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Greg Williams
I’ve heard this before – “I’m not sure my computer security practices are working”. I reply “Have you tested them?” This course is the fourth and final course in the Practical Computer Security specialization. In this course, you’ll learn how to proactively test what you have put in place to protect your data. In the first week you’ll be able to discuss the basics of deterrents and how to “trick” attackers into believing they’ve hit a goldmine of data away from your real systems. In week 2, you’ll be able to understand and discuss the steps of penetration testing methodology. In week 3, you will be able to understand and apply what you have learned on your own systems to test whether your systems are secure or not. In week 4, we’ll discuss planning for your own methodology that you can apply to your own systems. And finally in week 5, we’ll finish up with a project that will allow you to test your skills in a safe environment.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/be6v57/proactive
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What's inside
Syllabus
Information Sharing and Threat Intelligence
This module covers information sharing. Information sharing is an important tool to help organizations gather information from others so they can protect themselves.
Read more
Syllabus
Information Sharing and Threat Intelligence
This module covers information sharing. Information sharing is an important tool to help organizations gather information from others so they can protect themselves.
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Explores information sharing, which is standard practice in proactive information security
Explores the methodology used to conduct penetration testing
Teaches learners to detect potential security weaknesses in their own systems
Requires students to have a strong understanding of computer security concepts
Provides a comprehensive overview of proactive computer security management
Includes a hands-on project that allows students to apply their learning
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Create your own learning path.
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Reviews summary
Practical proactive security testing
According to learners, this course, the final part of a specialization, provides a foundational look at proactive computer security testing. It covers penetration testing methodology and common tools. The course project focused on OWASP Top 20 exploits is a notable feature, offering hands-on experience, though some students may find it challenging. The course also touches on information sharing and legal considerations. While it aims to provide practical skills, some learners suggest that the lectures may lack depth for those with prior experience, requiring supplementary study or strong prerequisites.
Covers management and legal aspects of security.
"The module on legal issues and planning was a necessary addition."
"It was interesting to learn about the management side of proactive security."
"This part provided context beyond just the technical aspects."
Introduces some widely used security testing tools.
"Getting exposed to common pen testing tools was a good starting point."
"The course mentions tools that are relevant in the industry."
"Familiarity with the tools discussed is helpful for the project."
Learn steps for structured security testing.
"Understanding the penetration testing methodology outlined was very helpful."
"The course clearly laid out the phases of a pen test, which is crucial."
"It gave me a good framework for approaching security assessments."
The project provides valuable practical experience.
"The final project focusing on OWASP Top 20 was incredibly useful for applying concepts."
"I really appreciated the hands-on nature of the project where I could test my skills."
"The project environment allowed me to safely experiment with exploits discussed in the course."
Some lectures may feel too basic or high-level.
"While the overview is good, some topics could use more in-depth coverage."
"I sometimes felt the lectures were a bit superficial compared to the project demands."
"Needed to do external research to fully grasp some concepts introduced in lectures."
Course assumes prior knowledge or specialization completion.
"This course builds heavily on the previous ones in the specialization; don't skip them."
"You definitely need a solid foundation before taking this class."
"Learners without prior security knowledge might find parts difficult to follow."
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 Proactive Computer Security with these
activities:
Review networking concepts
Show steps
Reinforce your understanding of networking fundamentals, ensuring you have a strong foundation for comprehending advanced pen testing techniques that involve network analysis and exploitation.
Browse courses on
Networking
Show steps
-
Review basic networking concepts such as IP addressing, subnetting, and routing
-
Practice network troubleshooting and configuration
-
Use online resources and tutorials to refresh your knowledge
-
Complete practice exercises or quizzes
-
Discuss networking concepts with peers or mentors
Form a study group with fellow students
Show steps
Collaborate with peers to reinforce concepts, discuss case studies, and share insights, fostering a supportive learning environment that enhances your understanding of penetration testing.
Show steps
-
Reach out to classmates or join online forums
-
Establish regular meeting times and schedules
-
Create a shared document or workspace for notes and resources
-
Take turns presenting on different topics
-
Provide constructive feedback and support to each other
Compile a resource list for penetration testers
Show steps
Build a valuable repository of tools, techniques, and resources specifically tailored to penetration testing, providing you with quick access to the information you need when conducting assessments.
Show steps
-
Research and identify reputable sources of information
-
Categorize and organize resources based on topic or tool type
-
Include a variety of resources such as articles, tutorials, videos, and tools
-
Document the resources and share them with others
-
Regularly update the compilation with new and relevant resources
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Follow along with a penetration testing tutorial
Show steps
Gain hands-on experience by following step-by-step instructions from industry experts, reinforcing your knowledge of the pen testing process.
Show steps
-
Find a reputable tutorial that aligns with your skill level
-
Set up the necessary tools and environment
-
Follow the tutorial steps carefully and take notes
-
Experiment with different techniques and scenarios
-
Share your learnings and ask questions in online forums
Test your skills with OWASP Top 20
Show steps
Practice identifying and exploiting common web application vulnerabilities to solidify your understanding of penetration testing methodology.
