Secure design is a crucial consideration within software development. It helps to guarantee that systems are reliable, trustworthy and properly functioning.

This two-week course offers you the chance to equip yourself with a range of techniques for the design and implementation of secure systems. You’ll have the chance to explore secure programming principles, investigate how formal modelling can be incorporated into the development process, and review options for managing secure system development.

Implement robust security operation practices

In the first week of this course, you’ll have the opportunity to learn the principles of secure programming. You’ll build your understanding of layered security and the principles of secure programming, and will be able to discuss how these apply to real-world systems. This week also covers potential implementation errors, providing you with a list of common pitfalls and vulnerabilities.

Apply core security technologies within your system

You’ll familiarise yourself with a variety of core security technologies, such as encryption, different authentication techniques, and access control. Once you’ve covered the basics, you’ll be able to develop secure systems using these tools and experiment with your system’s functionality.

Upon completion of this course, you’ll have a sound understanding of the principles and technologies used in secure programming, ready to try them out and build your knowledge so you can carry out ongoing security tests and maintenance.

What topics will you cover?

Implementing secure systems
Managing secure system development

Prove you're job ready

Highlight the new, job-relevant skills you’ve gained and supplement existing qualifications with a hard-earned, industry-specific digital certificate – plus one for every course within your ExpertTrack.

Learn the latest in your chosen industry or subject.
Complete each course and pass assessments.
Receive certificates validated by the educating organisation.
Impress employers with learning outcomes you can add to your CV.
Make your career dreams a reality.

Download a PDF

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Explain the principles of secure programming and its application in real world systems
Explore implementation errors and exploits
Experiment with a system’s functioning using formal models
Apply a range of core security technologies (eg access control, encryption, authentication techniques)
Develop secure systems using the respective tools

Who is the course for?

This ExpertTrack is suited to people looking to increase their understanding of software development lifecycle and security considerations. It has been designed for security analysts, security architects, software developers, and aspiring security specialists.

Who developed the course?

Coventry University

Coventry secured 5 QS Stars for Teaching and Online Learning in the QS World University Ranking 2020 and has received No. 1 in the world for Massive Open Online Courses in MoocLab’s World University Ranking 2021.

Established
1992
Location
Coventry

About this ExpertTrack

Learn the principles of information system security design and their impact on secure systems.

Find out more

Start learning today - free 7-day trial

After your free trial you can:

Pay $39 per month to keep learning online
Have complete control over your subscription; you can cancel any time
Work at your own pace and set your own deadlines at every stage
Only pay while you’re learning; the subscription will cancel automatically when you finish
Complete online assessments to test your knowledge and prove your skills
Earn digital course certificates and a final award that you can share online, with potential employers, and your professional network
Keep access to the content of courses you complete even after your subscription ends

Start your free 7-day trial

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn