Secure Software Development: Implementation from edX

Modern software is under constant attack, but many software developers have never been told how to effectively counter those attacks. This course works to solve that problem, by explaining the fundamentals of developing secure software. Geared towards software developers, DevOps professionals, software engineers, web application developers, and others interested in learning how to develop secure software, this course focuses on practical steps that can be taken, even with limited resources to improve information security. This course will enable software developers to create and maintain systems that are much harder to successfully attack, reduce the damage when attacks are successful, and speed the response so that any latent vulnerabilities can be rapidly repaired.

This course focuses on key implementation issues: input validation (such as why allowlists should be used and not denylists), processing data securely, calling out to other programs, sending output, and error handling. It focuses on practical steps that you (as a developer) can take to counter the most common kinds of attacks.

This is the second of the three courses in the Secure Software Development Fundamentals Professional Certificate program, and was developed by the Open Source Security Foundation (OpenSSF), a project of the Linux Foundation focused on securing the open source ecosystem.

What's inside

Learning objective

Implementation: you’ll learn how to implement much more secure software. this includes how to do input validation, process data securely, call out to other programs, and send output. you’ll also learn about more specialized approaches, including some basics of cryptography and handling problems (such as error-handling code).

Syllabus

Welcome!

Chapter 1. Input Validation

Chapter 2. Processing Data Securely

Chapter 3. Calling Other Programs

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Teaches essential fundamentals of secure software development, including input validation, secure data processing, and more

Provides practical implementation steps that developers can take to improve information security

Emphasizes key implementation issues, focusing on how to counter common types of attacks

Suitable for software developers, DevOps professionals, and others interested in securing software

Covers specialized approaches such as basics of cryptography and error handling

Part of a three-course series in Secure Software Development Fundamentals, ensuring comprehensive coverage

Reviews summary

Practical secure software development

According to learners, this course offers a largely positive experience, providing practical implementation skills for secure software development. Students highlight the clear explanations of key concepts such as input validation, secure data processing, and error handling. It is widely regarded as offering essential foundational knowledge, making it highly relevant for professionals aiming to enhance their coding security. While most beneficial for those with some prior programming experience, some reviews indicate it might be less comprehensive for very advanced learners seeking deep dives into niche topics.

Provides strong basics, but not deep advanced topics.

"This course is a solid introduction to secure coding best practices."

"It lays a great foundation, but don't expect deep dives into every vulnerability type."

"For me, it covered the fundamentals well, though I wish there were more advanced examples."

Best for those with some programming background.

"It's definitely geared towards developers who already have some coding experience."

"As a software engineer, I found the pace and content perfectly suited for my background."

"Beginners without prior programming might find some parts challenging."

Strong emphasis on secure input handling.

"The chapters on input validation and allowlisting were particularly insightful and useful."

"I learned so much about proper input sanitization and why it's critical for security."

"The details on avoiding denylists for input validation were a key takeaway for me."

Concepts are explained clearly and concisely.

"The instructor did an excellent job explaining complex security concepts simply."

"I really appreciated how clear the lessons were, making it easy to follow along."

"The content breaks down secure development into understandable, bite-sized modules."

Focuses on real-world secure coding techniques.

"I found the techniques immediately applicable to my daily coding tasks."

"The course provides practical steps I can take to improve security in my projects."

"It emphasizes actionable strategies for secure software development, which is great."

Some desire more hands-on coding exercises.

"While the concepts are clear, I would have liked more practical coding challenges."

"More labs or coding assignments would really enhance the learning experience for me."

"The course is very theoretical at times; I learn best with more hands-on practice."

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 Secure Software Development: Implementation with these activities:

Create a collection of resources on secure software development

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Compiling a collection of resources will provide you with a valuable reference for future learning and development in secure software development.

Browse courses on Secure Software Development

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Identify different types of resources related to secure software development, such as articles, books, videos, and online courses
Gather and organize the resources in a central location, such as a shared folder or a note-taking app
Categorize the resources based on topic or relevance
Review the resources regularly and add new ones as needed

Review Bash and shell scripting basics

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Brushing up on the basics of Bash and shell scripting will make it easier to digest the concepts covered in this course.

Browse courses on Bash

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Review the official Bash documentation
Complete a few tutorials on shell scripting

Attend a local meetup for software developers

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Meeting other software developers and discussing security-related topics can provide valuable insights and perspectives.

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Find a local meetup group for software developers
Attend a meetup and introduce yourself to other attendees
Engage in discussions about secure software development

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Attend a workshop on a specific aspect of secure software development

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Attending a workshop will provide you with an in-depth understanding of a specific aspect of secure software development and allow you to learn from experts in the field.

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Identify a workshop that is relevant to your interests and learning goals
Register for the workshop and attend all sessions
Take notes and actively participate in discussions
Follow up with the workshop organizers or speakers if you have any questions or want to learn more

Complete a guided tutorial on a secure software development tool or framework

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Completing a guided tutorial will provide you with hands-on experience with a specific secure software development tool or framework and help you understand how to use it effectively.

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Identify a guided tutorial that is relevant to your interests and learning goals
Follow the steps in the tutorial carefully and complete all exercises
Experiment with the tool or framework on your own to gain a deeper understanding of its capabilities
Share your experience with others or write a blog post about the tool or framework

Solve coding challenges related to secure software development

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Solving coding challenges specific to secure software development will reinforce the concepts learned in the course and improve your problem-solving skills.