Show steps
-
Familiarize yourself with the OWASP Top 20
-
Set up a test environment
-
Test for vulnerabilities using common tools and techniques
-
Analyze results and identify potential risks
-
Develop mitigation strategies
Design and implement a security assessment plan
Show steps
Apply your knowledge of penetration testing methodologies to develop a comprehensive security assessment plan, enhancing your ability to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities in real-world scenarios.
Show steps
-
Define the scope and objectives of the assessment
-
Gather information about the target systems and network
-
Select and prioritize appropriate pen testing techniques
-
Execute the assessment and document the findings
-
Analyze the results and provide recommendations for remediation
Build your own penetration testing toolkit
Show steps
Enhance your practical skills by creating a customized toolkit tailored to your specific needs, ensuring you have the right tools for the job when conducting pen tests.
Show steps
-
Research and identify essential tools for each stage of the pen testing process
-
Download, install, and configure the selected tools
-
Create custom scripts or plugins to automate tasks
-
Organize and document your toolkit for easy reference
-
Test and evaluate the effectiveness of your toolkit
Contribute to an open-source pen testing project
Show steps
Gain real-world experience by contributing to the development and maintenance of open-source pen testing tools, enhancing your technical skills and understanding of the community.
Show steps
-
Identify an open-source pen testing project that aligns with your interests
-
Review the project documentation and codebase
-
Identify areas where you can contribute
-
Submit bug reports, feature requests, or code patches
-
Engage with the project community and seek mentorship
Review networking concepts
Show steps
Reinforce your understanding of networking fundamentals, ensuring you have a strong foundation for comprehending advanced pen testing techniques that involve network analysis and exploitation.
Browse courses on
Networking
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review basic networking concepts such as IP addressing, subnetting, and routing
- Practice network troubleshooting and configuration
- Use online resources and tutorials to refresh your knowledge
- Complete practice exercises or quizzes
- Discuss networking concepts with peers or mentors
Form a study group with fellow students
Show steps
Collaborate with peers to reinforce concepts, discuss case studies, and share insights, fostering a supportive learning environment that enhances your understanding of penetration testing.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Reach out to classmates or join online forums
- Establish regular meeting times and schedules
- Create a shared document or workspace for notes and resources
- Take turns presenting on different topics
- Provide constructive feedback and support to each other
Compile a resource list for penetration testers
Show steps
Build a valuable repository of tools, techniques, and resources specifically tailored to penetration testing, providing you with quick access to the information you need when conducting assessments.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research and identify reputable sources of information
- Categorize and organize resources based on topic or tool type
- Include a variety of resources such as articles, tutorials, videos, and tools
- Document the resources and share them with others
- Regularly update the compilation with new and relevant resources
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Follow along with a penetration testing tutorial
Show steps
Gain hands-on experience by following step-by-step instructions from industry experts, reinforcing your knowledge of the pen testing process.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a reputable tutorial that aligns with your skill level
- Set up the necessary tools and environment
- Follow the tutorial steps carefully and take notes
- Experiment with different techniques and scenarios
- Share your learnings and ask questions in online forums
Test your skills with OWASP Top 20
Show steps
Practice identifying and exploiting common web application vulnerabilities to solidify your understanding of penetration testing methodology.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Familiarize yourself with the OWASP Top 20
- Set up a test environment
- Test for vulnerabilities using common tools and techniques
- Analyze results and identify potential risks
- Develop mitigation strategies
Design and implement a security assessment plan
Show steps
Apply your knowledge of penetration testing methodologies to develop a comprehensive security assessment plan, enhancing your ability to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities in real-world scenarios.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Define the scope and objectives of the assessment
- Gather information about the target systems and network
- Select and prioritize appropriate pen testing techniques
- Execute the assessment and document the findings
- Analyze the results and provide recommendations for remediation
Build your own penetration testing toolkit
Show steps
Enhance your practical skills by creating a customized toolkit tailored to your specific needs, ensuring you have the right tools for the job when conducting pen tests.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research and identify essential tools for each stage of the pen testing process
- Download, install, and configure the selected tools
- Create custom scripts or plugins to automate tasks
- Organize and document your toolkit for easy reference
- Test and evaluate the effectiveness of your toolkit
Contribute to an open-source pen testing project
Show steps
Gain real-world experience by contributing to the development and maintenance of open-source pen testing tools, enhancing your technical skills and understanding of the community.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify an open-source pen testing project that aligns with your interests
- Review the project documentation and codebase
- Identify areas where you can contribute
- Submit bug reports, feature requests, or code patches
- Engage with the project community and seek mentorship
Career center
Learners who complete Proactive Computer Security will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Cybersecurity Engineer
Cybersecurity Engineer
Cybersecurity Engineers design, implement, and maintain security measures for computer networks and systems. This course can help you build a foundation for success by teaching you about proactive and deterrent strategies, penetration testing methodologies, and security management. A background in proactive computer security is essential to be successful in this role.
