a starting point to learn more about general security. The hands-on approach included in the course is also useful for developing practical skills.

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Technical Support Specialist

A technical support specialist provides assistance to users with software or technical issues. This role may not be directly related to security, but a broader understanding of computer security can help them better troubleshoot and understand problems they are facing. Studying the details of software security can help them better understand software, leading to a better experience for those they support. Learning the hands-on aspects of security may also help make them more well-rounded support professionals. While this role may not be a perfect fit, this course may be helpful to technical support professionals interested in security.

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Software Security Testing

What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Practical software security testing fundamentals

Activities

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