Browse courses on Coding Challenges

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Find a platform or website that offers coding challenges related to secure software development
Select a challenge and read the problem statement carefully
Develop a solution that meets the requirements of the challenge
Test and debug your solution

Create a blog post or article on a specific secure software development topic

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Writing about a secure software development topic will help you solidify your understanding of the concepts and share your knowledge with others.

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Choose a specific secure software development topic that you are interested in
Research the topic thoroughly and gather relevant information
Write a blog post or article that explains the topic in a clear and concise manner
Publish your blog post or article on a platform or website that is relevant to the topic

Mentor a junior software developer or student interested in secure software development

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Mentoring others will reinforce your understanding of secure software development concepts and allow you to share your knowledge with the next generation of developers.

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Identify a junior software developer or student who is interested in secure software development
Meet with the mentee regularly to discuss their progress and provide guidance
Review the mentee's code and provide feedback on their secure software development practices
Encourage the mentee to ask questions and participate in discussions

Career center

Learners who complete Secure Software Development: Implementation will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Software Developer

Software Developers are responsible for the design, development, and implementation of software applications and systems. They work with a variety of programming languages and tools to create software that meets the needs of users. This course can help Software Developers to improve their skills in secure software development, which is essential for protecting software from attacks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineers are responsible for bridging the gap between development and operations teams. They work to ensure that software is developed and deployed quickly and efficiently. This course can help DevOps Engineers to improve their skills in secure software development, which is essential for protecting software from attacks.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Web Application Developer

Web Application Developers are responsible for the design, development, and implementation of web applications. They work with a variety of programming languages and tools to create web applications that are secure and meet the needs of users. This course can help Web Application Developers to improve their skills in secure software development, which is essential for protecting web applications from attacks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Application Developer

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts are responsible for protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information systems. They work with a variety of tools and techniques to identify and mitigate security risks. This course can help Information Security Analysts to improve their skills in secure software development, which is essential for protecting information systems from attacks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Cybersecurity Engineer

Cybersecurity Engineers are responsible for designing and implementing security measures to protect computer networks and systems from attacks. They work with a variety of tools and techniques to identify and mitigate security risks. This course can help Cybersecurity Engineers to improve their skills in secure software development, which is essential for protecting computer networks and systems from attacks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Engineer

Security Architect

Security Architects are responsible for designing and implementing security architectures for organizations. They work with a variety of tools and techniques to identify and mitigate security risks. This course can help Security Architects to improve their skills in secure software development, which is essential for protecting organizations from attacks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Architect

Software Engineer

Software Engineers are responsible for the design, development, and implementation of software systems. They work with a variety of programming languages and tools to create software that meets the needs of users. This course can help Software Engineers to improve their skills in secure software development, which is essential for protecting software from attacks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Database Administrator

Database Administrators are responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of databases. They work with a variety of database management systems to ensure that databases are secure and meet the needs of users. This course can help Database Administrators to improve their skills in secure software development, which is essential for protecting databases from attacks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Cloud Security Engineer

Cloud Security Engineers are responsible for the design and implementation of security measures for cloud computing environments. They work with a variety of cloud computing platforms to ensure that cloud environments are secure and meet the needs of users. This course can help Cloud Security Engineers to improve their skills in secure software development, which is essential for protecting cloud environments from attacks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Security Engineer

Network Security Engineer

Network Security Engineers are responsible for the design and implementation of security measures for computer networks. They work with a variety of network security devices and tools to ensure that networks are secure and meet the needs of users. This course can help Network Security Engineers to improve their skills in secure software development, which is essential for protecting networks from attacks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Security Engineer

Vulnerability Researcher

Vulnerability Researchers are responsible for identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in software and systems. They work with a variety of tools and techniques to find and exploit vulnerabilities that can be used to attack systems. This course can help Vulnerability Researchers to improve their skills in secure software development, which is essential for protecting software and systems from attacks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Vulnerability Researcher

Ethical Hacker

Ethical Hackers are responsible for testing the security of computer networks and systems. They work with a variety of tools and techniques to find and exploit vulnerabilities that can be used to attack systems. This course may help Ethical Hackers to improve their skills in secure software development, which is beneficial for identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities in software and systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ethical Hacker

Incident Responder

Incident Responders are responsible for responding to security incidents. They work with a variety of tools and techniques to investigate and mitigate security incidents. This course may help Incident Responders to improve their skills in secure software development, which is beneficial for understanding how to prevent and mitigate security incidents.

See salaries and explore the career path for Incident Responder

Security Consultant

Security Consultants are responsible for providing security advice to organizations. They work with a variety of organizations to help them identify and mitigate security risks. This course may help Security Consultants to improve their skills in secure software development, which is beneficial for understanding how to protect software and systems from attacks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Consultant

Penetration Tester

Penetration Testers are responsible for testing the security of computer networks and systems. They work with a variety of tools and techniques to find and exploit vulnerabilities that can be used to attack systems. This course may help Penetration Testers to improve their skills in secure software development, which is beneficial for understanding how to prevent and mitigate vulnerabilities in software and systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Penetration Tester