Security Architect
Security Architect
Security Architects design and implement security measures to protect an organization's computer networks and systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course can help you build a foundation for success by teaching you about proactive and deterrent strategies, penetration testing methodologies, and security management. A background in proactive computer security is essential to be successful in this role.
Network Security Engineer
Network Security Engineer
Network Security Engineers design, implement, and maintain security measures for computer networks. This course can help you build a foundation for success by teaching you about proactive and deterrent strategies, penetration testing methodologies, and security management. A background in proactive computer security is essential to be successful in this role.
Security Researcher
Security Researcher
Security Researchers discover and analyze security vulnerabilities in computer networks and systems. This course can help you build a foundation for success by teaching you about penetration testing methodologies and proactive security management. A background in proactive computer security is essential to be successful in this role.
Ethical Hacker
Ethical Hacker
Ethical Hackers use their skills to identify and mitigate security vulnerabilities in computer networks and systems. This course can help you build a foundation for success by teaching you about penetration testing methodologies and proactive security management. A background in proactive computer security is essential to be successful in this role.
Information Security Analyst
Information Security Analyst
Information Security Analysts plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization's computer networks and systems. This course can help you build a foundation for success by teaching you about proactive and deterrent strategies, penetration testing methodologies, and security management. A background in proactive computer security is essential to be successful in this role.
Security Manager
Security Manager
Security Managers oversee the security of an organization's computer networks and systems. This course can help you build a foundation for success by teaching you about proactive and deterrent strategies, penetration testing methodologies, and security management. A background in proactive computer security is essential to be successful in this role.
Penetration Tester
Penetration Tester
Penetration Testers identify security vulnerabilities in computer networks and systems. This course can help you build a foundation for success by teaching you about penetration testing methodologies and tools. A background in proactive computer security is essential to be successful in this role.
Cybersecurity Analyst
Cybersecurity Analyst
Cybersecurity Analysts protect computer networks and systems from cyberattacks. This course can help you build a foundation for success by teaching you about proactive and deterrent strategies, penetration testing methodologies, and security management. A background in proactive computer security is essential to be successful in this role.
Computer Forensics Analyst
Computer Forensics Analyst
Computer Forensics Analysts investigate and analyze computer systems to uncover evidence of criminal activity. This course may be useful for building a foundation for this role by teaching you about penetration testing methodologies and proactive security management. A background in proactive computer security may also be helpful when investigating computer forensics.
Security Consultant
Security Consultant
Security Consultants help organizations to identify and mitigate security risks. This course may be useful for building a foundation for this role by teaching you about penetration testing methodologies and proactive security management. Experience with proactive computer security may also be helpful when consulting with clients.
Incident Responder
Incident Responder
Incident Responders investigate and respond to security incidents. This course may be useful for building a foundation for this role by teaching you about proactive and deterrent strategies, penetration testing methodologies, and security management. A background in proactive computer security may also be helpful when responding to incidente.
IT Auditor
IT Auditor
IT Auditors evaluate the security of computer networks and systems. This course may be useful for building a foundation for this role by teaching you about penetration testing methodologies and proactive security management. A background in proactive computer security may also be helpful when auditing IT systems.
Data Protection Officer
Data Protection Officer
Data Protection Officers ensure that an organization's data is protected from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course may be useful for building a foundation for this role by teaching you about proactive and deterrent strategies, penetration testing methodologies, and security management. A background in proactive computer security may also be helpful when protecting data.
Privacy Engineer
Privacy Engineer
Privacy Engineers design and implement measures to protect an organization's privacy. This course may be useful for building a foundation for this role by teaching you about proactive and deterrent strategies, penetration testing methodologies, and security management. A background in proactive computer security may also be helpful when protecting privacy.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/be6v57/proactive
Reading list
We've selected seven books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Proactive Computer Security.
Save
Has been used as a textbook in computer science and information technology programs at Purdue University, Villanova University, and other institutions.
This second edition of The Hacker Playbook expands on the highly successful previous version by providing hands-on penetration testing walkthroughs.
Is written by Kevin Mitnick, a well-known security consultant and former hacker, and William L. Simon, a journalist and author specializing in computer security.
This book comprehensive guide to finding and exploiting security flaws in web applications.
This book practical guide to network security assessment.
Although it's a more general resource, this book provides a good overview of penetration testing.
Save
This is a textbook that is commonly used in computer science and information technology programs at university level.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/be6v57/proactive
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Rating
4.6
Effort
Approx. 11 hours
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Colorado System
Instructor
Greg Williams
Language
English
Transcripts
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This course belongs to a
collection
called
Cybersecurity for Business. It's comprised of four courses:
- Introduction to Cybersecurity for Business
- Proactive Computer Security (viewing)
- Detecting and Mitigating Cyber Threats and Attacks
- Cyber Threats and Attack Vectors
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