Online ExpertTrack in IT & Computer Science

Information Security Design and Development

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

Created by

Coventry UniversityCoventry University

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Understand the importance of developing secure systems

This course will introduce some cyber security principles and equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to evaluate systems for their security. You’ll also learn how to check that analysis against appropriate security profiles.

Over the five courses in this ExpertTrack, you will familiarise yourself with the security controls used to prevent, detect, and recover from security violations at different stages of the system’s life cycle. You’ll understand how these controls are implemented, and learn how to apply formal analysis techniques to check if systems meet the necessary security standards.

Whether you currently work in IT security or are looking to perform a system analysis at your business, you’ll have the opportunity to learn some key skills in software analysis and testing, as well as secure system development. ##Contextualise cyber security in the software development life cycle In the first course, you will discover the importance of secure system design and how a security-first mindset can improve the software development process. You’ll learn how to examine security in the software development life cycle and discuss the legal and ethical aspects of secure systems.

Apply robust techniques for system analysis and design

As you work your way through the courses, you’ll become well acquainted with system analysis and secure design techniques. You’ll focus on design principles that will improve a system’s security and learn to apply secure design principles to mitigate potential security threats and vulnerabilities.

Enhance and audit information system security

During the latter half of this ExpertTrack, you’ll learn core cyber security practices and techniques that are used in secure design. You’ll discover a range of techniques and methods to ensure the implementation of secure systems.

Once you’ve understood those mechanics, you’ll explore a range of testing and verification techniques used to evaluate system security and function.

Upon successful completion of this ExpertTrack, you should have the skills and confidence to analyse, test, and design security requirements to fit a variety of profiles. You’ll also understand the current issues facing secure development and how to mitigate against them.

Industry statistics

  • UK job openings/month

    3,000
  • Job satisfaction

    4.0/5

Key skills you will learn

  • Software analysis
  • Software testing
  • Implementing secure systems
  • Secure system development
  • Secure design principles
  • Detecting system threats
  • Preventing system threats
  • Software development

Learning outcomes

By the end of the ExpertTrack, you’ll be able to...

  • Evaluate a range of platforms for systems and applications, against standards and methodologies for secure development, incorporating issues raised by the legal and ethical context of the development, such as IP law, privacy and data-protection
  • Identify different secure development methodologies
  • Identify how to implement secure principles and test against software security and quality guidelines
  • Investigate existing software, using methods such as code review, static and dynamic analyses
  • Apply formal methods to different stages of the system development life-cycle such as system specification, design, development and testing

Experience required

This course has been created for learners with a strong understanding of cyber security, software development, or CS - professional experience may be useful in understanding the underlying concepts, and a relevant degree is recommended to ensure that you benefit from this ExpertTrack.

Getting started

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.

ExpertTrack course overview

  • Course 1

    Examine security in the software development life cycle and discuss the legal and ethical aspects of secure systems.

    1 test

    1 peer-graded assignment

    2 weeks

    5 hours per week

    • Week 1

      System Development Life Cycle
      • Welcome to Short Course 1
      • History of system development and security
      • Basic security primitives and methods 
      • Summary
    • Week 2

      Legal and Ethical Considerations
      • Welcome to Week 2
      • Security standards in system development
      • Legal and ethical considerations
      • Summary
  • Course 2

    Learn the fundamental methods and techniques of system analysis and secure design.

    1 test

    2 weeks

    5 hours per week

    • Week 1

      Applying Secure Design Principles
      • Welcome to Short Course 2
      • Identifying system threats, vulnerabilities and risks
      • Core secure design principles
      • Summary
    • Week 2

      Applying Formal Methods
      • Welcome to Week 2
      • Introduction to formal specification
      • Introduction to formal modelling
      • Summary
  • Course 3

    Acquire core security practices and techniques applied to the secure development of systems.

    1 peer-graded assignment

    2 weeks

    5 hours per week

    • Week 1

      Implementing Secure Systems
      • Welcome to Short Course 3
      • Principles of secure programming
      • Considering layers of security and operational practices
      • Robust operation practices
      • Summary
    • Week 2

      Managing Secure System Development
      • Welcome to Week 2
      • Hazard analysis in system development
      • Managing the development of secure systems
      • Summary
  • Course 4

    Familiarise yourself with various testing and verification techniques used to test system security and function.

    1 peer-graded assignment

    2 weeks

    5 hours per week

    • Week 1

      Testing Practices for Secure Systems
      • Welcome to Short Course 4
      • System and software testing
      • Summary
    • Week 2

      Formal Verification
      • Welcome to Week 2
      • Formal verification
      • State space analysis
      • Summary
  • Course 5

    Discuss and examine current limitations of secure design and development.

    1 peer-graded assignment

    2 weeks

    5 hours per week

    • Week 1

      Revision Part 1
      • Welcome to Short Course 5
      • Legislation revision
      • Security standards revision
      • System Development Lifecycle revision
      • Secure design principles revision
      • Formal modelling revision
      • Summary
    • Week 2

      Revision Part 2
      • Welcome to Week 2
      • Secure programming principles revision
      • Hazard analysis revision
      • Formal verification techniques revision
      • Model checking and Computation Tree Logic revision
      • Summary

Prove you're job ready

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  • Make your career dreams a reality.

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World-class learning with 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

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