Cloud Computing Security from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Cloud Computing Basics

In this module, we learn about the basics of cloud computing using AWS EC2 as an example, including the resources provided by the public cloud, the pricing structures related to the resource usages in computing, storage, and networking services, and their trade-offs, the basic operations of setting up account.

Secure Server Configuration and Integrated Access Management

In this module, we learn how to sign up AWS account, create/configure/manage AWS EC2 instances, access them and configure the Linux operating system, Apache web server, MySQL database, and PHP server side scripting support. We also learn how to follow the best security practice to create user accounts with different privileges using AWS IAM service. We learn how to use AWS Command Line Interface to create AWS EC2 instances and control AWS Resources. It allows for programming control of the EC2 instances.

Utilize Route53 DNS

In this module, we learn AWS' highly available and scalable cloud DNS web service and how to set up a domain for an organization/company using AWS Route53 service, create DNS entries for an instance, and understand the advanced Geoproximity Routing With Traffic Biasing.

AWS Load Balancer

In this module, we learn how to utilize the AWS load balancer support to create load balancing clusters to provide high available services based on round robin and customize rules with header content. We learn how to create application load balancer to distribute http requests to target groups with instances, and configure the health check mechanism so that the load balancing can avoid unhealthy or unresponsive instances. We also learn show to debug the common mistake of AWS load balancing configuration due to the misconfiguration of the security group in the target instances. The cost formula related to the usage of AWS load balancing service are also covered.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops skills related to cloud computing using Amazon Web Services (AWS), including the basics of setting up an account, configuring instances, managing users with access management GUI, setting up DNS entries, and utilizing load balancing features

Emphasizes the best practices in cloud security and debugging service interaction issues that may arise in cloud systems

Suitable for programmers or operators with basic knowledge of AWS or cloud computing concepts

May require additional knowledge or experience in Linux operating systems, web server configuration, and database management

Taught by Edward Chow, an experienced professional in the field of cloud computing

Provides hands-on practice through the creation of a web cluster with MySQL databases, user accounts, and load balancing configurations

Reviews summary

Comprehensive cloud security

Learners say overall that Cloud Computing Security is a good course that covers the basics of cloud computing security, especially AWS. While some found the course to be informative, others were not impressed with the readings and assignments.

Provides a solid foundation in cloud computing and security.

"good basic course on cloud computing and basic security configuration on AWS"

"covered all the basics for AWS"

Assignments not consistently graded.

"No one is monitoring the course, so the assignments are not being graded."

Some readings are considered unnecessary.

"some very long and unnecessary readings IMO"

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 Cloud Computing Security with these activities:

Complete the AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification Course

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Earning the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification demonstrates your foundational knowledge of AWS cloud services and best practices. This certification will complement your coursework well.

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Enroll in an online or in-person AWS Cloud Practitioner certification course.
Study the course materials and take practice exams.
Schedule and take the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification exam.

Review Networking Basics

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Understanding networking concepts will help you build and manage cloud infrastructure effectively.

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Review the OSI model and the TCP/IP protocol suite.
Learn about different types of network topologies and routing protocols.
Practice configuring virtual private clouds (VPCs) in AWS.

Attend Local Cloud Computing Meetups or Conferences

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Attending local events will help you connect with other people in the cloud computing field and stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies.

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Find local cloud computing meetups or conferences.
Attend the events and actively participate in discussions.
Network with other attendees and exchange knowledge and experiences.

Four other activities

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Practice Setting up AWS EC2 Instances

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Setting up EC2 instances on AWS can be a bit complex, but with practice, you will become more efficient and confident.

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Follow the AWS documentation and tutorials on setting up EC2 instances.
Create multiple EC2 instances with different configurations (e.g., instance type, operating system, networking).
Practice setting up security groups and access control for the instances.
Create and manage snapshots and AMIs of your instances.
Practice troubleshooting common issues with EC2 instances.

Follow AWS Best Practices for Cloud Security

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Cloud security is a critical aspect of cloud computing. Following best practices will help you build a more secure cloud infrastructure.

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Review the AWS Security Best Practices documentation.
Identify the key security principles and controls for cloud computing platforms.
Implement AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) to control access to your cloud resources.
Configure network security groups and firewalls to protect your instances from unauthorized access.
Use encryption to protect data stored in the cloud.

Create Cloud Infrastructure for a Project

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Building your own cloud infrastructure for a project will give you a hands-on understanding of how the different components of cloud computing work together.

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Identify a small-scale project that requires the use of cloud infrastructure.
Design the architecture of the cloud infrastructure, including the number and type of instances, the networking configuration, and the security measures.
Create the cloud infrastructure on AWS using EC2 instances and other necessary services.
Configure the load balancer to distribute traffic across the instances.
Test and monitor the infrastructure to ensure that it meets the performance and reliability requirements of the project.

Contribute to Cloud Computing Open-Source Projects

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Contributing to open-source projects will not only enhance your skills but also give you valuable hands-on experience with real-world cloud computing technologies.

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Find open-source projects related to cloud computing that interest you.
Review the project documentation and codebase.
Identify areas where you can contribute, such as bug fixes, feature enhancements, or documentation improvements.
Fork the project and create a branch for your changes.
Implement your changes and submit a pull request to the main project repository.

Career center

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

Cloud Architect

Cloud Architects implement and manage cloud computing solutions for businesses. This course can help prepare you for this role by teaching you essential cloud computing concepts such as AWS EC2 instances, user account management, domain registration, load balancing, and debugging service interaction issues.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Architect

Cloud Security Engineer

Cloud Security Engineers design and implement security measures to protect cloud computing systems and data. This course can help you gain the skills needed for this role by teaching you about cloud security best practices, user account management with different privileges, and debugging service interaction issues.

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DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineers use automation tools to improve the software development and delivery process. This course can help you develop the skills needed for this role by teaching you about cloud computing basics, AWS EC2 instance management, scripting, and load balancing.

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Cloud Engineer

Cloud Engineers design, build, and manage cloud computing environments. This course can help you gain the skills needed for this role by teaching you about cloud computing basics, AWS EC2 instance management, user account management, and load balancing.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. This course can help you gain the skills needed for this role by teaching you about cloud computing basics, AWS EC2 instance management, scripting, and load balancing.

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Systems Administrator

Systems Administrators manage and maintain computer systems and networks. This course can help you gain the skills needed for this role by teaching you about cloud computing basics, AWS EC2 instance management, user account management, and load balancing.

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Network Engineer

Network Engineers design, build, and maintain computer networks. This course can help you gain the skills needed for this role by teaching you about cloud computing basics, AWS EC2 instance management, and load balancing.

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Database Administrator

Database Administrators manage and maintain databases. This course can help you gain the skills needed for this role by teaching you about cloud computing basics, AWS EC2 instance management, and MySQL database configuration.

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Web Developer

Web Developers design and develop websites and web applications. This course can help you gain the skills needed for this role by teaching you about cloud computing basics, AWS EC2 instance management, Apache web server configuration, and PHP server side scripting.

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Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts protect computer systems and networks from unauthorized access and attacks. This course can help you gain the skills needed for this role by teaching you about cloud security best practices and debugging service interaction issues.

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IT Manager

IT Managers plan, implement, and manage information technology systems for businesses. This course can help you gain the skills needed for this role by teaching you about cloud computing basics, AWS EC2 instance management, and user account management.

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IT Auditor

IT Auditors assess the security and effectiveness of information technology systems. This course can help you gain the skills needed for this role by teaching you about cloud security best practices and debugging service interaction issues.

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Project Manager

Project Managers plan, execute, and close projects. This course may be useful for Project Managers who are working on cloud computing projects by teaching them about cloud computing basics and AWS EC2 instance management.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze business needs and develop solutions to improve business processes. This course may be useful for Business Analysts who are working on cloud computing projects by teaching them about cloud computing basics and AWS EC2 instance management.

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Product Manager

Product Managers develop and manage products. This course may be useful for Product Managers who are working on cloud computing products by teaching them about cloud computing basics and AWS EC2 instance management.

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